Katney's Kaboodle

Headbangers--Simply Light

2012-02-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

What shall I choose? Headbangers' theme Simply Light? Not only do I have to choose something that will well illustrate the theme, but it will also have to fit into the elongated rectangle which I insist on using for my header. The lights at Safeco Field--"The Safe"--when we went to a Mariners game last summer might do.

Or how about a different meaning of light? This feather is light.

And what lighter than the ubiquitous dandelion fluff.

But no, I have something even better to represent this theme. It is a classic interpretation and I think you will like it.

ABC Wednesday--C is for

2012-01-31T09:00:00.000-08:00

What incredible timing that just ready for ABC Wednesday reaching the letter C in the tenth round I have:

A cowgirl

A cowboy

Cows and a cattledog

along with News Cameras to record

A Cattle Drive

I teased the two young reporters that if they were going to stand side by side to film the event, then their two competing stations would have identical images. They laughed, and said "Just don't tell the boss." The news car from the third local station came rushing up after the drive took its break and were off down the road again. That station broadcast pictures of the rear ends of the last of the cows going around the bend.

We became aware of the cattle drive, an annual event which takes the herd down out of one range area back to the ranch, by listening to the radio report from a traffic advisory sign the previous day. While most people hearing that report might plan an alternative route to avoid delays, my reaction was to get my camera and get going.

We found that we weren't the only ones choosing the Big Pines Recreation Area as a vantage point. It sits halfway on the route between milepost 7 Burbank Creek Rd. and milepost 13 Eaton Ranch.

I parked my sit-upon on one of those big rocks and checked out my view. Nothing yet on the road.

And then we saw them, called out to the others below in the parking area--come on, here they come.

Led by a pickup. An older woman in the back tossed out some hay from time to time if the herd was faltering. Ranch women do not retire--marrying a rancher is a lifetime commitment, not just to the marriage, but to the ranch.

Riders ahead of the herd were checking out the best place to come down into the rest area. When we chose Big Pines, we didn't realize we would be sharing the rest and recreation area with the herd.

The route selected, they turned to direct the cattle.

This way.

OK, here we come.

All of us.

"Hey, Elsie. Do you know where we are supposed to go now?"

Here are some of the cars that did not listen to the traffic advisory experiencing some delay.

"Hey Elsie, did you know we were going to have a picnic here?"

Time to move on.

Back up to the road and on to the ranch.

Odd Shot in the Snow

2012-01-29T15:00:00.000-08:00

When you are tired of plain ordinary snowmen, here is an idea.

Sunday's Psalm--Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

2012-01-28T20:44:00.000-08:00

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the rock of our salvation.
Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
"Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,

Where your fathers tempted me;
they tested me though they had seen my works."
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Headbangers--Surprise!

2012-01-25T11:04:00.000-08:00

Whose turn is it to choose the theme for the Headbangers this week?

Surprise! It's your turn. It wasn't really but once again some switching around had been done and it truly was a surprise to me. And the team really had to be informed, so what better theme under the circumstances than "Surprise!"

And honestly, I had no idea what to post in my header for the theme. And almost no better idea this morning as I prepared my ABC Wednesday post below. (Dave, if you are reading this, you had better scroll down to the next post as it is at your request.)

As I did that post I remembered how surprised I was as that balloon rose directly over our heads. Why was I surprised? What did I expect? Not sure, but I do know I was not expecting this blast right then. Did you know that the blast of the heaters is quite loud? Maybe that is what was surprising.

I cropped it to fit my header style. It might do.

Then the weekend came and after a movie (Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close with it's theme based around someone lost in the World Trade Center on 9/11 could have been maudlin, but it is instead quite awesome. See it.) I digress, after the movie we finally had a chance to try the new Texas Roadhouse restaurant --earlier visits either found them closed because we were too early, or with an hour and a half wait time on New Year's Day. We were enjoying quite delicious kabobs and hearing several birthday celebrations around the room when

Dope slap!!!

DUH!!

It's hubby's birthday (well, not quite but the Monday.)

So I got up to go to the Ladies' Room. Well, that's what hubby thought, and I didn't lie, I did go. But on my way I nabbed our waitress and told her, and so, in a few minutes here they came with a saddle on a sawhorse. "Huh, what's this? I don't understand." I really got him. I really got him.

So:

Which was the best surprise possible and I am glad that I caught it with my new cell phone. I texted it to my daughter who e-mailed it to me, which is pretty much the only way to get pictures off the stupid phone.

I am glad that I got a picture, but it is truly a lousy picture that I will not use in my header. I have my standards as to the quality of my header photos and the shape of them. I insist that the header does not take up so much space that you can't see the start of the posts below.

So I still needed a surprise header. What surprises recently? Surprise, it's a cancer of the blood! No, not quite right for a header. Surprise, it snowed? No, that doesn't work. Snow is not that much of a surprise. An upside down snowman was cute--hubby is taking a picture of it for me today as it is in the next town and he has errands there. I will save it for my next Odd Shot--unless the message comes back, surprise, it melted.

So a happy surprise for me last year was an invitation to join hundreds of TCs from across the world at Google Headquarters for a Summit. Wow! You know, you get all sorts of scams and spams in e-mail--most filtered out by the spam filters. But no, this was legit. And so, my representation of my surprise in the header, the Google bikes that employees (known as googlers) ride when they have to go from one part of the Googleplex to another. Googlers, unlike myself, are young and fit. And so these surprising bikes represent my surprising invitation. Thanks Google!

I have to add the surprising comment when my four year old granddaughter asked me why my T-Shirt said Google on it. I told her it was a souvenir from when I visited Google. Her surprising reaction? GRANDMA, you can't go to Google. It's in the computer!

Oh, by the way, check on the other headbangers and see what surprised them. Their links are in my sidebar.

ABC-Wednesday B is for

2012-01-25T10:22:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, when I used the photographers at the Prosser Balloon Rally last September for my Photograph the Photographer header, headbanger Dave (who was the one who found nine photographers in the shot) commented: It'll be interesting to see all the balloons in flight that these avid photographers are taking pictures of.

So, Dave, here you are. I don't think I have ever put quite this many photos in one post before, but they show why so many photographers were so intent. If you ever get a chance to go to a balloon rally, don't forget your camera.

ABC Wednesday Round Ten--B is for Balloons--the hot air kind--in abundance.

We begin with the balloon laid out carefully on a tarp. I followed this balloon through its inflation and launch, and was surprised to realize that it was the first to rise.

fasten the vents

check everything

top

the light of the heat blast

Hold on

Airborne

another blast

neighbor's up now too

rising

did you notice how small those baskets are? (Couldn't help it--another B)

overhead

keep the hot air coming

Other balloons join the first.

There are some of our photographers.

So, as I say, if you go to a balloon rally, take the camera. Photograph the Photographers, and don't forget to photograph the balloons. As if you could forget. In fact, if you weren't planning on going to a balloon rally, find one. It's fascinating. And you will have a B for the next round of ABC Wednesday.

Odd Shot--sign fun

2012-01-22T16:25:00.000-08:00

We saw quite a few fun signs when we walked around in Virginia City, Nevada this last November.

This is my last Odd Shot from that trip. I will have to start watching around for a new shot for next week.

Have fun with your odd shots.

Sunday's Psalm--Third sunday in Ordinary Time

2012-01-21T19:30:00.000-08:00

Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;

teach me your paths,

Guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my savior.

Teach me your ways, O Lord.

Remember that your compassion,

O LORD,

and your love are from of old.

In your kindness remember me,

because of your goodness,

O LORD.

Teach me your ways,

O Lord.

Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice
and teaches the humble his way.

Teach me your ways, O Lord.

from Psalm 25

Visit Daily Athens for other illustrated Psalms.

Well, here again, ABC Wednesday, Wednesday Blackout, and Headbangers Challenge merge

2012-01-17T15:17:00.000-08:00

First of all, it is almost Wednesday, and all over the internet there are folks who have made their sites go black to protest the American House of Representatives' SOPA bill. Monday it was announced that that bill had been effectively killed. We still have PIPA in the Senate, but the fact is that some forms of protest seem rather ineffective, and blacking out the blog seems one of them. Although I suppose it might bring awareness of the issue to the surfing public.

I don't remember what SOPA stands for, but PIPA is the Prevent Internet Piracy Act. The doom and gloom crowd declare that it would effectively destroy the Internet as we know it. More moderate minds are skeptical. But it is a good thing to be informed, so look it up--but not on Wikipedia, because it will be blacked out.

ABC Wednesday enters round ten with the letter A. I left Round Nine with the Zoo, and since the Headbangers theme announced by Fishing guy is "Look at this ( ) Animal", I will go back to the zoos (and parks) for more favorite animals.

hoary marmot

Some animals from Mt. Rainier National Park. You have probably seen many of these pictures before if you have hung out here for long.

black bear

doe and fawns

frog

This photo is not zoomed in. She is right there at my elbow. This little beggar hangs out at Second Burroughs Mountain to see what hikers she can talk into sharing their lunch. Not a good thing, as hiker lunches are not the best food for Golden Mantle Squirrels, and becoming dependent on hiker food dulls the food foraging skills for when the hikers are no longer there.

And now a couple of Zoo visits--mostly from the San Francisco Zoo trip in fall of 2010.

red lemur

I don't know what this bird is, other than a show off.

and talk about show offs!

What a poser!


Can you call these tortoises at the Phoenix Zoo lovebirds?

But ready to go into the header--

"Look at this (family of ) animals":

Baby Hasani again, and his adoptive mother Bawang. He was about a year old when we visited them.

For the best ever animal header in the blogosphere, visit Max-E in South Africa. I love going to his blog even when he hasn't updated for a while, just for the header shot. Scroll through and see some of his adventures as well.

Last Week's Headbanger's Conclusion

2012-01-17T14:00:00.000-08:00

Putting the number of photographers to rest, I think I found the other three that Dave found last week.

And we'll call that a wrap!

Odd Shot

2012-01-15T15:00:00.000-08:00

Only Odd because this was the meerkat enclosure.

The meerkats did eventually show up.

Sunday's Psalm--Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

2012-01-14T19:30:00.000-08:00

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

I have waited, waited for the LORD,
and he stooped toward me and heard my cry.
And he put a new song into my mouth,
a hymn to our God.

Here am I, Lord;

I come to do your will.

Sacrifice or offering you wished not,
but ears open to obedience you gave me.
Holocausts or sin-offerings you sought not;
then said I, "Behold I come."

Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.

"In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
to do your will, O my God, is my delight,
and your law is within my heart!"

Here am I, Lord;
I come to do your will.

I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.

Here am I, Lord;
I come to do your will.

from Psalm 40

Headbangers: part trois

2012-01-12T20:00:00.000-08:00

As promised, here are the six that I found identified. Dave says he found nine. I will have to blow it up and look again.

Headbangers: part deux

2012-01-11T12:56:00.000-08:00

Okay, visiting the headbangers reminded me of other Photographing the Photographers images I have in my files. Tom--the Fishing Guy had a funhouse mirror. We encountered one in Edinburgh on the Royal Mile.

Imac had two shots of people bending back to get a shot of family in a touristy spot. Here is my daughter doing the same at Mt. St. Helens a couple of years ago.

Part trois will show you all six of the photographers in the header photo in case you haven't found them. I'm leaving the mystery till after the voting.

BTW, you will find the other headbangers linked in my sidebar. Give them a visit.

Headbangers: Photograph the Photographer

2012-01-10T22:37:00.000-08:00

I thought for sure I knew what I was going to use as soon as Imac announced the Headbangers' theme for this week: Photograph the Photographers. This summer my husband decided that he too wanted a camera. So our first trek out he was taking pictures left and right.

Or maybe I could somehow include the one, the only Imac himself:

Or be a bit narcissistic and use this one I got playing with my new phone.

But then I got to poking around for some other stuff and realized that if you want to photograph the photographers, then you need to go to a photogenic event. And last September I once again went to the Prosser Balloon Rally--a very photogenic event. And where you have a photogenic event, you find a swarm of photographers.

So here is one photographer:

Here are two photographers (One is at the far left in the distance snapping the green and black balloon):

Here are three photographers:

And heading into the header--how many photographers can you find in this one?

I count at least [ six. ] Highlight the space between the brackets to see my answer. Do you see them? Can you see more than that?

ABC Revisiting Z

2012-01-10T16:02:00.000-08:00

Coming to the end of our ABC Wednesday revisits, we have come to Z in Round 9. Round 10 will be coming up next week and we start again with A. I found ABC Wednesday at the start of Round 2, so have been doing this for four years.

This round was revisiting places I have been, so here are Zebras from two Zoos. The one above in Phoenix last November, and the one below joining his giraffe friends at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo a few years ago is the same one as the one at the top. I think. They do rather resemble each other don't they?

At the San Francisco Zoo in 2010 we saw the gorillas, including baby Hasani below, who was not quite two years old. I wonder how big he is now.

This young orangutan was at the Phoenix Zoo this fall. Dad is seen below.

Seeing double in Phoenix.

Giraffes are a favorite of mine and feeding them in Seattle was a special treat for my birthday. (The group in the top are in Phoenix and the mug shots below are from San Francisco.)

Odd Shot

2012-01-08T15:00:00.000-08:00

Endangered Species Carrousel

I wonder how many dragon horses remain in the wild.

Share your odd shot here and visit other odd shotters.

Sunday's Psalm--The Epiphany of the Lord

2012-01-07T19:00:00.000-08:00

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

O God, with your judgment endow the king,
and with your justice, the king's son;
He shall govern your people with justice
and your afflicted ones with judgment.

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

Justice shall flower in his days,
and profound peace, till the moon be no more.
May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

The kings of Tarshish and the Isles shall offer gifts;
the kings of Arabia and Seba shall bring tribute.
All kings shall pay him homage,
all nations shall serve him.

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

For he shall rescue the poor when he cries out,
and the afflicted when he has no one to help him.
He shall have pity for the lowly and the poor;
the lives of the poor he shall save.

Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.

from Psalm 72
Visit Daily Athens where others who illustrate psalms in their blogs link.

ABC Wednesday Revisiting Y

2012-01-04T21:20:00.001-08:00

Does this remind you of the the James Herriot series All Creatures Great and Small? I can just picture him driving that old car to this farm in Yorkshire to care for these sheep.

Find ABC Wednesday here,

and if you haven't played before,

a new round will be starting in two weeks.

Time for the Headbangers--New Beginnings

2012-01-04T12:07:00.000-08:00

Our headbangers theme this week is New Beginnings -- theme provided by Chris.

I wandered through the photos collected just on my laptop during the last year looking for one certain type of picture--which I did not find. But I did find quite a few others that might fit the bill.

A new moon.


The blooming of the anemone announces the beginning of a new hiking season.

Beginning a new adventure at the Balloon Rally


New baby Komodo Dragons at the Phoenix Zoo.


Dawn of a new day while visiting my brother.

Finally settling on this header image which should signal a new beginning to anyone who sees it.

But let me announce another New Beginning--

my new blog Reflecting Daily launched January 1.

New Year's Resolution in an Odd Shot

2012-01-01T15:00:00.000-08:00

We saw this distracting message several times as we drove through the Reno, Nevada area recently. I put away the camera as soon as I got the shot. (Actually, I was not driving, so it was okay.) It has a good point!!!

Please resolve to not answer your cell phone while driving this year...but remember that the cell phone is not the only distraction. Quit fiddling with the radio dials on the freeway... If you have to discipline the kids, pull off...Eating while driving? I do, but I am very careful about what I pick up in the drive through--some foods just do not lend themselves to multitasking. And after all, multitasking is not a good idea while driving.

Okay, down off my soapbox, but I want to keep what readers I do have, so resolve to stay safe and post an Odd Shot every week. ☺

Sunday's Psalm--Octave of the Nativity

2011-12-31T19:30:00.000-08:00

May God bless us in his mercy.

May God have pity on us and bless us;

may he let his face shine upon us.

So may your way be known upon earth;

among all nations, your salvation.

May God bless us in his mercy.

May the nations be glad and exult

because you rule the peoples in equity;

the nations on the earth you guide.

May God bless us in his mercy.

May the peoples praise you, O God;
may all the peoples praise you!
May God bless us,
and may all the ends of the earth fear him!

May God bless us in his mercy.

from Psalm 67

Between the X-s

2011-12-27T20:24:00.000-08:00

An ABC Wednesday X and a Headbanger theme wrapped into one.

Let's start with the X. The crossed poles on the snowshoe route form the letter X. Well, sort of anyway. That's the best you will get out of me this week. ABC Wednesday has reached the letter X and it is always problematical.

Now for the Headbangers--you will find the members of the group listed on the sidebar. We choose a theme each week and set our headers to reflect that theme. This week it was my turn to choose, and I chose "Between" since we are between holidays. When I suggested it I had no idea what I would use.

In case you didn't notice, the tracks of the snowshoes go between the X-s. There is a reason. If you don't go BETWEEN the X-ed poles, you will fall into the creek. And so, my hubby follows the tracks to approach the X-s.

A lovely day on the mountain--BETWEEN some days of less pleasant weather.

Is he gorgeous or what?

2011-12-27T08:35:00.000-08:00


Cascade Red Fox

As beautiful as he is, he has a sad story. He is wearing a collar with a GPS as he is participating in a research study. Information about the study is here. The researchers are investigating the behavior of this rare species of fox around humans.

This guy was seen along side the road, and as three cars stopped in a convenient pull-out, he posed for the camera (this is a zoom shot.) The other two cars were observing quietly. No one was offering food, and he was not (yet) begging.

Then, he crossed the road and approached one of the cars. They were not falling for the begging act, just watching this beautiful creature. But he was obviously expecting a handout because of past experience.

When I showed them the picture on the camera, rangers asked me if anyone was feeding him. Not in this group. Apparently the previous day someone fed one of the foxes a whole box of cookies.

Now, I love cookies as much as the rest of us, and chips, and all that stuff. In moderation. Think about a few cookies and a few chips for someone our size. And think about a whole box of cookies for our friend here.

Keep wildlife wild!

A Christmas Oddshot

2011-12-25T15:00:00.000-08:00

A Christmas dichotomy

We discern that there were three kings because the Gospel of Matthew mentions three gifts.

But what if there were more.....?

Gold, frankincense, myrrh and....?

Gaspar, Melchior, Balthasar and......."Tweety"?

A Psalm for Christmas

2011-12-24T22:01:00.000-08:00

Today is born our Savior,

Christ the Lord.

Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;

let the sea and what fills it resound;

let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!

Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.

Today is born our Savior,

Christ the Lord.

from Psalm 96

Don't forget to visit those participating in the Robert's Psalm Challenge. You can find them at Daily Athens.

ABC W is for Winter

2011-12-21T21:35:00.000-08:00

Veering from the revisiting theme I've been following for this round of ABC Wednesday, here is "Mr. Antenna Ball" in his Wintery Weather Wear. A bit of snow followed the freezing frost which provided his apparel, but the forecast for the Weekend is sunshine.

A Headbanger's Christmas

2011-12-21T19:16:00.000-08:00

Of course the theme this week is Christmas--theme announced by Headbanger Dave. I've just been around to see and there is a lovely collection of Christmas to be viewed among the headbangers. Visit them from the links in my sidebar.

Here in my header is a scene from this afternoon's Christmas Pageant rehearsal when all are gathered. Joseph looks a little bored, but once he and Mary get to the front of the church, there is not much for him to do.

I'm a bit late as I was out with my friend Christmas shopping and returned home in time for rehearsal. I have finished the little lamb capes and the little lambs made their masks during rehearsal time tonight. I must make one more star robe before the last dress rehearsal Friday and pick up a nice gold cord for Angel Gabriel's belt.

Odd Door or Odd Tree??? My Odd Shot for the Week.

2011-12-18T16:13:00.000-08:00

My niece Lynne confirms that this tree is odd. Or that the front door of their cabin is odd. Although an person can enter or leave through it, if he is carrying anything at all he had better go around through the back.

What oddity will you find just outside your door this week?

Be sure to visit other Odd Shot posters who link, and leave a comment. Merry Christmas.

Sunday's Psalm--Fourth Sunday of Advent

2011-12-17T19:00:00.000-08:00

For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

The promises of the LORD I will sing forever;

through all generations my mouth shall proclaim your faithfulness.

For you have said, "My kindness is established forever";

in heaven you have confirmed your faithfulness.

For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

"I have made a covenant with my chosen one,

I have sworn to David my servant:

Forever will I confirm your posterity

and establish your throne for all generations."

For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

"He shall say of me, 'You are my father,

my God, the Rock, my savior.'

Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,

and my covenant with him stands firm."

For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

from Psalm 89

Others also illustrate psalms on Sunday. You an find them linked at

Daily Athens. Thank you, Robert, for collecting the links.

Cookies

2011-12-16T07:48:00.000-08:00

Highly recommended:
Grandma's Gingersnaps

Cranberry Orange Cookies

Highly recommended and extremely easy:
Earthquake Cookies

I have made them with chocolate, spice, and lemon cake mixes. The lemon cookies are melt in your mouth wonderful. You can pass on rolling them in powdered sugar and they are just as good and even easier. And I don't know why they are called Earthquake Cookies.

Wonderful:

Oatmeal Scotchies
Somehow the recipe doesn't mention the chopped nuts and raisins which add to this one.

Okay:
Washboard Cookies
Interesting. Mild sweet flavor. Extremely crisp--call that hard. Would be good for dunking.

Gotta go. May add another couple of links later.

Headbangers' theme: "Look what I saw!"

2011-12-14T11:42:00.000-08:00

Fishing Guy gave us the theme "Look what I saw!" for this week's header challenge. The big challenge is to decide what amazing thing that has been seen should be included. I can say of this picture--Look what I saw! and you see a head and a hill. You probably don't notice the two tiny dots on the hill--right there in the middle--just to the left of the tree to the left of the head.

You don't see them do you? All you see is the two dots. Here is an artistic hint to what I did see that day.

Yes, we saw two elephants on the hill above Lake Periyar in the Periyar Tiger Preserve National Park.

You do see interesting things in the National Parks and you don't have to go to India to do it. Just come around the bend in the trail and...

Or come over the ridge and see...

What, you might ask? A ridge and a mountain. You've seen that many times. But do you see that cloud of dust just about the middle of the picture? That is a large hunk of mountain that had just fallen off the side--as large as a building. That's what I saw that day. You don't see that every day.

And also on our travels we have seen some amazing bits of architecture in the cities of Russia...

...and in villages.

You never know who or what you are going to see around a corner! Hmm, would I rather run into Mac or a bear.

Amazing sites at home or abroad.

But for the header itself, I am coming from the other direction. Looking out, grandson B is declaring "Look what I see! I see you!"

Check out the other headbangers who are listed in my sidebar. We will see what they see, and the results of the voting will be published later this week.

ABC Revisiting V

2011-12-14T08:17:00.000-08:00

V is for Valleys.

When you hike in the mountains, you will see a lot of views of valleys.

These views from a Mt. Rainier hike a couple of years ago are pretty dramatic. Many valleys are. They certainly add interest to the landscape.

ABC Wednesday

Odd juxtaposition

2011-12-11T15:00:00.000-08:00

I'm wondering if the pool company realizes how silly this looks. Yes they want to advertise that they are installing the pool here at my daughter's house in Arizona, but do they really want the sign out at this stage while the concrete clean-out settles in a plastic kiddy pool?

What did you find that was odd this week?

Instead of a Psalm, the Magnificat

2011-12-10T19:47:00.000-08:00

My soul rejoices in my God.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:

My soul rejoices in my God.

the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.

My soul rejoices in my God.

He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,

My soul rejoices in my God.

from Isaiah and Luke

Headbanger Challenge--Toys-r-Us

2011-12-07T11:42:00.001-08:00

Toy--definition 3 from dictionary.com--something that serves for or as if for diversion, rather than for serious practical use.

The big toys at the playground certainly served for diversion for my grandson one January day a couple of years ago. For diversion, and expression of boundless energy.

The "toys" of my image editing software served as diversion for Grandma this morning as I stretched the toy and the boy to fit my desired header space.

Thus the header provided toys for both of us.

Header challenge from Gailsman--Toys r Us.

ABC Revisiting U

2011-12-06T22:51:00.001-08:00

While ABC Revisiting this round let's take a peek out the window at Ullapool.

Most of these pictures were taken out of the windows at our Guest House in Ullapool, Scotland on our trip last year. We were based in Ullapool when we hiked at Cul Mor and Stac Pollaidh.

I posted Ullapool last year about this time when we reached the letter U. That round I was posting an alphabet of our U.K. trip.

Unlike many villages in Scotland which grew up with no particular plan, Ullapool is laid out on a grid. This was partly because it was rebuilt after a fire destroyed much of the town.

Ullapool is a small port on Loch Broom, hosting fishing boats, small yachts, and a ferry to the Outer Hebrides.

Loch Broom


Ferry Dock


Ullapool at the end of the rainbow

You will find the ninth round of ABC Wednesday linked on its own page. Once again, thank you to Denise Nesbitt, who came up with the ABC Wednesday idea, now in its fifth year.

Odd Shot Christmas

2011-12-04T15:00:00.000-08:00

I managed to gather a number of odd shots on our recent trip to the Southwest, and I don't know which is the oddest. I'll be all set for several odd weeks to come. We'll start with Santa.

This fake Santa is set up in a giant fake snowglobe at a mall in Arizona (hence the cactus and wagon wheel.) He is decidedly odd. But the odd part is that at some point, one is expected to pay $22 to crawl into the giant fake snowglobe and get one's picture taken with fake Santa. I don't know if the environmentally sound compact fluorescent lamp bulbs hanging by loose cords on fake Santa's chair are part of the deal either.

Earlier in the week before we were there our two daughters had met for lunch at the mall and younger daughter climbed behind the fence around the giant fake snowglobe so older daughter could take her picture with her phone. A little girl came up and remonstrated with them, "I think you are supposed to pay!!!" Well, little girl, "Why aren't you in school in the middle of the day?"

Duh!

Maybe for $22 you get fake snow.

Share your Odd Shot with us by linking below. Visit other Odd Shotters and be sure to leave comments. We all love to hear what you think.

Sunday's Psalm--Second Sunday of Advent

2011-12-03T16:59:00.001-08:00

Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD--for he proclaims peace to his people.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.

Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

Kindness and truth shall meet;

justice and peace shall kiss.

Truth shall spring out of the earth,

and justice shall look down from heaven.

Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and prepare the way of his steps.

Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

from Psalm 85

Visit other psalms this Sunday through Robert at Daily Athens.

Sunrise at my Brother's House

2011-12-02T06:03:00.001-08:00

Sunrises and sunsets on our recent trip may provide me with Skywatch posts for weeks to come.

Hello December!

2011-11-30T16:18:00.001-08:00

Simple theme this week for the Headbangers---Hello December!

Simple, well, maybe, maybe not. My header image is a luminaria, used in some areas to light a path during December's holiday celebrations. Originally from the Southwest, I think. And we just came from there, traveling this morning through snowy Meachem Pass in Eastern Oregon.

This luminaria was one of only a few which stayed lit the evening a couple of Decembers ago when we visited the Yakima Arboretum during their luminaria events. Maybe that is why these lights welcome December in the Southwest and not so much in our snowy Northwest.

Welcome, December!

Visit other Headbangers to see how they are welcoming December. You will find their links in my sidebar.

ABC Revisiting T

2011-11-30T13:07:00.001-08:00

Revisiting Seattle's Troll.

He resides below the Aurora Bridge in the Fremont district.

Yes, that is a Volkswagen beetle in his left hand, and that is me standing up there.

Thoroughly investigated.

ABC Wednesday--in its 9th Round. Wow!

Four Legged Turkey?

2011-11-27T15:00:00.000-08:00

Not that odd...

DD cooked two.

Be sure to visit odd shot posters who link below.

Sunday's Psalm--First Sunday of Advent

2011-11-26T19:04:00.001-08:00

Lord, make us turn to you;

let us see your face and we shall be saved.
O shepherd of Israel, hearken,
from your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth.
Rouse your power,
and come to save us.

Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.

Lord, make us turn to you; let us see your face and we shall be saved.
May your help be with the man of your right hand,
with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.
Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.

Lord, make us turn to you;

let us see your face and we shall be saved.

from Psalm 80

Visit Robert at Daily Athens to see more illustrated Psalms today.

Turkey Trot Sunrise

2011-11-25T07:18:00.001-08:00

Thanksgiving Morning in Mesa, Arizona

Skywatch Friday

Headbanger Challenge--Thanks

2011-11-22T15:56:00.001-08:00

Eventually the choice of this week's theme descended upon me, and, having pondered some other ideas as my date for choosing either was conveyed to me in error, was misunderstood by me, or actually changed, as the actual date came I offered the topic of "Thanks".

It is not coincidence that the Americans among the group are celebrating the holiday of Thanksgiving this week, but the fact is that any time is a perfect time for "Thanks". The theme could have been done six weeks from now or six months from now and been just as valid.

As a society, we have too much let the holiday boil down to football (the American variety), commercialized parades with gigantic balloons, and too much food, so calling attention to what its meaning should be won't be a bad idea either. (Maybe six weeks from now or six months from now would have been better.)

I had ancestors in Plymouth Colony where the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621. They had not come on the Mayflower, but on "the second boat", so to speak. Things did not go all that smoothly for them, as one was kicked out of the colony on two separate occasions--on one of them having had to leave through a gauntlet of rifle toting colonists whacking him on the behind as he departed. He later ran afoul of the natives as well, and was murdered by Indians. I guess I could say "Thanks" that I am here to tell of it.

Now the other bit is that, having declared the theme to be "Thanks", I promptly left most of my photo files at home and left for the holiday. So my options for a header must come from my limited collection of photos resident on the laptop (most of this year), those I have used in my blogs in the past, and those I can take now. Thus I call your attention to my header collection page to see many things I am thankful for that are not included--as my past headers have pretty much always represented something dear to me in some way.

So now I must peruse my available files, and come up with something both "Thankful" and adequately pleasing to my eye to top the blog for the next week.

Visit the other headbangers, listed in the sidebar, to see how they interpret the theme of "Thanks".

ABC Revisiting S

2011-11-22T13:07:00.001-08:00

Seattle

I am revisiting favorite places during this round of ABC Wednesday.

To see what others are posting for S, visit the ABC site.

Not Likely!

2011-11-20T18:13:00.001-08:00

Odd Shots

Sunday's Psalm--Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King

2011-11-19T18:04:00.001-08:00

ABC Revisiting R

2011-11-15T21:29:00.001-08:00

Rainier, of course.

ABC Wednesday

Odd visitor

2011-11-13T14:38:00.001-08:00

Not having an odd shot handy in the files, I went poking around in some boxes of snapshots from film days. This puppet --I would call it a puppet -- was snapped at Bumbershoot, a festival at Seattle Center a few years ago.

I should have used it for the headbangers weird and wonderful theme last week.

But it is odd.

Share your Odd Shot in the linky and please be sure to visit and comment on other Odd Shotters.

Sunday's Psalm--33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time.

2011-11-12T18:30:00.000-08:00

Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Blessed are you who fear the LORD,

who walk in his ways!

For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;

blessed shall you be, and favored.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Your wife shall be

like a fruitful vine

in the recesses of your home;

Your children like olive plants

around your table.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Behold, thus is the man blessed

who fears the LORD.

The LORD bless you from Zion:

may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem

all the days of your life.

Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

from Psalm 128

Find others who have illustrated the Psalms at Daily Athens each Sunday.

Headbangers--Weird and Wonderful

2011-11-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

The Headbangers theme, presented to us this week by Dave, is Weird and Wonderful. I was welcomed by the Headbangers last week and managed a silver shield.

With this week's theme I am taking you to several National Parks of the American West. The header itself it my favorite mountain topped by one of its famous lenticular clouds. Those are a weird and wonderful treat to see.

These other National Park sights are weird and wonderful as well:

A "fin" and hoodoos at Bryce Canyon National Park

This weird and wonderful hoodoo is actually at Arches National Park supports a balancing rock. Hoodoos, arches, and fins are typical of the red rock parks of southern Utah and northern Arizona.

We found this weird and wonderful phenomenon at Yosemite National Park near Mirror Lake. An area where hundreds of people do some rock stacking each year. Yes, each year over the summer season the rocks are stacked, then the winter's snow does the demolishing job so they can start again.


Stalactites? Or Stalagmites? I knew at one time. These weird and wonderful creations are at Lehmann Caves at Great Basin National Park.

Another weird and wonderful place--very weird--that we have visited is a castle. Yes, we visited phenomenal Edinburgh Castle and Lincoln Castle and several castles and palaces when we were in the UK. But this particular castle is located in a suburb of Los Angeles. It is called Rubel's Castle, and I wrote about it here.

I mean, really--a portcullis? in Southern California?

This castle was built, helter skelter, by one eccentric Southern Californian, and he included all sorts of strange things.

This is the top of the clock tower. Really, follow the link and read about the clock tower and the clock.

One really weird and wonderful thing about this place--we stopped by to visit my cousin Terry and she said, "Oh, yes, you are going through Rubel's Castle--I went to school with Mike Rubel."

And you thought some of your classmates were weird!

Check out the other headbangers. they are listed in my sidebar.

ABC Revisiting Q

2011-11-08T22:51:00.000-08:00

ABC Wednesday today we are posting Q

In this case, I am posting queue.

Where better to find a queue than in London--in the London Underground--waiting on the Picadilly Line.

Or a queue of double deckers queued up waiting to take you to your next sight.

All those folks watching the changing of the guard are queued up to see the Crown Jewels.

ABC Wednesday--Q

munch lunch

2011-11-06T13:15:00.000-08:00

The dinosaur has a name that I have forgotten. He resides on the Google campus with his flamingo friends. I took this odd shot during my Google visit a couple of months ago.

Sunday's Psalm--32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-11-05T19:30:00.000-07:00

My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts

like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.

My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary

to see your power and your glory,

For your kindness is a greater good than life;

my lips shall glorify you.

My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.

As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.

My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

I will remember you upon my couch,
and through the night-watches I will meditate on you:

You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.

My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

from Psalm 63

Others also illustrate the Psalms each Sunday. You can find them linked at Daily Athens.

Weekend Reflection

2011-11-05T08:26:00.000-07:00

I was looking for a particular photo and along the way found this one, forgotten, in the files. Who would have thought that a culvert could be so artistic?

Weekend Reflections

Watchful Sky

2011-11-04T08:04:00.000-07:00

Skywatch Friday

Headbangers--my first week

2011-11-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

So I finally accept the invitation to be a Headbanger. And then Imac gives me this week's theme.

Sanguine

Sanguine?

I'm not sure whose choice that was, but thanks a lot, guys. This leaves me banging my head indeed.

I told Imac I had something in mind, but when I went and looked, I thought oooooooooo-nooooooooo. I don't think I want that at the top of my blog for the next week. In fact, I will only share this bit of haunting in a very small form--click to enlarge if you really want to see all the gory detail that I had forgotten from a couple of Halloweens ago.

But besides referring directly to blood, sanguine also means:

of a cheerful disposition or a ruddy complexion that sometimes goes with it

kind of like my Halloween persona

or blood-red in color, like these fall leaves.

And then I realized that my fall colors from last week are also blood-red. And so, I think I will leave them there as none of these others are better, and hope for an easier theme for next week.

The Headbangers vote as to the best interpretation of the theme, and so, I refer you to them in the list in my sidebar to see what you think. Did I do okay for a beginner headbanger?

ABC Revisiting P

2011-11-01T22:10:00.000-07:00

During our visit to the Scottish Highlands last year we hiked the peak Stac Pollaidh, pronounced Stack Polly. The summit is a crest of sandstone with lots of pinnacles and gullies. It is a bit over 2000 feet in elevation.

Our whole group started out from the carpark across the road. The heather covered base of the mountain was a lovely hike.

While the younger members of our group scaled the crumbly peak, we seniors enjoyed the view of Cul Mor, the mountain we had claimed the previous day. Rain and mist are part of the mystique of the Highlands. You can just imagine Brigadoon appearing and disappearing right before your eyes.

Back around all the way and down, Stac Pollaidh was the last peak we hiked that week.

ABC Wednesday once again at the letter P. Next week will be interesting.

Odd Shot scanned

2011-10-30T12:49:00.000-07:00

Do you notice what is odd?

So, if this card is not needed, why did they send it to us?

I imagine it is part of the paperwork reduction act.

If you have an Odd Shot this week, please share it on your blog. Post your link here and leave a comment. Visit others with Odd Shot posts.

Sunday's Psalm--31st Sunday of Ordinary time

2011-10-29T15:27:00.000-07:00

In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

O LORD, my heart is not proud,

nor are my eyes haughty;

I busy not myself with great things,

nor with things too sublime for me.

In you, Lord,

I have found my peace.

Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted
my soul like a weaned child.

Like a weaned child on its mother's lap,
so is my soul within me.

In you, Lord,

I have found my peace.

O Israel,

hope in the LORD,

both now and forever.

In you, Lord,

I have found my peace.

from Psalm 131

Psalm Challenge at Athens Daily

Reflecting in the Arboretun

2011-10-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

Besides the fall colors and October roses I have been posting at my photo blog--365--our stroll through the Yakima Arboretum was an opportunity to reflect.

The best place to look for reflections is the Japanese Garden.

But the geese in the central pond also contributed.

And this is my contribution to Weekend Reflections. Thanks, James, for inspiring us.

So we switched the channel over...

2011-10-28T08:42:00.000-07:00

...while watching a high suspense drama last night to check the score. 7-4 late in the seventh inning. Well, no reason not to go back to our drama.

So we missed the World Series drama. St. Louis wins 10-9 after being one pitch away from a loss at least twice.

Must have been time for a lesson not to give up.

We attended a college football game like that when the kids were at WSU. A few minutes to go in the game and fans were getting up to avoid the parking lot jam. After all, Arizona State was up on Wazzu by more than two touchdowns. It was all over but the shouting.

Wonder about those who were just outside the stadium when the shouting started--Wazzu won that game by a point or two (I'll never understand football--American football--scoring, so don't ask how they did it.) What were they thinking about then?

I wonder if any St. Louis fans left in disgust in the seventh.

This is obviously not the sky and stadium in St. Louis last night, but a shot during a Mariners game we attended in June.

It works for a baseball themed Friday Skywatch--I've missed quite a bit of that game lately, too.

ABC Revisiting O

2011-10-25T22:41:00.000-07:00

ABC Wednesday, I am revisitng places we have been. We have reached the letter O and here is the Olympic Sculpture Park, an installation of the Seattle Art Museum.

Grandson Benjie is checking out one of the giant eyeballs, which also serve as benches. The Olympic Sculpture Park is near the waterfront, and with the right conditions, has a view beyond the Man and Boy fountains to the Olympic Mountains.

At this angle, this piece reminds me of a Haida whale image. I think I have a similar one on a textile from Alaska.

The Sculpture Garden has some notable neighbors.

The giant typewriter eraser can be seen from Highway 99.

It's a fun place to visit. ... even if you are only almost four.

We visited the Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle in May of this year.

You can visit its website.

ABC Wednesday, Round 9

It's a...????

2011-10-23T16:00:00.000-07:00

Saw two or three of these on our stroll through the Arboretum last week. This one had been set on a bench in the Rose Garden. The others were also obviously not in their original locations, so I have no ide what it might grow on. Any ideas? Even ideas as to how to search for it in a search engine? Weird fruit just doesn't seem like it would turn up anything accurate in the image search.

For Odd Shots on Monday--Using image search, I did find an answer here, but I don't know how she found it. With her identification you can read more about it on Wikipedia, or research the name further.

Sunday's Psalm--30th Sunday of Ordinary Time

2011-10-22T20:46:00.000-07:00

I love you, Lord, my strength.

I love you, O LORD,

my strength,

O LORD,

my rock,

my fortress,

my deliverer.

I love you,

Lord, my strength.

My God,

my rock of refuge,

my shield,

the horn of my salvation,

my stronghold!

Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.

I love you, Lord, my strength.

The LORD lives and
blessed be my rock!
Extolled be God my savior.
You who gave great victories to your king
and showed kindness to your anointed.

I love you, Lord, my strength.

from Psalm 18

Check out other psalms illustrated by visiting Robert at Daily Athens.
The Challenge has reached Psalm 31.

Photos: Stac Pollaidh, Scottish Highlands
Mono Lake, California
Sun Lakes in the Coulee Country of Washington
Yosemite, California

ABC Revisiting N

2011-10-19T16:07:00.001-07:00

If you have visited my blog over any period of time you will know that I am a fan of the National Parks. I have not only visited many of the National Parks of the American West, but can also claim parks in six other countries. So today for ABC Wednesday I will revisit a few of these

National Parks.

Cruising on Lake Periyar at Periyar National Park and Tiger Preserve in India. We did not see any tigers, but we did get a peek at some elephants, wild boar, cormorants, and had to keep our hotel windows closed to avoid being visited by the monkeys.

On our visit to the UK the summer of 2010, we hiked along Hadrian's Wall in Northumbria National Park.

Rock climbing is the focus activity at the Stolby National Park in Siberia, Russia.

Cruise ships come close to the calving glaciers in Glacier Bay National Park in Alaska.

Half Dome is the icon of Yosemite National Park in California.

Historic sites like Scotty's Castle in Death Valley National Park are preserved for the ages by the park service.

These are only a few of the sites I could post. The National Parks label below the post will take you to others of my National Park visits. Although unable to participate this summer because of my husband's illness, we have been National Park Volunteers for the last six or seven years. Support your National Parks wherever you are and the work done there to preserve our heritage.
ABC Wednesday--N

Ketchup--Blog Action Day--Odd Shot Monday

2011-10-16T11:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, this truly might be an odd combination of themes and topics and harking back to old stories, but Blog Action Day-October 16, 2011- has the theme of food, ketchup relates to food and has at times been considered to actually BE more of a food than it is (think, school lunch vegetable), and this is an odd little ketchup bottle that was one of two reminders recently of this old Odd Shot story, as well as a piece to make a point about food--and what's the deal with all the ways to spell ketchup/catsup anyway?

Well, as in the Odd Shot story linked above --I can wait while you read it--I was again taking a picture of a ketchup bottle a few weeks ago, and then, more recently, we were having lunch in Yakima after hubby's chemo and I saw that same friend through the window and thought of the original ketchup bottle, this ketchup bottle, and chuckled. There was no ketchup on our table! That didn't deter Ernie, who brought me one and asked if I had my camera with me.

But back to the tiny ketchup bottle.

On our visit to the Bay Area we traveled on the ferry to San Francisco to enjoy their incredible Farmers Market. Relishing the thought of making something wonderful with all this luscious local fresh food. And eventually we did. But in the meantime, we had to get back to our son's home by ferry. This stretched into an adventure, because the ferry would not dock at the Farmer's Market until much later, so we would need to walk the length of the Embarcadero to the ferry stop many piers away to catch the next one.

There were many distractions and it was a distance, and I was watching hubby's energy level as we fell farther and farther behind the younger generation. Finally I called a halt. We have to stop and eat. Maybe we will catch the ferry or maybe a later one. It is time to initiate Plan B. So we started checking the menus on each restaurant as we passed by. You know something? If you are in a touristy part of town, you are going to see touristy prices at the restaurants. Next decision--we are going to eat HERE! The younger generation were shocked at the prices but I saw some soup that was semi-reasonable, so the older generation prevailed.

Now, the tiny ketchup bottle is part of this. Cloth napkins, an elegant view, waiters who didn't exactly hover but were always aware of any need. Those were part of the luxury. Benjie's $12 PBJ was part of the luxury. Sometimes you just have to go for the luxury, but

What a waste!!!

There! I've said it. Why does "luxury" in dining have to include tiny individual ketchup bottles and other similar waste? Why is it that dining out in "luxury" can be so much less satisfying than a cheap burger with good friends? I am trying to think of a time when we had a luxury meal which was not in some way disappointing. I think our most satisfactory "luxury" meals are actually those we do over a campfire.

So next time we go for a luxury meal, let's think something simple and elegant and classic and inexpensive and spend some of the extra sharing with the local food bank or Feed the Hungry or other similar cause. Our quilt group (and others) have a challenge going of making placemats which will be given out through Meals on Wheels to add a touch of "luxury" to the lives of shut-ins.

Food for thought!

I won't add a linky today. If you have an Odd Shot, please leave a link in the comments. If you have something to say about food and Blog Action Day, please do the same. And enjoy your meal today--dine well, but simply, and think of those who can't.

Sunday's Psalm--29th Sunday of Ordinary Time

2011-10-15T18:16:00.000-07:00

Give the Lord glory and honor.

Sing to the LORD a new song;

sing to the LORD, all you lands.

Tell his glory among the nations;

among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

Give the Lord glory and honor.

For great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
awesome is he, beyond all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are things of nought,
but the LORD made the heavens.

Give the Lord glory and honor.

Give to the LORD, you families of nations,
give to the LORD glory and praise;
give to the LORD the glory due his name!
Bring gifts, and enter his courts.

Give the Lord glory and honor.
Worship the LORD, in holy attire;
tremble before him, all the earth;
say among the nations: The LORD is king,
he governs the peoples with equity.

Give the Lord glory and honor.

from Psalm 96

Alaska Native Center dancers, Muir Woods, Grove of the Patriarch trail, view from Lake Tipsoo

Look for other Psalms linked at Daily Athens for Robert's Psalm Challenge.

ABC Revisiting M

2011-10-11T23:05:00.000-07:00

When we visited Russia in 1998, we spent the first day in Moscow, then returned there for a few days after time in Siberia and St. Petersburg.

This ABC round I am revisiting memorable places we have been. The gingerbread look of St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square is one of the memorable sights in revisiting
Moscow.

We arrived in Moscow near midnight after a five hour delay and a twelve hour bumpy flight.
Our flight to Siberia was late the next day, so we had a day to visit the capital---on our own.

We walked.

All day.

All over Moscow.

When you are on your own in a strange city with a vocabulary of a couple dozen words and everything written in an unfamiliar alphabet, you hesitate to try to get on a bus or subway--even if you have a guidebook with directions.

So we walked. ..

...and walked...

...and walked.

The Moscow River and the new cathedral nearing completion when we were there. We were wondering what it was--it ws not in our guidebook published two years earlier. We took a boat cruise on the river, but not till we had returned to Moscow at the end of our trip.

On that second time in the city, we lodged in a homestay. Our hostess helped us plot out our routes on the subway map. By this time I could sound out the Cyrillic letters and we were a little more confidant in not getting lost. Well, my husband and son were confidant. They assumed that I knew what I was doing. I didn't. But you could get a lot farther around the city on the subway than you could on foot. And our lodging was quite a distance out of the center.

One exciting moment occurred when we were on our way somewhere--I don't remember where. I do know that we saw the Bolshoi Theater and KGB headquarters that day. We went down into the subway with a plan to catch a train to the next spot on our itinerary. The train came. The doors to the car opened. I got on. The doors closed. That was quick---really quick---really really quick.

Husband and son were still standing open mouthed on the platform as I stood open mouthed watching them slip rapidly away as the train sped on its way. I got out at the next station. Fortunately, common sense and logic prevailed and the next train disgorged the two of them, having reasoned that this was the best way to be reunited.

Kremlin Walls

There are seven churches within the Kremlin walls. Gold onion domes everywhere.

The subway scare was probably the most exciting thing that happened to us in Moscow. At least until the airport, where, after fearing that the flight was overbooked and we would be bumped off--we found instead that we had been bumped to first class for our twelve hour flight home.

Bumpy flight to bumped flight. But that's a tale for another time.

You will find ABC Wednesday here. Thanks Denise, for another fine round of ABCs.

And so for the pets that stuck around...

2011-10-10T07:43:00.000-07:00

Once the pup who wanted nothing to do with it was recaptured, the Blessing of the Pets continued. It takes place around the feast of St. Francis of Asissi, well known as an animal lover. Our pets are dedicated to our companionship and enjoyment.

It ws the first time I had seen a fish at the Blessing.

This bunny was also a first.

Turtles usually come in a box. This one brought a hat.

Graciela brought the only kitty this year.
Fr. Jaime's cat took off for parts unknown before the celebration.

Largest pet this year. Last year there was a pony.

I'm bored.

Okay, Jazz. Don't bite Fr. Jaime.

What do you think, Chiquita? Is he a new friend?

Odd Shot--The Chase

2011-10-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, the picture isn't terribly odd, but when one tiny chihuahua took off yesterday, apparently having decided that the blessing of pets was not for him, the chase was on.

Several children and half a dozen other dogs took off to round him up. He was returned to the rectory lawn and his owner took greater care to hang on to his leash as the ceremony continued.

Sunday's Psalm--28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-10-08T21:00:00.000-07:00

I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

In verdant pastures he gives me repose;

beside restful waters he leads me;

he refreshes my soul.

I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.

Even though I walk in the dark valley

I fear no evil;

for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage.

I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

You spread the table before me

in the sight of my foes;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.

I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

from Psalm 23

Photos:

young Dall Sheep cross the river at Denali National Park, Alaska

hiking in the Muir Woods, California

Silver Falls, Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington

Dall Sheep ram, Denali (Doesn't he look like he plans to stay right there for all the days of his life?)

Visit other Psalms on Sundays in Robert's challenge at Athens Daily.

The challenge is in its 29th week so most will be illustrating Psalm 29.

(I continue my commitment of posting the Psalm from the Sunday liturgy.)

And thinking about blogging...

2011-10-08T08:45:00.000-07:00

Back here I said "I've been thinking about blogging, Blogger, and what they do mean for me. It is a question I was asked. It is a good question for a future post."

Oh how quickly we do get distracted.

So without revealing my own hand, first let me ask you --What does blogging mean for you? (Answer in comments or write a post on your own blog and link it here--I will add a linky tool for you.) I hope that you will share. I would really like to get a good wide response.

What inspires you to blog?
How do you decide how often to post?
Why do you choose the kind of things you do to blog about?
How do you view your readers and followers? Have you met any of them? What kind of relationships have you established online? When do online friends become realtime friends?
Do you ever get a "block"--writer's block or photographer's block--and how do you get out of it?
What kind of memes do you participate in? Why do you do memes? or why not?
What does blog visiting mean to you? How often do you visit favorite blogs and bloggers? How important is that?

While you are thinking about this and hopefully answering some of it, I will do so, too and give my reflections in another post in a few days.

reflection

2011-10-07T23:04:00.000-07:00

A tree reflected in a Golden Gate Park building from our trip to the Bay Area last month.

Weekend Reflections hosted by James.

ABC Revisiting L

2011-10-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

Continuing to revisit places we have traveled, you might have thought I would post London or Lincoln where we traveled last summer. Instead I went back three years to revisit Mt. Lassen.

Mt. Lassen is the southernmost volcano in the Cascade Range. It erupted in 1914-1915. It's history can be found here.

ABC Wednesday Round 9 is here.

Odd on the Web

2011-10-02T12:29:00.000-07:00

If I would crop this just above the trees it would look even odder, wouldn't it? What a tangled web it appears--but if you will look below at my husband's version, this climbing web in Golden Gate Park makes more sense.

Odd Shots Here.

Do you have something odd to share? Share it here in Odd Shots.

Sunday's Psalm--27th Sunday of Ordinary Time

2011-10-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

A vine from Egypt you transplanted;
you drove away the nations and planted it.
It put forth its foliage to the Sea,
its shoots as far as the River.

The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Why have you broken down its walls,
so that every passer-by plucks its fruit,
The boar from the forest lays it waste,
and the beasts of the field feed upon it?

The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Once again, O LORD of hosts,
look down from heaven, and see;
take care of this vine,
and protect what your right hand has planted
the son of man whom you yourself made strong.

The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

Then we will no more withdraw from you;
give us new life, and we will call upon your name.
O LORD, God of hosts, restore us;
if your face shine upon us, then we shall be saved.

The vineyard of the Lord is the house of Israel.

from Psalm 80 and Isaiah

I must acknowledge that Robert continues his Psalm Challenge at Daily Athens. The challenge is in its 28th week, most participants illustrating P
salm 28 this week.

ABC Revisiting K

2011-09-28T07:41:00.000-07:00

I looked back thirteen years to revisit my K for this round of ABC Wednesday. That was when we traveled halfway around the world to visit Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, Russia, home of our soon to be daughter-in-law and city where our son had been studying for the previous year and a half. It is a city of around a million people, only a few years earlier closed to any foreign visitors.

Summer gardens yielded a source of income for many residents as they set up shop along the city streets. We think of Siberia as a distant vast cold place, but summer is just the opposite. Well, it is still distant, but the short growing season in terms of days is extended because there is 23 hours of daylight during those days. The local tomatoes, onions, potatoes, and cucumbers were lush and luscious, and despite living in huge apartment blocks, many Krasnoyarsk residents have a little garden plot down along the bluff over the River Yenesei.

This little chapel sits atop the hill from which the panorama of the city was taken.

Address them as "Ma'am" or "Sir" and be sure to say please and thank you.

2011-09-25T16:00:00.000-07:00

Note the final sentence on the sign, which is what struck my "funny bone" this last week.

Give them respect indeed!

Sunday's Psalm--26th Sunday of Ordinary Time

2011-09-24T19:00:00.000-07:00

Remember your mercies, O Lord.

Your ways, O LORD, make known to me;
teach me your paths,

guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.

Remember your mercies, O Lord.

Remember that your compassion, O LORD,
and your love are from of old.

The sins of my youth and my frailties remember not;
in your kindness remember me,
because of your goodness, O LORD.

Remember your mercies, O Lord.

Good and upright is the LORD;
thus he shows sinners the way.
He guides the humble to justice,
and teaches the humble his way.

Remember your mercies, O Lord.

from Psalm 25

(1) Castle Crags State Park, CA

(2, 3) Crater Lake, OR

Wetlands Reflections

2011-09-24T08:57:00.000-07:00

Do you know this bird?

Weekend Reflections is brought to you by James.

Skywatching from the Ferry Window

2011-09-23T08:44:00.000-07:00

from Alameda to San Francisco

Other Skywatchers are found here.

2011-09-23T06:22:00.000-07:00

Send forth your light and your fidelity;
they shall lead me on
And bring me to your holy mountain,
to your dwelling place.

Alaska 2009

2011-09-22T06:20:00.000-07:00

Let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.

2011-09-21T07:14:00.000-07:00

The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

Day pours out the word to day,
and night to night imparts knowledge.

ABC Revisiting J

2011-09-20T22:26:00.000-07:00

We visited Joseph, Oregon in February last year.

(The title of this sculpture is "He who thinks he is invisible.")

Joseph is a very popular locale for artists. Every corner has a bronze sculpture which was struck in one of the local foundries. These pieces highlight the natural and historical background of Eastern Oregon.

The area has a very rich history to depict--home of Chief Joseph and his Nez Perce, settlers, bank robbers.

Joseph is down the road from Imnaha. I posted these stories when we visited.

ABC Wednesday is here.

A Chicken and a Chihuahua Were Walking down the Freeway...

2011-09-20T12:34:00.000-07:00

...no it's not a joke. It's what I saw on the way home from the gym.

Odd Shots--the ones that got away

2011-09-18T16:00:00.000-07:00

No, I haven't been fishing. Just thought I would post these shots that were supposed to be...well, guess...

The jackrabbit that was sitting there just a second before had the most magnificent ears.

The bee bumbled away.

My grandson on a long slide at Golden Gate Park.

Of course, having got such a good picture of the feet, I missed the whole boy...

What a magnificent butterfly! So colorful! Errrrr, he was there a moment ago.

The Great Blue Heron had to have been six feet tall, and he was right there not twenty feet away. Just a sec while I turn on the camera...

Hmmmm.

Missed seeing the squirrel make quick work of this cone.

Oh, there he goes now...

So, did you see any odd shots this week? Better yet, did you get the picture?

Sunday's Psalm--25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

2011-09-17T14:45:00.000-07:00

The Lord is near to all who call upon him.
Every day will I bless you,
and I will praise your name forever and ever.

Great is the LORD and highly to be praised;
his greatness is unsearchable.

The Lord is near to all who call upon him.

The LORD is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger and of great kindness.

The LORD is good to all
and compassionate toward all his works.

The Lord is near to all who call upon him.

The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.

The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
The Lord is near to all who call upon him.

Do you see the reflection?

2011-09-16T21:11:00.000-07:00

Do you see any reflections here in Crater Lake?

Those white areas in the water are reflections of the clouds in the sky.

I posted some cool reflections yesterday, too. Be sure to click Previous Post or scroll down.

Weekend Reflections is hosted by James.

Goo-goo-googling along

2011-09-15T22:49:00.000-07:00

What a busy week!

My hubby and I are on our way home, stopping off along the way to see some of the sights just off the highway that we always seem to pass by. He has had five days of visiting with our son and his family. I had three days with them, and let him have them to himself while I spent two days in Silicon Valley.

Here I am with one of the Google bikes employees use to get around the Google campus.

The map shows where all the TCs hailed from.

As a "TC" in the Blogger Help Forums, I had been invited to the "Google Top Contributor Summit." To tell the truth, I had thought the title of the gathering was a little pompous, and expected to be surrounded by nerds and totally have my eyes glazed over with all the tech talk. That wasn't how it was at all. The over 250 TCs that Google had flown in (bused, trained, and let drive) from around the world looked just like a cross section of all the rest of us, and the talk was --oops--can't tell you that--but let's just say we saw the human side of Google and we got to get and give feedback about Google products and meet Googlers and other users we've only known from their usernames.

Thank you Google for showing us your human side and what is coming for us. Hey Nightcruzr, Mishka, Yoboy, Martin, Richard, and Erik/Aires of War--It was so cool to meet and share with you in person--as also Lisa, Brett, and all the other Blogger crew. EdSF you are permanently adopted as a Blogger Dude. (Sorry Erik and Yoboy that I didn't get a good chance to say good-by. I had to get on the highway. We'll do better another time.)

I've been thinking about blogging, Blogger, and what they do mean for me. It is a question I was asked. It is a good question for a future post.

ABC Revisiting "I"

2011-09-13T14:37:00.000-07:00

Continuing to revisit places we've been during our travels in this round of ABC Wednesday. A couple of years ago on a trip to Eastern Oregon we traveled to Imnaha. Imnaha is a town of about 12 in population. The boots on the fenceposts are a memory of Imnaha.

Odd Shot from California

2011-09-11T15:59:00.000-07:00

I'm in California--a good place for collecting Odd Shots, it seems. There were bunches as we drove through that I couldn't get because I was driving--or more often because husband was driving and although he will point out odd shots, he won't stop for them. I've forgotten most of them.

One was a sign we saw which stated: "You can't fix stupid, but you CAN vote it out."

Yesterday afternoon in San Francisco, there were a number of street musicians and other performers along the Embarcadero near the Farmers' Market and along the sidewalks leading away from the market. One enterprising young musician had a sign in his request for tips that said "Thank you for helping me pay for trumpet lessons."

This is one of the odd shots we encountered there. The young man was having to move his business a few yards down the sidewalk for some reason.

Can't quite make out his sign? Here it is enlarged.

Never saw a poen store before...

Sunday's Psalm--24th Sunday of Ordinary Time

2011-09-10T08:59:00.000-07:00

The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;

and all my being,

bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits.

The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

He pardons all your iniquities,

heals all your ills.

redeems your life from destruction,

he crowns you with kindness and compassion.

The Lord is kind and merciful,

slow to anger,

and rich in compassion.

He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.

Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

The Lord is kind and merciful,

slow to anger, and rich in compassion.

from Psalm 103

Revisiting ABC--H

2011-09-07T06:55:00.000-07:00

There--in the distance--

Mt. St. Helens

This H dropped in on us on May 18, 1980--a Sunday morning.

We dropped in on her while camping with the kids in 2009.

ABC Wednesday--H

Odd

2011-09-04T17:12:00.000-07:00

Well, no he is not particularly odd, unless you are unsettled by such a close eye to eye visit with a squirrel. But this morning's odd encounter with a squirrel was missed by the camera, so you will have to imagine this guy's cousin with a nut or fruit (may have been a green apple) as large as his own head held firmly in his mouth. He was waiting by the side of the road for traffic to clear so he could cross (that's kind of odd, too.) He probably didn't think he could get it across the alternate route across the phone lines.

Sunday's Psalm--23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

2011-09-03T06:53:00.000-07:00

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;
let us acclaim the rock of our salvation.

Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
let us joyfully sing psalms to him.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Come, let us bow down in worship;
let us kneel before the LORD who made us.
For he is our God,
and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Oh, that today you would hear his voice:
"Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
as in the day of Massah in the desert,

Where your fathers tempted me;
they tested me though they had seen my works."

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

from Psalm 95

ABC Revisiting G

2011-08-30T21:00:00.000-07:00

On our very first snowshoeing expedition we went to the Nisqually Vista on a Ranger guided walk. Conditions were incredible that day--I've never seen them better though we have taken that route many times since--and I was enjoying the 10x zoom on my then new camera (three cameras ago) to pick up these adventurous snowboarders near the terminus of Nisqually Glacier.

G is for Glacier

This revisit of a G adventure is brought to you as part of ABC Wednesday Round 9. Thanks Denise.