A Grand Memorial Day Ceremony

May 31, 2011

Good morning, and such a gorgeous morning it is!!!   Today is supposed to stay in the high 70's and mostly sunny.  Perfection!!  I could dig this weather year round.  Mmmm, mmm, mmm. 

Yesterday morning, we all went to the cemetery here in town for the Veterans' Call Out service.  I never knew of this before, and I'm so glad we went.  This is the first year that letters were sent out to the families involved, so the turnout was grand.

We got to walk around and check out all the different stones and dates.  Gosh, what a beautiful cemetery.  Soon after 10 a.m. the parade came to the cemetery.  This included the Police and Fire Departments, our local Scouts, surviving Veterans and the high school band. 

I do have a few photos to share.  There were more than 60 veterans on the call list, all deceased since last Memorial Day.  As each name was noted "Absent",  a poppy was placed in the large white planter to remember that person.  This first photo is when Artie's name was being called. 

Once the roll call was finished, there was a 21 gun salute. 

Throughout the ceremony, music was provided by the Randolph High School band.  After the gun salute, Taps was played.  This was a really beautiful ceremony.  Once it was ended, the parade folks lined up and headed back out the street to march back to the center of town.  This last photo is the our wonderful high school band getting ready to start marching.

Once I got back home, there was a couple loads of laundry waiting to be done before I could retire to my cozy little bed for a nap.  While the laundry was going, I did a bit of catching up on my blog reading and email.

Today, I'm hoping to spend some time outside after a little nap.  I'm off work now till Friday, Woo Hoo!!  Now it's time to give Tootsie her meds, and get this day started.  Tomorrow, I will be bringing you the new GI Blog Train which is packed full of fantastic goodies.  Till then, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

May 30, 2011

Good morning, and Happy Memorial Day to all.  It's a day to remember and be thankful for all those men and women who gave their lives to keep our country safe for us.  We have a long line of veterans in my family, and we cover all the branches of the armed forces.  In a little while, we will be going to the cemetary for the call out for Artie.

When we get back home, there is laundry waiting to be done, a nap to be had, and back to work tonight.  This gal's life is busy, busy, busy.  But that has a plus side to it - I just don't have time to get old.  Not for a long while, at least.  There is so much still to do.

This has to be a short post as Dee Dee  and Eddie and the kids will be here in a little while.  We're all going to the cemetary together.  But I do have a couple of photos to share this morning.  I have the most beautiful yellow irises growing in the little garden right outside my door.  Doesn't this just put a smile on your face?

Now, I think I'll give Tootsie her meds, and grab a quick cup of coffee to keep my energy level up.   Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Another Gorgeous Sunday Morning

May 29. 2011

Good afternoon.  It's sunny and rather hot outside.  I'm not complaining, mind you.  But I must say that I am pooped out.  I finished a 14 hours shift at 9 a.m. and came home to give Tootsie her meds.  Then I went back out to the supermarket to do a bit of shopping before the market got too crowded.  This is a holiday weekend, and there were lots of great sales.

When I got home, Joe helped me to bring all the groceries and cases of spring water in the house.  Once everything was put away, I had to do battle with an army of ants that were trying to set up housekeeping in my living room and my kitchen.    I  think I got them all, but they're probably hiding somewhere, waiting for me to take a nap so they can come back out.

Last night, there was no internet connection at work, and I'm not expecting to get one anytime soon.  So I will have to do all my internet stuff here at home.  I don't think I'm going to like being without the web at work.  I know, I am so spoiled!

This morning while the Mrs was still asleep, I did a bit of practicing with my new doubler again.  It's going to take a while, but I think I'm catching on.  There was a new bird in the birdbath, and he was having himself a grand old time just a singing away and spashing about.  I looked this little guy up in my bird book, and found that he is a Gray Catbird.  In one of the photos, you  can see the rust coloring on the underside of his tail feathers.

I think the photos came out pretty good considering they were all hand held.  I don't have my tripod at work for obvious reasons.  Also, the sun was not out yet, and I had my ISO turned up as high as I could. (3200)  This little guy (or gal) was a pleasure to shoot.  (photos, of course.)

Tomorrow morning, after I come home from work, I will give Tootsie her meds, and then we will be going out.  There will be a parade downtown, and then a roll call at the cemetary, where all the veterans who have passed on this past year will be remembered.  They will be calling Artie's name, so we all want to be there for this ceremony.

Now I think I will have me a cup of coffee - I haven't had any yet today.  Then maybe I can catch a little nap so that I will be fresh again for work tonight.   Till tomorrow, Y'all have a marvelous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

A Lovely Weekend For Us

May 28, 2011

Good morning.  It's looking like this will be a perfect cookout weekend here in New England.  The sun isn't out yet, but it will come.  (I hope)  If we don't get any thunder showers this morning, I think Miss Tootsie and I will check out the local flea market.  Who knows, we might find something we just can't live without!!

Yesterday, we went to a local fabric shop that is going out of business, and bought some nice material for curtains for the front porch.  I also bought a couple of nice chunks of material that can be used to make gifts.  One for me (Audrey  can do the sewing for me) and one for Audrey (for doing my sewing).  I also found the cutest little thing to put away for a holiday gift.  I can't tell you what it is because she might be reading this post.

On the way home from the fabric store, Tootsie and I stopped to visit an old friend of mine.  We only live a couple of towns apart, but we don't see each other very often.  It was good seeing her again. and being able to sit and chat for a while.   

Earlier in the day, I had taken a few photos of the new garden area on the other side of my house.  Here's shot of most of it.  It's difficult to get all of it in one photo because it goes back so far.

Where you can see the orange marigolds on the far end of the garden is the part with all the veggies.  The end that is not showing has my new rhodies.  One bush is white and one is sort of purply pink. 

I've been getting a bit lax again at designing, but I'll get back to it soon.  I've been so busy with other things that at the end of the day I just want to go to bed and sleep.  Right now, I need to put in a load of laundry.  I have to work tonight and the next two nights, and I can't be going in nakey.  I don't want to shock the Mrs.

To everyone in the path of these wicked tornadoes, please be safe.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day. 

Hugs, Edna B.

EXTRA POST FOR TODAY

May 27, 2011

If  you would like to help out a fellow blogger/designer, AND pick up some great scraps, please visit http://grungeandglitter.blogspot.com/.  Brandi and her family are about to lose their home, so she is having a "Buy My Store for $25" sale to raise some money.  You can see her kits at:  http://www.twilightscraps.com/.  Thanks so much for your help.

Hugs, Edna B.

Great Weather For The Weekend

May 27, 2011

It's 5:42 a.m. and it's already 65 degrees F.  It's been warm all night, so if it doesn't rain, today will probably be a tad bit warm. (In the 80's)  I've been listening to the birds chirping since about 3:30 a.m.  The little guys don't seem to sleep very long.  Ever wonder how they get around in the dark?  Hmmmm.

Obviously, I'm at work, and the Mrs. is still asleep.  I've been online checking out some of the bid auctions, but they don't sound too good.  You have to pay for each bid you make, you have no way of knowing when the bidding time is up, and you obviously don't win all the time.  So that would make it a rather expensive way for me to shop.

I just put the weather channel on, and it says we have some really gorgeous weather and temperatures coming up for a whole week.  There will be a few thunder showers mixed in, but I think we can handle that.  I really would like to have a day or two to visit a couple of beaches to see if maybe there are some different birds to photograph.

Speaking of birds, I have a couple photos of a goose family to share this morning. 

Yesterday, we were busy cleaning out the little shed so that Eddie could put in a new floor, and I uncovered a few little treasures that my brother had saved.  Among them was a Christmas note that my daughter had written to Moo.   That was the Christmas season that we all got to spend with my daughter after she had been missing for 13 years.  It was such a joyous time for all of us, and the note is quite special, so I think I'll mail it to her.

Oh oh, the weatherman is now predicting some severe storms coming along with the warm temperatures for this New England area.  He says there might even be a tornado mixed in.  Gosh, I hope not.  Tornadoes are not very common in our part of the country, so here's hoping it's just going to be a bit or rain.

Now it's time to check on the Mrs. again, and start getting ready to go home.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Behold, Such A Glorious Morning!

May 26, 2011

Oh what a beautiful morning!!!  I met Eddie at 9 a.m. at our favorite building supply store, Home Depot.  We checked out a few cabinets, all too expensive, and bought some lumber for the floor in my little shed.  Of course, I couldn't leave that parking lot without first driving over to their nursery to see what new plants might have come in.  That was a BIG mistake!  I left with another fantastic rose bush, two butterfly bushes and some marigolds.  You've just got to have marigolds in your veggie garden.

Financially, it would be best if I stayed away from that store for a while.  But, alas, I will be back there soon enough when we start the work on my laundry room.  I will do my best to stay away from the nursery.  (he he he)

This will have to be a short post, as I have to get outdoors to help Eddie empty out the little shed.  I'll put Miss Tootsie in her stroller and take her out for a bit of fresh air too before the temperature gets too hot.  Strange, but we seem to always go from cold, then a teeny hint of Spring, then right into the hot steamy stuff.  Of course, I left out all the wet stuff between Spring and Steamy.

I have a fun photo to share with you that I took the other day at the park.  I'm still working on getting photos showing flight.  No, this is not an eagle.  It's just one of the beautiful gulls that hang out at the park.

I also took a couple of photos of today's new plants.  Here is my new rose (ooh, I just love the color!), and the marigolds for the veggie garden.

Now it's time to bundle Tootsie into her stroller and head on outdoors.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantastic day. 

Hugs, Edna B.

It's Good To Have The Sun Again

May 25, 2011

Good morning.  It feels good to look out my window and see glorious sunshine.  The weatherman says the hot sticky stuff will be here soon.  Most of the next few days is expected to be in the mid to high 70's though, so I'm going to try to get out each day for at least a little while.

Turning in the TV is not so pleasant lately.  There are so many deadly storms ripping across the country, destroying everything in their path and killing a lot of people.  It makes you sit up and realize just how fragile life really is.  We need to appreciate and be grateful for today.  Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Yesterday afterrnoon, the weather was simply lovely.  Tootsie and I took advantage and went to the local park with hopes of getting some new photos.  It always amazes me at how uncaring some folks really are.  One day, there were people fishing where the water birds usually congregate.  Why this was allowed, I'll never know.  Yesterday, there were a couple of moms allowing their children to throw stones at the geese.  One of the kids actually had a long stick and was trying to hit whatever goose or duck he could reach.  Mom only said "Don't get too close to the water dear.  I don't want you to fall in."

How about some fun photos?  Here is one of a beautiful little duck sitting on a rock and grooming himself in the warm sunshine. 

When the grooming was done, it was time for a refreshing dunk.  Boy oh boy, this is one happy little duck!

I got lots more fun photos, but I'll save them for another day.  I'm hoping that Eddie will come by today.  Yesterday, it was so late by the time he was able to come over, that I post poned it till today.  When the weather is nice, I want to be able to get out and enjoy some fun with Tootsie.  This past week has been a wake-up call.

Now it's time to get dressed and see what's up for today.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

It's A Good Day For Tootsie!!

May 24, 2011

Good afternoon.  Tootsie had quite a long visit this morning with her doctor.  After checking everything, the doctor decided to do a blood test for Lyme disease.  The results of that came back negative.  Woo Hoo!!!  Unless something else shows up, Tootsie's walking problems these past few days could very well have been brought on by her newest meds, so that drug has been discontinued.  However, we did get another new drug for pain.  We will try that out for a couple of weeks to see if it makes Tootsie more comfortable without any new side effects.

While we were at the hospital, the sun came out, and is just wonderful.  Once we got home, we had lunch, and hopefully in a little while, we are going to go for a ride and enjoy the rest of the day.  If I'm lucky, I'll even get to shoot a few new photos.

I've even started my Christmas shopping on E-bay.  I have a special drawer that I put holiday gifts in, and it feels good to see the drawer getting full.  As for my blog books, I just received my last book today.  Now I'm all caught up and printed through December 31, 2010.  These books are fantastic!!!

I have a photo to share that I took last week at work.  I only took it to see if I could photograph the hornet (or whatever it is!). 

That's it for today.  Eddie will be coming over soon to put a new light switch in the pantry for me.  After that, Tootsie and are are hitting the road!  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a magnificent day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Old Movies, Wonderful Memories

May 23, 2011

Good morning.  It's wet and gray here, but that could change later on.  Lately we've been managing to squeeze in a bit of sunshine on a few afternoons.  If the sun does come out, Tootsie and I will get outside for a while.  Her stroller makes life so much easier for her.  So far, she's holding her own with a bit of help in the walking department.  I'll be talking with her doctor again later today.

This morning we've been watching old movies on television.  Gosh, do they ever bring back memories!!!  Right now, they are showing old movie previews.  It brings back thoughts of older days and Saturdays when my brother and I would go to the movies.  Then along came drive in theaters.  Oh my, those were wonderful years.

I don't have any new photos yet, but I can show you one of our new plants.  We put in a beautiful foxgove plant, and I'm hoping that all this rain doesn't hurt it.  Water is nice, but we really need a few days of sunshine to help the garden along. 

We have an abundance of another really beautiful plant.  Trees!!   Even the tall giants are looking good.  I've cropped a photo of one of them to make a new scrap background. 

If you have a camera, take it outside and see how many photo opportunities there are right there in your own yard.  You won't have to look very far.  Now I'll post the last two parts of our May kit, "In The Merry Month Of May."  I hope you're enjoying it.

Here are your download links:

EXPIRED

When you're finished downloading, stop by Su's blog and pick up her last two parts. 

Now it's time to rustle up some lunch for Tootsie and me.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Such An Interesting Challenge

May 22, 2011

Good morning.  Things are pretty much the same with Tootsie.  She can only walk a little bit, and it needs to be on carpet or scatter rugs for traction.  If I carry her out to her wee pads in the pantry, she can stand long enough to pee a bit.  She got through the night pretty good.  I took her out to potty around 1 a.m., and then I set my alarm clock for 5 a.m. and took her out there again.  Tootsie and I want to thank everyone for their prayers and good wishes.

Yesterday afternoon was sunny for a while, so Tootsie and I went outside for a bit of fresh air.  I also wanted to try for a few more photos of the dandelion seeds that are floating in the air with every little breeze.  Nani, you guessed correctly on yesterday's mystery photo.

 Have you ever tried to photograph one of these little buggers.  You have to focus manually, and they don't stay anywhere long enough for me to do this.  I did get a couple more photos that were much better than Friday's shot.   This month's photo challenge at Photography BB forum is to be about "in flight."   I never enter the challenges, but I like to try to get the photos.  Hence, the reason for trying to photograph a dandelion seed in flight.

I know it doesn't look like much, but it wasn't easy to get this shot.  The dark areas are leaves on my Japanese Red Maple tree.  If I could follow the seed with my lens towards a dark background, my chance of getting a halfway decent shot improved.  While I was doing all this, Chippy was sitting quietly nearby on a tree stump, just taking it all in.

Now I think I'll get dressed and make a bit of breakfast for Tootsie and me.   Scrambled eggs and bacon sounds pretty good.  Mmmmmm.  I'll be posting the last two links for "In The Merry Month Of May" tomorrow.  Till then, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

New Photos Of Tootsie

May 21, 2011

Good morning.  It's back to wet and gray here in my little part of New England.  But yesterday turned out really nice.  Joe put in all the new plants, half floral and half veggie.  We still have a little room for something else, but at the moment I'm not sure what that will be.

My little Tootsie is barely walking, and seems to be reverting back to the beginning of the disease.  Gosh, I hope I'm wrong, but that's how it's looking.  This morning, Tootsie could not move to wake me, so she peed the bed.   Her doctor has stopped one of her new meds, thinking that it might be part of the cause.  We shall see.  Meanwhile, I'm trying to get time off from work.  I'm kind of afraid to leave her at night because I don't know what I'll come home to.

I do have a couple of new photos of Tootsie that I took while we were outdoors yesterday afternoon.  As you can see, she's in her pink stroller, and is having a good time watching people walking by, and the birds that are playing in the yard.  Her blue shirt is her Red Sox tee.

 
I have another photo to share.  I wonder if you can guess what it is.  Tomorrow, I'll let you know if you guessed right.

Now it's time for me to get back to my laundry.  The sheets are dry and need to be folded, and the blankets need to go into the dryer.  I want to give my little a bit of a bath too, with a facecloth, not in the tub.  Till tomrrow, Y'all have a fabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

A Rough Day For Tootsie

May 20, 2011

This morning did not start out so good.  My beloved little Tootsie was not able to walk when we got up.  I gave her an extra dose of prednisone, and it helped her to be able to sort of walk for about two feet.  I left her with the sitter and went to work.  As soon as I could, I got a replacement to come in and cover for me so that I could get back home to Tootsie. 

At the moment, she's walking a little bit, but it's slow going.  I have put in a call to her neurosurgeon, and am waiting for a callback.  It's heartbreaking to watch her trying to hop around when her little hind legs do not want to cooperate.  I need to spend some time with her, so I'll cut this post short.  I do have a photo to share.  This is the new Lena Scotch Broom that I bought yesterday for the garden.

That's it for today folks.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

It's Time To Buy More Plants

May 19, 2011

Good afternoon.  I was just doing a bit of blog reading, and a bright light caught my eye.  It was coming in from the window.  Dare I think that the sun just might be able to stay and play a while today?  It peeked out earlier for just a moment or two, and went back in behind the clouds.  Oh, oh, I spoke too soon.  It just went back in again.  But, it is not raining so I think that maybe Joe (one of the dwarfs) and I will go shopping later this afternoon to buy some veggie plants.

I think I should do a bit of laundry too.  I only have a couple pair of jeans that fit, and I don't want to buy any new ones until I settle on a new weight.  Unfortunately this means that my clothes are in the wash a lot.  I also have to catch up on laundering the scatter rugs.  Every time I run up to the attic, or outside for a moment, Tootsie decorates another scatter rug.  She has really strong separation issues, and a thing for scatter rugs.

I'm about done rambling for today, although I do have one photo to share.  This is one that I took at work, and then processed in Photosho, using the watercolor filter. 

Now I'm off to get that laundry started.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

I Didn't Do It, My Neighbors Did!!

May 18, 2011

God bless, it's another wet and gray day here in my little part of the world.  It's around 54 degrees F, and the weatherman says there's a chance for a speck of sunshine on Saturday and Sunday before it turns back to rain again.  Be still, my heart!

One of the news topics on TV this morning was how lack of sleep causes weight gain.  They suggest getting more sleep will help to keep you slimmer.   The newspaper ran a two page article that said obesity is caused by the neighborhood you come from.  Low income equals fat folks!!  GIVE ME A BREAK!!  When are we supposed to take RESPONSIBILITY for what we do?  The bulk of obesity is caused from too much activity called "bend elbow and raise food to mouth."  (Ever notice that there are no obese folks who are wealthy and living in affluent neighborhoods?  DUH!)

My weight gain had nothing to do with my neighborhood or my income.  I used to be a lot slimmer until one year I had a nasty break to my ankle and had to wear a heavy cast for eight weeks.  As often as I could, I spent my time reclining on the sofa with my leg up and plenty of snacks nearby to shovel into my mouth.  As the weight came on, I found it easier to just accept it than to put a lot of effort into diet and exercise.

 So who do I blame for my lack of interest in keeping my weight down back then?  C'mon.  There must be something or someone that we can blame it on!!  Oh, I know!  I can blame it on me!!!  Research and polls should be used to find cures for problems.  Why do we keep spending so much money trying to find things to blame?

Enough of my sass.  Today's photos are shots I took of some the beautiful blooms that the Mrs. got for Mother's Day.  The lilac is my favorite.  I'm hoping that next year there will be a few blooms on my new little lilac bushes.

Eddie is here, so it's time for me to get dressed.  We're (mostly Eddie) clearing out a lot of junk that is in the attic.  It's really quite messy up there.  Squirrels are horrible housekeepers.  They make a mess, they move to another spot!!  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Nope, No Sun Today!!

May 17, 2011

Good morning.  Yes, it is still wet and gray here, but life goes on.  Eddie is outside rigging up a chute going from my attic to the dumpster.  This will make it easier for him to empty all the junk out of the attic.  It's  really a mess up there.  Squirrels got in before winter and tore up all the ceiling insulation.  Plus they sort of made it their winter home.  Need I say more?  Yup!  It's a nasty job cleaning up after the squirrels, but someone has to do it.  Thank you, thank you, Eddie!!!

I'm watching the Science channel on TV.  They are explaining how strands of Christmas LED lights are made.  Did you know that these little bulbs are made to last for 25,000 hours?  That's like almost three full years of continuous lighting.  Wow!! 

Now they are showing how my favorite beer, Samuel Adams, is made.  Not that I'm much of a beer drinker.  My little six pack lasts a whole year.  I guess that makes me the company's least favorite customer.   I mostly drink spring water all the time. 

Enough prattling.  I have some new photos to share today.  These photos were taken at work during a break in the rain.  This first tulip hasn't quite opened yet, but it is just so pretty with the drops of rain all over it.

Towards the edge of the garden, there were two tulips bent way over from the wind and rain, but they were still so pretty.

Near the corner of the house, there is a tall shrub, and it was covered with thousands of tiny glistening beads of water.  Have you ever really looked at a shrub when it is covered with rain drops?  It's really very pretty.

Now I think I will see what's for lunch.  I got a late start today.  Last night, I read a book far into the wee hours.  When a book is interesting, I just hate to put it down and go to sleep.  Of course, I pay for it when morning rolls around.  Ah well.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

More Freebies For You

May 16, 2011

Good morning.  Even though it's wet and dreary outside, it's good because now I'm home.  My little fireplace is on and Tootsie is here with me.  Yes, it's a good day.  Kyra is starting to feel a bit better, and I spoke with Su yesterday and she is beginning to feel just a little better too. 

This morning, I'm in luck.  Law & Order is on TV.  Usually, my choices of programs to watch are either shopping, children's programming, or weather.  None of these sounds very interesting to me, but I do like the Law & Order series.  Even the re-runs.  Sad to say, we have hundreds of TV channels to choose from and most of them have crap on.

I am really disgusted at a lot of the new shows.  They call them family shows, but all they show is people (especially teenage girls and woman) talking and dressing trashy and trampy.  The behavior is even worse.  I'm glad I don't have children in my home now because I wouldn't be able to turn on the TV. 

Today, Su and I are posting Parts 3 & 4 of our new kit, "In The Merry Month Of May."   I have just had a peek at Su's parts, and oh boy, what a great kit!!  It is fun and whimsical, and has everything you need to scrap your photos of Mom, Springtime and remembering loved ones.  Here is my preview.

And here are your download links for Parts 3 & 4:

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When you have finished downloading, hop on over to Su's blog and pick up her parts.  Here is her preview.   Don't forget to take a moment to leave a thank you.

 
Now I have to get Tootsie's meds.  She's already hiding!!  God bless this little girl!  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.
 
Hugs, Edna B.

Just Another Rainy Day

May 15, 2011

It's 5:30 am, and it's been raining for quite a while.  Hopefully, the rain will wash all the yellowish green pollen off my car.  I have been hesitant to take the car to a car wash because the pollen is still falling.  I do have a hose at home, but I don't think we are supposed to be using the hose to wash our cars.  I should check this out because it would be easier to wash my car at home.

I had a freebie for you on Friday, but could not post it because of Blogger being down.  Remember that bee photo I posted last Monday that looked like it could be a QP?  Well, I made it into one and then scrapped a photo onto it.  Here it is, along with the link for the QP.

Here is your download link for QP - 062:  EXPIRED

This next photo is one of the Mrs' tulips covered with raindrops.  As you know, I enjoy taking photos of things covered with dew or raindrops. 

Here's another shot I just took out the kitchen window.  (Rhododendron)   Sometimes the rain can be fun.

Now I think I'll start to pack up my things and check on the Mrs again.  My relief will be coming soon, and I can go  home.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a great day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Grrrrrr!! This Doubler Is Getting The Best Of Me! (So Far)

May 14, 2011

Good morning.  I missed coming here yesterday for my morning chat.  Blogger was down for close to 24 hours but now they are back up and running.  Yesterday was such a gorgeous day but I didn't get out much to do anything because I was at work all day.  This morning is cloudy, but still dry at the moment.  There's not much point in watching the weather channel because they are forecasting rain and showers every day for at least a week.  Oh joy!!

Let me tell you about the fun (?) I'm having trying to figure out how to use the new doubler that I got for my lens.  I took it with me to work, and in between projects there I tried using it to take photos of birds.  I must have around a thousand really bad shots to go through to see if there is anything salvageable.

I have learned one very important thing - I need to learn more about my camera.  Every shot required different settings and different ISO's.  My problem was not knowing what numbers to use until I had already  taken the bad shots.  I will keep trying though.  If there is a camera angel up there somewhere, please please come sit on my shoulder and help me learn!!!

First, to use this doubler, you need to use a tripod.  Now, I can't just lug a tripod around with me while I am supposed to be working.  So I do the best I can with hand held.  Also, I am indoors and shooting through windows.  There was a robin perched on the bird bath outside on the back patio.  The light was really poor, the bird was about 25 feet away (or more), and I was shooting from indoors.  The photo was so dark you could hardly make out what it was, so I lightened it up in Photoshop.  Here's what it looks like now.  It almost looks like a watercolor of sorts.

I also got a few shots of some of the rhododendron buds that are starting to blossom.  These were taken without the doubler.  I'm hoping that by next year, my rhodies will be looking like this.

Now that I have chatted your ear off, I think I will amble out to see what new bills the mailman has delivered this morning.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantastic day.

Hugs, Edna B.

Another Fleecy Bathrobe Day

May 12, 2011

Good morning.  It's rather gray outside my window, so I will turn on  the weather channel to see what it will be like  today.  Oh dear -- that did not help!  It shows our area temps to be around 54 degrees F today, while all the areas nearby will be enjoying 60's and 70's.  I have a feeling that we will just slip right into the muggy heat of summer one of these days, and stay that way till Fall.

I did not get out yesterday to take any photos, but I did feel a bit better, as the chills seem to be going away.  I did not have to turn on the fireplace, but I did keep my warm fleecy bathrobe on all day.  Today, I really need to get a few things done around here, at least the laundry.  Tomorrow, it's back to work again.

A few days ago, I bought a new doubler for my lens, and I must say that I am so unhappy with the photos I am getting with it.  I have made all sorts of changes to all the settings on my camera, and still my photos look terrible.  While playing with all the buttons and settings, I forgot to leave a bread crumb trail, so now I have to read the manual to find out how to put everything back to where it was before.

Today I have photos of a pair of geese coming in for a landing at a nearby pond.  Even though the geese are big, they are so graceful.

Now I think I will make another cup of hot coffee, put in a load of laundry, and try to do a bit of designing.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B. 

Where Are You, Sunshine?

May 11, 2011

Good morning.  We have another wet, gray day here.  Yesterday, I wanted to get outside and try out the new stuff that I had learned about my camera, but Mother Nature wasn't being very helpful.  It was gray and drizzly all day.  On top of that, I spent most of my day wrapped up in a fluffy blanket trying to keep warm.  I went out later in the afternoon to pick up new meds for Tootsie, and then back to my warm fuzzies.

Today, my chills aren't as bad as yesterday.  So maybe things will be looking up again soon.  I would like to have at least one day to get outdoors before Friday gets here and it's back to work again.  Even Tootsie is getting the "outdoors" bug.  When I open the door, she hops right out just like she was a puppy again.  She even dances around a bit like she used to do before she got sick.  Oh wow, that really warms my heart.

Today, I have a couple more fun photos that I took at the park last weekend.  Here we have a heated discussion of sorts between two gulls.  One gull wants to keep her spot on the rock, and the other gull  has decided that he should have this spot instead.  Guess who won?  Of course, the bully!!!!!

Now I think I will make some lunch for Tootsie and me, and then maybe do a bit of designing.  I am so far behind on my PC  projects.  I need sunshine to get my energy back.  So, till tomorrow, Y'all have a fantabulous day.

Hugs, Edna B.

God Bless My Tootsie, She Is Such A Sweetie!!

May 10, 2011

Good morning.  After a really nice day yesterday, I think we are in for some rain today.  It's gray and a bit cool outside, and I'm not really in a rush to get out there right now.  As I sit here watching the weather channel, I feel that summer is going to be another scorcher this year.  Already, parts of the country have temperatures in the 90's.  It is 56 degrees F here at the moment.

I think my body has been trying to fight off a cold.  The past week, I just can't seem to get warm.  When I'm home, Tootsie and I go to bed early and I crawl under two fleecy blankets in an effort to get warm.  I  even run the fireplace for a few hours.  I have been blaming my sniffly nose on the pollen, but maybe a cold bug is helping it along too. 

The mailman brought me a lovely surprise yesterday.  A Mother's Day card from Tootsie.  You know that warmed my heart ever so much.  Moo used to take Tootsie card shopping while he was here, so I was really surprised when this card arrived.  Seems Tootsie had a friend in Virginia help her pick out the card this year and get it in the mail.  Miss Ellen, you have a special place in my heart.  I love you girl.

How about some fun photos?  Over the weekend, Tootsie and I took a ride to the local park, and were just in time to watch some goose families come ashore so that the Moms and Dads could teach their little ones where to find food.  In this first photo, Mom is kept quite busy trying to keep her rambunctious kids from straying too far.

Oh dear, I'm watching film (on TV) of flooded neighborhoods in some parts of our country, and it is devastating.  I'm wondering, as I have so often, why government officials haven't found a way to pipe all of this water to some other area by now.  These floods did not just happen, they've been happening for quite a while now.  If man can pipe oil from one end of the country to another end, and from the bottom of the ocean to ships and land, then why can't he pipe all this surplus water to drier parts of the country?  It boggles my mind.

On this note, I think it's time for me to get dressed, or at least to put on a housecoat.  Today my friend Mary Ann is going to try to help me learn a bit more about my camera.  We will do this via the phone because she is several states away.  Such a wonderful invention, this telephone!!  I'm off now.  Till tomorrow, Y'all have a wonderful day.

Hugs, Edna B.