On Halloween Eve!

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You wouldn't believe
On All Hallow Eve
What lots of fun we can make,
With apples to bob,
And nuts on the hob,
And a ring-and-thimble cake.
~Carolyn Wells~ 
Just a pretty fall picture today. Thinking of my little ghosts and goblins back home carving pumpkins while gathering sweet morsels for general distribution! 
Think they call that Trick or Treat, if I remember correctly. 
The excitement builds as I know not know what their costumes be??? 
Happy Halloween my sweet Grand-babies, please send Grandma lots of scary pictures tomorrow! 
Have a wonderful and sugar filled day! 

Beauty Without Expression Is Boring!

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"Beauty without expression is boring."~Ralph Waldo Emerson~
My 365 day journey is coming to an end, I will stop posting everyday and probably post once or twice a week thereafter or at least when I find something interesting to photograph and write about. 
Just when you think you have seen the last wedding photo from me I post another one! 
Well folks I just couldn't help myself on this one. It is my all time favorite. I took this photo of Allicyn just before entering the reception and the pro photographer was shooting her from the front. I loved many of my 500 photos but this one just sings to my artistic soul! I love the way the light and the wind are dancing romantically around her creating an ethereal effect.
 A very happy photolistic accident on my part. 
Some of you may be thinking well why do you love it so much, you cannot see her face and your son is not in the photo? Well because I am speaking from a totally artistic point of view. 
This one is for the artist in me the rest of the photos are for a mom to cherish! 
Just can never suppress that artist thing it always seems to resurface and finds a way to manifest itself imprinting joyous joy on my unsuspecting absorbent soul! 
My guess is I will continue to feed the little beast and trust my instincts even at the risk of seeming odd! 
Wait until I really get old kids!!!
Have a wonderful day!

A Photo Is Worth A Thousand Words!

A Thousand Words
Sometimes a photo just tells a story and we have all heard the phrase, a picture is worth a thousand words!
I captured this photo just before entering a tour bus in Costa Rica. We had enjoyed a river cruise thru the Rain Forest earlier in the day. 
Over the past year I have come across it several times wanting to use it for a post in some capacity. This photo just speaks to me. 
I have no idea who this gentleman is, however I can only imagine his lifestyle by observing this photograph. 
I would say he is a man who works very hard and long hours to support his family. He is a man of modest means enjoying only the essentials of life. His work would be that of a farmer his hands rough and soiled, his skin tanned from the blistering sun. The animal by his side well groomed and fed. His shirt clean and pressed, he is loved and well cared for. A proud and honorable man, a kind man, rather quiet and soft spoken. 
I would say he knows that his efforts are most appreciated and keep him going. 
Well folks that's my interpretation of this photo and I could be all wrong but that's my imaginary story. Do you have anything to add? Can you only imagine his lifestyle?
Have a wonderful weekend!

Inspiration!

Painting By Lynn
I guess you just never know how you can inspire another person. I posted the photo below on Sunday, October 23rd, entitled, Health Is A Large Word. I liked the photo but wouldn't classify it as one of my top ten. Thought it just OK! A fellow blogger from California, then commented that she would like to paint the watermelons and would I grant her permission! Yikes, are you kidding me, yes, yes, yes! 
It brings me such joy to know that I actually inspired someone like Lynn. Wow, she has inspired me as well, look at her painting above. Makes me want to pick up a paint brush again! 
You can enjoy Lynn's blog by clicking here --> Getting My Feet Wet. She is a very talented quilter as well, and a very proud new grandma. 
Thanks Lynn, you have made my day!

Health Is A Large Word

Mother Nature's TuTu!

All Pink & Frilly
I came upon this lovely tree the other evening while walking the boulevard. It stopped me abruptly, begging a closer view. Wish I could tell you the name of this beauty but for now I will discuss it's visual impact. 
Large plumes of lantern like flowers hung in clusters throughout it's sprawling limbs. Salmon pink in color, quite the ostentatious display. 
I couldn't help thinking that they looked like frilly little tutu's hanging out to dry. Hence my imaginary name for this gargantuan wooden structure, Mother Nature's TuTu. 
So until one of my more tree educated, blogger friends, facebook friends or email friends lets me in on it's proper name it shall be forever known to me in an abbreviated version, as the TuTu Tree! 
I kind of like that name, it just rolls off the tongue. Silly, yes, but a moment captured and stored in my creative memory. I will never pass one by again without taking special notice.
The prima ballerina, Mother Nature herself, dancing her graceful dance, showering us with elegance and grace, a grand performance!

Let The Bird of Paradise!

Wisdom
"Knowledge is learning something every day. Wisdom is letting go of something every day."
~ Zen Proverb~
The Bird of Paradise are native to south Africa and mean joyfulness, freedom, and magnificence. 
They are also referred to as Crane flowers for resembling a bird’s beak and plumage. Bird of Paradise are the 9th wedding anniversary flower.~google search~ 
If you have read this chances are that you have learned something new today! As far as wisdom and letting go of something is concerned, I guess it would be some of the little stuff that stands in the way of seeing what is really important or seeing things from a different prospective. Just knowing that there is a better way! Good Judgement! Making a good sound decision and having the knowledge and experience to back up that decision. 
A little bird once told me that controlling the impulse to flip someone the bird, replaced with a kind smile goes a lot further in the feathers that flock together. A bird in the hand is far better than two in a bush. You might have to clean up a little poop though! That eating like a bird gets you sick. Having a bird and being able to let that bird go is like killing two birds with one stone!!! The birds and the bees are always to busy pollinating to sweat the small stuff!
A little cockeyed wisdom for you today!. 
OK, so now that we have that all down pat... "Let the Bird of Paradise fly up your nose." Let joyfulness, freedom and magnificence become the contagious allergens that contaminate your being today! The bird just might cause a little tickle in your throat and a whole lot of smiles!!! Just never know where all this is going to go, but it's kind of nice to be a somewhat wise old bird!!!

Behind The Times!

Joyous
"Fashion is always of the time in which you live. It is not something standing alone. But the grand problem, the most important problem, is to rejeuvenate women. To make women look young. Then their outlook changes. They feel more joyous."~Coco Chanel~
Is this photo joyous or what? Walking thru a grand flea market recently, Judy and I came across this more than colorful store. Yikes, flea markets have come a long way, I thought! Judy suggested I take a photo for my blog, there was no twisting my arm on this one! 
Neither of us were quite sure where one would wear such attire? My friend being of an adventurous nature decided to interview the owner! 
The white dress with the red trim is actually a wedding dress. "The remaining could be worn to proms and social events," the owner said. Upon further investigation I noticed that not one was made out of flannel or had the proper coverage for my liking! Call me old and a little old fashioned but I also think that fashion should be comfortable as well. Look at that mannequin on the bottom right...Holy guacamole!
There is something out there for everyone, I guess. Feeling a little more rejuvenated, joyous and fashion educated for having visited this colorful place, we moved along. A store for the younger fashion savvy generation for sure!
Ahhh... the flea market a wonderful place to find the unexpected, overloading the unsuspecting senses!

Health Is A Large Word!

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"Health is a large word. It embraces not the body only, but the mind and spirit as well, and not today's pain or pleasure alone, but the whole being and outlook of a man."~James H. West~
Healthy body, healthy mind, healthy spirit, If you have all three you are a very wealthy person!
 It is the gathering of one's being blended into a happy soul that knows no boundaries. 
A wealth that money just can't buy! 
Attending a flea market yesterday we enjoyed many treasures, lots of bling, items to help one sing and a few items that one can fling! Nine hundred stores under one roof! 
Wow, talk about sensory overload! I brought my camera to see what I could capture. There are always many sights and sounds to behold here!!! Not to mention the smell of hot grease torturing fresh vegetables.
The most interesting and colorful for me were the vegetable stands. Farmers neatly and proudly displaying their precious bounty. 
Taking charge, protecting one's health is the greatest purchase and investment one can add to the portfolio of life! 
Now go eat your veggies and french fries don't count! I really need to start living my own words here! I have fallen off that long wagon train of health once again!
Have a wonderful day!
Posted to:
http://www.lgordonphotography.com/

Refreshments!

Silence
 "True silence is the rest of the mind, and it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment."~William Penn~ 
Chairs waiting to seat a weary soul for some quiet time and refreshment! 

Turning a corner in a very busy place was this sweet little respite. Quiet, colorful, yet peaceful. Just my kind of place to regroup, refresh the body and nourish the mind. 

Silence sweet silence such a wonderful gift! 

Have a great day and enjoy your weekend!

It's A Tropical State of Mind!

Attitude
"All we need, really, is a change from a near frigid to a tropical attitude of mind."~Marjory Stoneman Douglas~
The sun is finally shining again, my tropical paradise has returned. 
Gray and gloomy be gone you have served your purpose well. It's time to change my attitude to that tropical state of mind! 
Just a pretty picture today to remind us that paradise is really never far away! It's a mindset no matter the atmospheric conditions that surround us! 
Don't Worry Be Happy! Remember that tune? Now hummmm it!  Bet you can't get that catchy little tune out of your head...now can you???

Bird Watching!

Birds Of Paradise
"I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we only tune in."~George Washington Carver~
Is it not paradise while watching any bird? Birdwatching has become a recent past time for me. One must look for new subjects to capture when one loves their instrument of capture. Never really paid birds much attention in my younger years they were just kind of there. 

Thru the glory of digital technology, however, I have captured me quite a few. 

Above is a collage of some of my favorites. Can you name them all? 

It's OK, neither can I. Just enjoy them!

My friend Sue recently told me about her new App for the IPhone, it shows you a picture of a bird and then proceeds to sing out it's call. If the bird is in the area it will soon appear! 

Gosh I have got to get me one of those!

Ahhh... technology, what would we do without it?

Cling To Your Principles And Ideals!

Disappointment 
"Be calm and strong and patient. Meet failure and disappointment with courage. Rise superior to the trials of life, and never give in to hopelessness or despair. In danger, in adversity, cling to your principles and ideals. Aeauaninitas!"~Sir William Osler~ 
Who among us has not lived thru some type of disappointment? If someone or something is sucking the colorful rainbow out of your life you need to ask yourself why that is? Is there something I need to do? Speak up for myself perhaps? Above all one must stick to their principles holding on to their ideals, knowing that you have done the best you can. 
Disappointment builds character and lends itself to finding new solutions! It is a temporary roadblock to new possibilities. It takes a coward to criticize, especially anonymously but a noble man to move forward in spite of that criticism! 
The harsh opinions of others will fail in the attempt to sabotage the noble soul! 
The noble soul thrives in the comfort of inner peace. 
A peace that is precious and others wish to possess. 
Stake your protective umbrella of happiness, let no one tear it down!

Latin Dictionary- Aeauaninitas-calmness of mind/ patience/ tranquility/ equanimity/ goodwill/ favor. 
Not a popular word but one to hold on to!~google search~

He Is My Brother!

True Craftsmanship

This is the third ad that I have designed for my baby brother's place of business. I wrote about him earlier this past summer, you can check it out by clicking on the following link, True Craftsmanship!
The ad will publish in a local magazine to be distributed in the South Coast Area of Massachusetts. A bit wordy, I think, but he wants it all in there!
Not sure how I acquire these little jobs along the wayside, but attracting them seems to be what I do best. He promised to buy me an ice cream when I visit for Christmas! What a guy!
Since I am allergic to ice cream I'm going to have to settle for a sincere thank you!
A thank you he generously provides, I'm more than glad to help him out!
What else are big sister's for???
He is my brother after all!

Full Of Rigor!

Vigorous 
I chose Lantana to fill my window box! It is a very vigorous grower that is draught tolerant and colorful as well!
Lantana is symbolic for the word rigor. Why rigor and not vigor, I am not sure? I'll take it either way! I have had some luck with this plant before and hopefully with some consistent watering and a little fertilizer it will do just fine! 
It is raining today and I am longing for some good old fashioned Florida sunshine. 
Have a wonderful day!

Ixora The Explorer!

The Steel Ixora
"Related to the gardenia and coffee plants, Ixora is said to be native to Asia and whose name derives from an Indian deity."~google search~ 
The Ixora plant is quite common here in southern Florida, a source of constant color, they bloom all year.
As anyone who follows my blog knows I left my green thumb back in Massachusetts.
Resorting to clay pots of foliage that are inhabited by true and blue indestructible proven to grow living organisms, another words they survive on sheer neglect, remaining contained as well.
What could I plant in my newly vacated by a weaker species, royal blue pot, I thought?
Walking thru my favorite home improvement center, lowes and behold the Ixora Plant appeared, on sale to boot.! Yes the answer to my not so green Floridian thumb prayers.
These plants survive in abandoned vacant lots with no care at all. A true child of Mother Nature, herself, caring for the not so very privileged!
The variety I chose above is rather wispy which lends itself to clay pot habitation, I think!
We shall see!!! I figure some famous explorer went to India and brought this species back to this continent. Hmmm... lets go with Ferdinand Magellan. Wasn't he the Portuguese explorer who sailed around the world??? Hence the title! 
You google it I have to go and plant my Ixora!
Have a wonderful day!

Posted to:
http://www.lgordonphotography.com/

A Tribute!

Words To Live By:
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."~Steve Jobs~ 
I received this quote from http://www.finestquotes.com yesterday and I thought it an appropriate tribute to share with you today. 
I can't think of anyone who is or was truer to his words than Steve Jobs. He has left a legacy that has changed our world making it a better place to live! 
Thank You!

Look Who Came To Dinner!

Riveting
Cleaning the sink after dinner I noticed something on my glass lanai door as I was gazing out the window thinking about today's blog. Obviously this gentle little creature was not what I had planned for today. It was dark and I only had the porch light to work with as I did not want to scare him with my flash. From the hall inside I took a couple of shots of froggy glued to the window, a suction cup kind of action, almost an invasion of his privacy! Belly and fingers flattened like we use to do as children pressing our nose against a window. I walked out thru another door to capture his backside.
My guess is that there was good eating around the lone shinning light. Flying creatures in a frenzy like state of being, sensing a ferocious predator! Guess you can never have to many frogs around, not particularly fond of insects myself!
Hubby arrived home just in time to enjoy the show, however froggy remained frozen in place, one eye fixed on my lens. 
Go away lady, how rude of you to interrupt my dinner, may have been his froggy thoughts. 
Wonder if he would have liked some of that seaweed stuff I've been eating? 
We respected his imaginary wishes and went inside, only later to discover that he had vanished. 
Guess I never know where my next inspiration will come from, sometimes they just drop by inviting themselves to dinner! How pleasantly rude!

The Glory of Friendship!

Fisherman's Village, Punta Gorda, Florida 
"The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when they discover that someone else believes in them and is willing to trust them."~Ralph Waldo Emerson~ 
Such an inspirational quote today, mindful of the fact that I am so fortunate to have such wonderful friends! 
A great lunch was enjoyed at a funky little restaurant, then off to Punta Gorda, enjoyed by some retail therapy later on at Fisherman's Village! Laughs, giggles and great conversation was the theme of the day. 
It's so nice to just be yourself and the bonus, they still like you at the end of the day! 
Life certainly has it's blessings!

Clouds Add Texture!

Clouds
"Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky."~Rabindranath Tagore~ 

We were sitting on a bench appreciating the beauty of the Caloosahatchee River the other evening, enjoying the cloud formations and all that Mother Nature had to offer! Spending time with her seems to be an addiction I have developed of late. I have learned to love clouds and cloudy days. Finding familiar objects in their formations is a fun game to play. Cloudy days are best for photographing, allowing one to rest from the sometimes, blistering sunshine! 
Clear blue skies are wonderful to witness but clouds build character, adding interest to nature's canvas and character to one's soul. Another layer of texture in the fabric of life!
No man is beyond a little rainfall, it's how we weather the drops that matter! 
Examine the clouds as they are sure to clear leaving one wiser to truly enjoy the blissful sunshine!

The Water Caught Fire!

Silence 
"The sky broke like an egg into full sunset and the water caught fire."~Pamela Hansford Johnson~  
The silence was so loud one could hear the grass grow! Last evening our golf cart expedition set out a bit late around 7:15PM. We only had a short period of time to capture the quiet. It was as though the earth took a deep breath and held it the entire time we were about. No breeze to be had, yet warm and comfortable. Many homes scattered about the golf course, not a sound to be heard. The insects held off on their evening melody, croaking frogs lay silent, chirping birds home in their nests! A feather falling may have been detected! Mother Nature was taking a nap! Eerie but very beautiful we forged ahead. Hubby at the helm!
No wildlife to capture and a bit disappointed, when suddenly the sun saved the day and bid us a fond farewell in very grand style. 
It is wonderful how it happens day after day, repetitious yet unique each and every time if we only take a moment to notice. 
Have a wonderful day! 
Posted to:
http://www.kimklassencafe.com/thecafe/tag/texture-tuesday 
Kim Klassen's texture, Scratched Magic July.