Morning Blossoms

This morning - Mother's Day - my day lilies bloomed. They hadn't done that in a few years...

This morning – Mother’s Day – my day lilies bloomed. They hadn’t done that in a few years…

2013 marks 15 years without getting to call her on this day or any other day for that matter...

2013 marks 15 years without me getting to call her on this day, or any other day for that matter…

It is satisfying to know she still has a way of saying "hello" even after all these years.

Moms do love flowers. My mom was no exception. I take comfort knowing she still has a way of saying “hello” even after all these years.

Call your mom, give her hug, plant a perennial flower so she can always make you smile.

I’m all for everyone having a Spring-blooming, perennial flower planted somewhere in the yard…just for Mom. It is a happy Mother’s Day today.

We Had A Wonderful Visit

20130511-085257.jpg
While in town last week on business (sort of), I got to spend time with the FS, FDIL, and The FGs Lincoln! Although he didn’t quite know what to think of me since it had been 6 weeks since I last saw (held) him, he warmed up with some wonderful conversation in no time….

20130511-085729.jpg
We then went for a short walk (from the car to the restaurant), the FS, Lincoln, and me….

Bridge Over (Un)Troubled Waters

20130509-215051.jpg
OK. I admit this photo was taken traveling 65 mph, the car window down, traversing over a large body of water (for inland Texas anyway), in traffic, and with one hand…but the hot air balloon next to a setting sun was just too much (good) to ignore.

20130509-215244.jpg
Under bridge in Austin – oh the things you see and notice (not to mention the occasional pedestrian passing by on the other side)

Walking a Neighborhood in Bloom

20130507-054346.jpg
My backyard Sour Cherry Tree (and not another pollinator anywhere close that I know of)

20130507-054546.jpg
Sneaking a picture of neighbor’s Daylily (this took some “stealth photography” exercises in order not to alert the yappy dogs of my encroachment)

20130507-054902.jpg
Petunias greet the postman every Spring day next door…

20130507-055043.jpg
I’ve had these Spiderlilies at my front door for many years, although the blooms get less each year as my trees give too much shade (a Jamaican gardener I once knew called these “Trashy Ladies”…he had his reasons and I’ll leave it at that)

20130507-055529.jpg
Why is it a rose – or that by any other name – poses such a photographic challenge for me…every blooming time?

20130507-055741.jpg
Petunias-a-plenty

20130507-055851.jpg
A Clematis twines the neighbor’s mailbox

20130507-060021.jpg
Spent roses (Hey! Now these are roses I can photograph!)

20130507-060205.jpg
Just about to burst open to delight all that take notice….

20130507-060333.jpg
A neighbor practicing his own version of a rooftop garden…apparently

Scottie (Easter) Sunday

The Princess - a snoot for of dirt from digging in my yard

The Princess – a snoot full of dirt from digging in my yard

The Prince turns 3 months old tomorrow...

The Prince turns 3 months old tomorrow…

He is all pup...and all moods

He is all pup…and all moods. We’re making progress on the house training too (at least I keep telling myself that)

IMG_4911

He sometimes gets so tired he just plops over….

IMG_4951

Understand that typically I scold the hounds for roughing up my plants, especially when they are just flushing their spring growth, but how can I with this look?

IMG_4827

With a Scottie, the ears are suppose to stand straight up…both of them…any time now buddy

IMG_4757

And also with the Scottie they dig for varmints…or just maybe they do it just because sometimes….

The day started with showers and cool weather. Sometimes you need to just slow down and reflect on the pace of the day....

The day started with showers and cool weather. Sometimes you need to just slow down and reflect on the pace of the day….

My "deer" buddies didn't know it was me...cuze I got me a new truck

My deer (dear) buddies didn’t know it was me…cuze I got me a new truck

But then I heard them say " oh! It you....again. Where you been lately?"

But then I heard them say ” oh! It’s you….again. Where you been lately?”

Pelicans in flight...one day I will get close enough to focus on their eyes....

Pelicans in flight…one day I will get close enough to focus on their eyes and/or beaks 

And then sometimes you just need a good fire in the fireplace to cap off the night. (that and a two-finger shot of Glenfiddich)

And then sometimes you just need a good fire in the fireplace to cap off the night. (that and a two-finger shot of Glenfiddich)

A 1st for Lincoln

Here he is: the FGs. Lincoln turned one year old on Monday, but the celebration started the Saturday before.

Here he is: the FGs. Lincoln turned one year old on Monday, but the celebration started the Saturday before.

I think he's glad the big #1 is finally here!

I think he’s glad the big #1 is finally here!

Lincoln enjoyed the water table play with all his buddies....

Lincoln enjoyed the water table play with all his buddies….

Don't we all love cake?

Don’t we all love cake? (his Daddy made the cake BTW – a great Grandma May banana recipe no less)

Lincoln's Dad and Aunt T (aka FS and FD)

Lincoln’s Dad and Aunt T (aka FS and FD)

Lincoln and his Mom at the end of a big weekend....

Lincoln and his Mom at the end of a big weekend….

Weekly Randoms

A sunrise peaks through...

I have some fun venturing off the beaten path to find way cool things to photograph. This old barn was discovered in north central Oklahoma last week. Think it has a few stories to tell?

A sunrise peaks through....

A sunrise peaks through….

Maybe it's the simplicity of it that got be to "snap-shoot" this curb address, I don't really know....

Maybe it’s the simplicity of it that got be to “snap-shoot” this curb address, I don’t really know….

One of my favorite church architecture in the area. This is the Methodist Church in downtown Fort Worth...as the sun sets.

One of my favorite church architecture in the area. This is the Methodist Church in downtown Fort Worth…as the sun sets. One of these days I will look up the symbolism in having one tower shorter than the other (although I should know already)

 

Peat Dunyvey, the workings on being a Prince

I realize this is my third post of the little Scottie, but he's so dag-gum fun...the FD thinks we ought to refer to him as "Prince of Peat" - for the time being, we're just calling him "Peaty"....

I realize this is my third post in a week of the little Scottie, but he’s so dag-gum fun…the FD thinks we ought to refer to him as “Prince of Peat” – for the time being, we’re just calling him “Peaty”….

Even if he is still pooping and peeing in the house, he's my kind of ornery....

Even if he is still pooping and peeing in the house, he’s my kind of ornery….

He's growing fast...

He’s growing fast…

And from this you can start to see a personality in the making....

And from this you can start to see a personality in the making….

The Princess Zoey? She has fully accepted him into the Royal household...as long as he knows and keeps his place.

The Princess Zoey? She has fully accepted him into the Royal household…as long as he knows and keeps his place.

Prince What’s His Name

IMG_3975For this Prince of mine I have considered many a names:

Barclay, Gowan, Callum, Toran, Margadale, Marcus, Laine, Innes, Nachton, Lyall,
Dunyvey, Tain, Barley, Haggis, Glenburgie

And considered many suggestions:

Peat, Ozzy, Fergus, Farquhar, Shamus, Duncan, Dexter, McTavish, Cosby, Milton, Angus,
Hamish, Ollie, Piper, Charming, Edward

I have a name in mind….

If you think of some other name, leave a comment. Keep in mind the Princess as  our two Scotties will be called “Zoey and _________, the Royal Heirs”. This Prince will be named by sunrise tomorrow. But I give y’all an opportunity to chime in with a poll of a narrowed list:

Push, Pull, Swords and More

I love signs...especially the home made ones....

I love signs…especially the home made ones (with a hand reflection no less)….

And some homemade signs are so blatantly simple, it makes you wonder sometimes....

And some homemade signs are so blatantly simple, it makes you wonder sometimes….

Some signs just make you go "Huh?"

Some signs just make you go “Huh?”

Others make you nod your head....

Others make you nod your head….

Some are...well...I have nothing on this one....

Some are…well…I have nothing on this one….

 

And then we always seem to come back to those "huh"" signs....

And then we always seem to come back to those “huh”" signs….

Spring Already?

20130215-195709.jpg
Surprised? Nawww, not these two youngens…the mild temps had them a bit playful and with the Scottie Princess Zoey whimpering at them, at my side, gave me a momentary pose of curiosity to capture….

20130215-195853.jpg
…that is until they go and do something like this! What did they think this was, Valentine’s Day or something? The Princess and I just looked at each other in disbelief after this oh-so-brief public display of affection (trust me on this – Scotties know these types of things should not be a common, every day occurrence).

Thursday Morning Finds

Went for a walk with the Princess Zoey this morning...she gave me a somewhat classic Scottie silhouette

Went for a walk with the Princess Zoey this morning (as usual)…she gave me a somewhat classic Scottie silhouette pose (not like usual)

This is not supposed to be happening this early in the year....

This is not supposed to be happening this early in the year….

But it's kind of purdy....

But it’s kind of purdy….

And The Princess doesn't mind the pleasant weather each morning.....

And The Princess doesn’t mind the pleasant weather each morning…..

Sun setting

 

I spent the day at Sequoyah State Park and Lodge in Hulbert, in northeastern Oklahoma (I won't bore you with reasons why unless asked, but will say it is a lot of driving for a 1 day trip).  This met me as I was leaving...not bad, huh?

I spent the day at Sequoyah State Park and Lodge in Hulbert, in northeastern Oklahoma (I won’t bore you with reasons why unless asked, but will say it is a lot of driving for a 1 day trip). This met me as I was leaving…not bad, huh?

The mirrored reflection reminded me of a painting...and I about fell in the lake  getting this photo due to sheer clumsiness....

With the actual sunset off to my left, the mirrored cloud reflection on the water (Fort Gibson Lake) reminded me of a painting…and I about fell in the lake getting this photo due to sheer clumsiness….

Scottie News

It is with much sadness that the former First Dog, Barney Bush has died. Because of my love of Scotties, the Bush’s loss is heartfelt; because of my own Mackie’s death 5 months ago, I know the memories will soon overtake the sadness. RIP Barney knowing you had one heck of a dog run for eight years.

Losing a beloved pet is always difficult; losing a Scottie dog gives reason for all Scotties to aroooo in mournful harmony.

And it is with much excitement that I announce our Princess Zoey, here a before and after photo of her day at the spa…

The Princess Zoey, with her winter coat still on....notice the tinge of redheadedness?

The Princess Zoey, with her winter coat still on….notice the tinge of redheadedness most noticeable on her chest and legs?

20130202-230813.jpg

The Princess always is relaxed (or is it stress exhaustion?) after a spa day, and always a bit shy (embarrassed?) with her buzz-cut “nakedness”…but all is better (forgotten) after a short nap.

…will soon be joined by a Prince, a handsome fellow (I assume) whose name has yet to be decided.

YES, we get a new Scottie pup in one month! Pictures will follow soon.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Beyond

Since I posted so many dag-gum photos last year, I went back a a couple years and found so other photos that might…could work for this week’s photo challenge. At least that way, you long-time followers may have forgotten about some of these. And you know me, I cannot share just one photo:

Two kids unknown to me was captured tossing pebbles into the great "beyond"...and it looks like there was a conversation to their purpose as well...

Two kids that were unknown to me were found tossing pebbles into the great “beyond”…and it looks like there was a conversation to their purpose as well…

Honor flyover, up, up, and "beyond"...

A Veteran’s Memorial celebration and honor flyover…look up, up, and “beyond”…

My dad and two brothers; I've often wondered for this brief moment captured, just what it was each was thinking "beyond" the present moment....

My dad and two brothers during a shore lunch while fishing in Canada; I’ve often wondered, for this brief moment that their together yet solitary pose was captured, just what it was each was thinking “beyond” that present moment….

the horizon "beyond"....

The beautiful Canadian horizon…”beyond”