Interlude in Paradise

In many ways, Florida was paradise.

At 75 degrees, it was perfect for hanging a sundress on my pasty white frame.

The wild life was more than willing to put on a show!

I loved the "roadside gators"!

The sunrises were to die for... (and how odd it was to see the sun rise out of the ocean instead of setting into the ocean!)

But the humidity as it warmed the day we left, convinced me that while my lungs had enjoyed the brief interlude, they weren't destined to linger amidst the palm trees and alligators in Florida.

So happy to be back in the Pacific Northwest!

And how are you?

Lovely

Lovely weekend with my beloved. Still thinking of sky and color.

Working long hours this week but it will all be worth it!

Life is such a challenge sometimes. I love rising to the occasion.

Definitely a glass half full kind of a gal!

Happy Monday!

Snap!

The cold snap with the ice fog is finally over. The lungs are a little twitchy but I'm hoping they'll get over their bad selves!

I'm thinking this morning, not about summer, but about the waterfront. Ocean, seaside, beach, whatever you choose to call it. I love being next to the water. It's a bonus that my lungs love it too! It's the best air condioner ever with the breeze keeping the air fresh for optimum breathing!

And then there's the beauty...

What do you like about the beach?

Contrast

Shot in the eastern Sierras in September. I love the contrast between the up to date fences and the broken barn. A life well lived.

A few miles later... your average rest area next to a dry lake in central California, a seldom used turnoff off a less traveled road. The silence broken by a weed eater in the distance....and off to the side, this bloom...

A volunteer, a splash of remarkable color popping up in an unremarkable place.

Donner Pass

TOG and I enjoyed our first road trip so much, we took a few days for a mini road trip in early September. This trip took us back over the Sierras and we stopped at Donner Pass in Northern California. There are some lovely little hikes at the top of the pass and we took the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful scenery....

Even though neither of us had hiking boots on, the loop we chose was very ill-prepared-hiker friendly!

The trees were utterly fascinating and I loved looking at the dead soldiers on the forest floor. And then TOG pointed up...

I swear this tree had the most perfect branches!

TOG was enjoying his camera as well. I love shooting with him because we see things so differently at times!

But we both agreed on these last two shots... TOG and I loved finding this boulder field in the middle of the forest... So stark and grey in the midst of the trees. But a half mile further....

And here was a beautiful mountain pool soaking up the sun!

One of things we love most about road trips are the little side adventures waiting for the curious traveler. All you have to do is stop to have them.

Wishing you a beautiful weekend in your neck of the woods!

AG out!

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.  Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.  ~John Muir

Thankful

I was doing a whole series of posts on Facebook about what I was thankful for... but I think I can do a better job here with some visuals!

I am always thankful for my Old Goat... prickly, nature loving, vivid, appealing... these are all words that describe him!

I'm thankful for my camera, through which the world is an ever present canvas to be explored...

I'm thankful for the Brute Squad who spend their time keeping the fence under surveillance and entertaining us with their antics...

I'm thankful for family...

I'm thankful for the beauty I see everyday on the way to work...

I'm thankful for all the little gadgets that keep my lungs on board...

And all the things unexpected in life that make you smile!

I'm thankful for football! And coaches!

And friends that make life sweeter!

Wishing you all the blessings in life as you head into the final month of the year!

AG out!

Catching the moon

I was really lucky to wake up the other night and catch the supermoon from my backyard. The Brute Squad thought it was pretty odd to see me in my pyjamas, tiptoeing around the back yard in the middle of the night with my camera. They were happy to escort me throught the too-tall-grass over to the fence which I used as an impromptu tripod.

Catching a shot of the moon had been a goal I'd set, but one I didn't think I'd achieve. The insomnia has been pretty bad lately and I'm falling asleep earlier than ever. But I've found that being more determined has helped me to achieve some goals I've been putting off.

I've been very focused on losing some of my steroid weight. Back in January the doctor assured me that losing some weight would help my asthma. So this week I tried bike riding again. I've got a ways to go. All was well the first couple days, and then the lungs pitched a fit. So, I'm waiting til they settle and then we'll start in again!

I'm determined to catch the moon in more ways than one!

Wishing all the moms out there a wonderful mothers day!

AG out!

Spring... at last

Spring has sprung in the Northwest. TOG's flowers are in full bloom and the weather is starting to warm up. I love Spring, even more than Summer or Fall. Everything in my yard is coming to life. My raspberries are loaded with blooms and I'm craving asparagus and other spring foods.

The dogs are enjoying the sun streaming in through the windows and even starting to spend more time outside. The fridgid dash between the raindrops to do their business in the winter are becoming a memory and there are tons of morning smells that must be explored and lingered over while the spring birds sing of nests and um, bugs...

My camera and I have been spending more time outside, enjoying the changes . TOG's daffodils put on a show with these beautiful double blooms with yellow streaks. Worth crawling around in the grass to get a shot.

Worth sitting at the pier and watching the sun set...

Happy Spring!

AG

Snow Day

There have been rumblings in Seattle Media about the snow coming! We haven't had any yet this winter, so there was quite a bit of anticipation! And it actually did snow!

During a break in the snowfall, Maddie and I went out front to get her perspective...

She pronounced it Chilly! (this is her abused look)

Apparently Chihuahuas aren't on board for 34 degrees and snow. Who knew?

Wishing you a beautiful day in your neighborhood!

Warmly, AG

Take 2! Auction!

Although I didn't decide until the very last minute, these are the two shots I selected and framed for the auction.

Some good friends of ours that attended the auction bought the set of prints which made me very happy.

I like to think that whoever hangs them on the wall will really enjoy them!

As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday, I am wishing you and yours the happiest of times with your family and friends.

Peace