Finish Each Day

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it well and serenely....

~ Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson

~ Photo by audrey

A Loud Thud On The Picnic Table

I'm done girls ~ can't take any more. Your party was the BEST, Deb. But you better not have another one for a long, long time. The Cantina will never be the same.... you are going to have to refill the pool with water.... all the toys are broken.... AND there are blue uniforms laying all over your yard...

This morning, I knew 4 people at the party. I now know most of the Arizona police force.... several Hollywood "hotties".... some drunk strangers who never did tell us who they are.... a good number of limousine drivers.... AND all those girls that Pam brought. I'm tired!!!

Party Crashers On The Way

Now that I've seen how totally out of control Deb's Cantina Party has become............

Well.........

These policemen are on their way and there is no telling what might happen once they arrive!!!!

BEWARE!!

To see what is happening with others attending this party, visit their Blogs:

Deb, the Hostess http://midlifepoet.blogspot.com

Anne, the Bouncer http://elmilagrostudio.blogspot.com

Ces, in Disguise http://cesandherdishes.blogspot.com

Pam, the PR President http://yoborobo.blogspot.com

Cantina Party at Deb's

Tomorrow is Deb's BIG SUMMER PARTY at Mr. B's Cantina! http://midlifepoet.blogspot.com/ She has asked us to post what we are planning to wear and what we are planning to bring. So, here we go:

First off, I am bringing a floatation device for Anne. We know she is going to need it after she has several glasses of wine. She might have to share it with me after I have a couple of Black Russians. That is why I must bring the Vodka and Kahlua. I thought I'd bring a giant platter of Nachos with the Works for all to enjoy ~ gotta have nachos!

I would LOVE to show up in this little red ruffled number, but ALAS, that is NOT going to happen. This body is not what it used to be, so since I live in cut-offs, I plan to wear them to the party ~ easy and comfortable for dancing on the tables and splashing in the pool!!

This is going to be FUN!! I'm eager to see what everyone is bringing. Now I just have to figure out how I'm going to get to Arizona by tomorrow............

Native American Ten Commandments

I received these NATIVE AMERICAN TEN COMMANDMENTS in an email. I thought they were beautiful and I wanted to share them.

1. The Earth is our Mother; care for her.

2. Honor all your relations.

3. Open your heart and soul to the Great Spirit.

4. All life is sacred; treat all things with respect.

5. Take from the Earth what is needed and nothing more.

6. Do what needs to be done for the good of all.

7. Give constant thanks to the Great Spirit for each new day.

8. Speak the truth; but only of the good in others.

9. Follow the rhythms of nature; rise and retire with the sun.

10. Enjoy life's journey, but leave no tracks.

This sweet photo is from the internet, compliments of:

http://www.squidoo.com/royalty-free-bird-photos

Good Friends

I have learned that to have a good friend is the purest of all God's gifts, for it is a love that has no exchange of payment.

~ Quote by Frances Farmer

~ Photos by audrey

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, John !!!

Hide and Seek Moon

I was looking forward to seeing the FULL MOON tonight. It was 99* here today, clear and sunny. Late afternoon to early evening brought clouds, and by nightfall the sky was very cloudy with no moon in sight.

At midnight, I went out on the porch and noticed some light in the sky. Lo and behold, that FULL MOON was playing hide and seek. I waited patiently for those dark clouds to pass.

What a beauty!!! Even with the somber clouds surrounding her, she was a sight to behold. And what a gorgeous night! I could have stayed out there for hours.

And so, another month's FULL MOON showed her beautiful face!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Samuel !!!

Eve of July's Full Moon

Tonight's moon is looking pretty close to full to me. It is a muggy, very warm night with clear skies. The moon is shining bright in all its beauty.

I am eager to see the FULL MOON tomorrow night and what it has in store.

The Full Buck Moon

Looking at the moon last night in all its brightness and beauty, you could just notice the little sliver that was missing to make it a full moon.

July's full moon rises tomorrow evening.

The Full Buck Moon

July is normally the month when the new antlers of buck deer push out of their foreheads in coatings of velvety fur.

It was also often called The Thunder Moon, for the reason that thunderstorms are most frequent during this time. Another name for this month's moon was the Full Hay Moon.

Whatever anyone chooses to call it, it is beautiful and mystical. Make sure you take a look at it tomorrow night. You never know what might happen on the night of the full moon.....

The Little Cucumber

I had to share the garden's latest gift.

Do they come any smaller?

(:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Shar !!!

Wordless Wednesday

Patience

When we develop patience, we find that we develop a reserve of calm and tranquility. We tend to be less antagonistic and more pleasant to associate with. This creates a positive atmosphere around us and it is easy for others to relate to us. Better grounded emotionally through patience, we become stronger mentally and spiritually, and tend to be healthier physically.

~Words by The Dalai Lama

~Photo by audrey

Cucumbers from the Jungle

I posted this picture on Facebook today, but FB is not posting all the comments my emails are showing I actually received, so I am posting the picture on here to see if any comments show up.

Sometimes FB and Blogger mess with our heads!

Our garden looks like a jungle and it is producing these great tasting cucumbers that are almost a foot long down to ones that are just a couple of inches. The tomatoes are almost ready. I cannot wait to have a tomato sandwich.

A Dalai Lama Thought

We can't be useful to ourselves unless we're useful to others. Whether we like it or not, we're all connected, and it is unthinkable to be happy all by oneself. Anyone concerned only by his own well-being will suffer eventually. Anyone concerned with the well-being of others takes care of himself without even thinking about it. Even if we decide to remain selfish, let us be intelligently selfish - let us help others.

~Words by The Dalai Lama

~Photo by audrey

This Is What You Shall Do

THIS IS WHAT YOU SHALL DO:

LOVE THE EARTH AND SUN AND THE ANIMALS, DESPISE RICHES, GIVE ALMS TO EVERY ONE THAT ASKS, STAND UP FOR THE STUPID AND CRAZY, DEVOTE YOUR INCOME AND LABOR TO OTHERS, HATE TYRANTS, ARGUE NOT CONCERNING GOD, HAVE PATIENCE AND INDULGENCE TOWARD THE PEOPLE, TAKE OFF YOUR HAT TO NOTHING KNOWN OR UNKNOWN OR TO ANY MAN OR NUMBER OF MEN, GO FREELY WITH POWERFUL UNEDUCATED PERSONS AND WITH THE YOUNG AND WITH THE MOTHERS OF FAMILIES, READ THESE LEAVES IN THE OPEN AIR EVERY SEASON OF EVERY YEAR OF YOUR LIFE, RE-EXAMINE ALL YOU HAVE BEEN TOLD AT SCHOOL OR CHURCH OR IN ANY BOOK, DISMISS WHATEVER INSULTS YOUR OWN SOUL, AND YOUR VERY FLESH SHALL BE A GREAT POEM AND HAVE THE RICHEST FLUENCY NOT ONLY IN ITS WORDS BUT IN THE SILENT LINES OF ITS LIPS AND FACE AND BETWEEN THE LASHES OF YOUR EYES AND IN EVERY MOTION AND JOINT OF YOUR BODY......

~Walt Whitman

Wordless Wednesday

My Happy Sunflowers

They Left The Nest Today

Well, today was the day!! I didn't get to see them actually leave the nest, but I spotted them on the ground just after. They are now well on their way to starting their lives. Mom was doing a LOT of squealing when I got close to take pictures. I wonder if there will be a third brood.

Second Brood

This photo was taken the day we left for Ohio (6-30). The eggs had hatched and we had 3 little new ones.

I was surprised to see them still in the house on our return ~ they've grown a lot and I imagine they will be leaving any day now. I'm keeping a close watch ~ I don't want to miss their exit this time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Remi !!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, John !!

Back in the Blue Ridge Mountains

This is a photo of one of the first things you see once you leave West Virginia and enter into Virginia. I always know once I see the New River that I am not far from the home area. It was hot and hazy Thursday while driving back from Ohio, so many pictures I took on the return trip are not clear and colorful.

We pulled in at our house at 6:45 and it was 98*. One look and it was apparent that we still had no rain while gone. Everything looked so dry, wilted and unhappy. After Terry and I spent about an hour watering as much as we could after a 7 hour drive, we sat down on our lawn chairs for a breather..... and the rain came!!! We were so grateful to see the rain we didn't mind that our butts were draggin'! It rained several times throughout the night and again last night. A true blessing. The temps are in the mid 80s today - a little relief from the high heat, but we are still experiencing the humidity.

We met up with dear old friends in Lynchburg, VA, for dinner last night, so I haven't had time to fully unpack and get things back to normal. Once I do, I will be blogging once again. I am eager to catch up on the posts I've missed and say hello to all of you.

Our trip to Ohio was a good trip. It was very emotional for me as I visited with several old friends who I hadn't seen in many years. I will blog about that at a later time. Also, I did make purchases for my consignment space, so I need to get things inventoried and priced. It was a successful trip!

♥ audrey

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Doug !!

Sending 4th OF JULY wishes from Ohio!! I hope everyone is in picnic mode and the full spirit of the day's celebration!