Contentment

I was cleaning the closet upstairs, where this large stuffed pup had been hiding.  I keep him around for my darling niece when she comes.  I put him out of the way in the middle of the braided rug in my office--and there he stayed for a few days.

What is so cute is Bootz, who sports the same color fur, has decided the dog is hers.  When I'm working in the office she sleeps cuddled next to him, sprawls over him and even snoozes between those paws under that dog's hairy chin.

Sneaking around to get a closeup of this darling duo, Bootz rolled over and yawned into the camera--a wonderful expression of pure Contentment.

I guess I'll be keeping that humongous dog just where he is for now.

Little Friend

I was walking along the river last week when this small brown bird began to whistle his distinctive springtime call. I answered the little fellow in kind, so he kept getting closer and closer--close enough for me to take his picture.

Suddenly he seemed to realize I was not a bird and whistled a sound scolding before flitting away. But a few minutes later, he was back--I guess he liked the idea of talking to a human. We had the most interesting conversation.

Morning's Glory

I don't usually put up more than one photo on this blog. But this morning's splendor caught me by surprise . . . as did the news that our dear old friend Henry flew away to heaven last night.

He wasn't feeling too well--so to be free of the pain and weakness he had, must have been a revelation of glorious freedom.

His flight from this world into the next...

Must have been breathtaking.

Good bye, dear Henry. I will see you on the day I fly away to join you and so many others I love.
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In the meantime, oh, I will miss you. And I will smile when I remember you.

Neno Award

My darling sister, http://clytie-randomstuff.blogspot.com/ awarded me this very special Neno's Award! Sissy, I am truly and deeply honored. To receive such an award from you, means so much to me. I have always looked up to you, admired your gifts and talents--coveted your humor and friendship. I am SO blessed to have YOU as my sister.

And now (before I start springing a leak) a little about this award.

The award is given to those who love blogging
And love to encourage friendships through blogging
And to help others seek the reasons
Why we all love blogging.

I would like to nominate the following five blogs to also receive this beautiful award. Clytie says it best, "I wanted to say thank you to all of those who have taken time to of the many souls who inspire me, who offer such kind words, who grace blogland with their awesome talents." I can't list everyone (though I wish I could) . . . so I will start with:

1. Woman in a Window http://womaninawindow.blogspot.com/ and http://inthroughthebackdoor.blogspot.com/

I found Erin quite by accident. I eagerly read her blog, reveling in her extraordinary gift of expression. She is inspiring. I love the interesting way she sees the world. Her comments on my work and photography have been more encouraging than she could possibly know. Thank you, dear Erin.

2. Dancing With The Waves of the Sea http://wwwwherethewindblows.blogspot.com/

Sarah is a wonderful poet. Her poetry shines like a jewel, its woven words often cause me to think deeply, and she has inspired me to write poetry. Thank you, dear girl!

3. Mudbay Musings http://mudbaymusings.blogspot.com/

Catherine has the soul of an artist. Her observations and photography bless my heart. But not just that--she has taken time to encourage me as an artist. I am SO grateful to know this lovely thoughtful woman.

4. Looking to the Sun and Stars http://lookingtothesunandstars.blogspot.com/

I have been so fascinated by this wonderful lady's life-story. She has been such an encouragment to me. She is very brave, and inspires me in so many ways.

5. Iwings http://iwings.blogspot.com/

This dear lady is an incredible photographer. Her closeups of birds make my fingers itch for pen and paper. She has been an inspiration to me as a photographer, as she catches the antics of the wildlife surrounding her home, and displays the beauty of snail, insect, fern and flower.
My sweet sis Clytie has already awarded some of you , whom I would have listed here. (rassspberriessssszzz) Deann, you know you are so very precious to me--I am SURE we are somehow related, Sissy. Then there's Tera, Cedar, Jann, Marie, Nina, Cloudhands, Lydia, Be Not Forgot, Acorn Moon, MeKeel, Sharon, Pearl, Suzy, Lois, Holly, Peggy, Tammie and Tami . . . What a fabulous group of bloggers!!!

Thank you to each and every one of you. ((hugs))

Heart on a Leaf

I have known her since we were in our early 20's. She is an exquisite woman, with a wonderful flare for clothing and design. She is also a gifted artist, who works with paper, paint, the sun and plants to create some of the most amazing natural artwork I've ever seen.

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She came for a visit yesterday bearing gifts for me and the girls. What a delight. Then with a pause and a twinkle she said, "I have something special for you, Beth." From the folds of a slim book thrust into her chic purse, she withdrew a leaf and placed it carefully into my hands.

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I gasped. She smiled. "When I found this leaf," she said in her lovely silvery voice. "I knew it was for you."

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A gift so beautifully fragile---so genuinely surprising and unexpectedly perfect, I was touched with awe.

Best Buds

There is something so precious about true friendship. I found these two lovelies in my garden, chatting away in the early morning sun. It is obvious they are best buds. If they were human, they'd be sitting outside a country coffeeshop laughing together over a steaming cup of coffee.