Good Bye Dear Bootz

Our precious Bootz flew away to Cat Heaven yesterday morning.  She seemed to be under the weather so I took her to the vet.  X-rays revealed our darling girl had an enlarged heart and a collapsed lung--with only hours left to live.  The Vet said she either contracted a virus, or cancer which had been coming on for some time.  Thankfully, up until yesterday morning, Bootz had no symptoms of pain or discomfort, whatsoever.

This morning in the twilight of sleep, I felt her snuggled against my side--I felt the warmth and the weight of her body there.  But as I awoke, I realized once again, our small companion has gone.  Our hearts are broken, but how grateful we are to have known her these six months.

Hole Heart - Guest Hear Thursday

I caught this heart at Fort Stevens in Washington State.  Fort Stevens is a mysterious place, full of underground passages and rooms--some of them are so dark you can't see your hand in front of your face. There is a feeling about it I often sense at The Abandoned where Sissy and I walk together. 

Here the sea's salt has rusted a hole, through metal walls, in the shape of a heart.  This is my favorite of all the hearts I've found.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Office Cat

Here is Bootz the Cat sitting on my office desk.  She loves to watch squirrels and birds from there.  Bootz is a Ragdoll.  She's HUGE!  We are so fortunate to have found her.  She fills our home with laughter and fun.

It is true!  "A house without a cat is like a kiss without a hug!" - Sunny

Skillet Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

I was making breakfast the other day--and what did I see but an egg yolk heart staring up from the pan at me!  I'm back after four weeks of a very busy holiday season!  It is so GREAT to be back. 

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Face in the Mist

A few years ago, my adopted Brother Glenn took me to the Redwood Forests--it was a trip I'd dreamed of for years.  Above you see one of the carven faces you can find in the forest there.

When I went through the pictures after I returned home, I found a face in the mist on the right hand side of this picture. Can you see it?  Then, this morning, after all these years, I was looking through these old photos to find something to post and noticed an eery resemblance to the carved face pictured at the top.

But then, if you think about it, the Redwood Forest is after all a place of mystery.

Wooden Mushrooms

Well, they aren't really made of wood!  Though at first glance it almost seems they might be.  Note the water in the middle is in the shape of a heart.

My Friend Linda and I found them one misty afternoon, as we'd embarked on a quick walk.  She was from out of town and before they left, she wanted to see the "Curly Cue House" I had told her about.   Then a half block away, we discovered these palm-sized mushrooms.

This one looks like one of those sculpted water features!

And we did get to see the Curly Cue House, too.  See the flamingo heart?

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Beach Doodle Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

 Sissy and I were so blessed to spend time together by the sea.  Here the snow covers the sand down to the waterline.  In the distance is Tea Cup Rock--probably because of the tiny handle on the right hand side!  I love the teal color of the waves and the way the clouds waft an upside down heart overhead.

 Of course on our walks along the sands--we found many hearts--this heart rock was one of my favorites.

There's a couple of hearts in this one, too--it is sea weed with snow drifting against its sides.  Clytie and I call this a Beach Doodle Heart!  What a marvelous time we had by the sea, where the snow fell and the sun shone against the ceaseless song of the waves.


For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Sissy's Sea Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

Yes that is snow on the beach--and my darling Sissy Clytie taking pictures of her beloved ocean.  As you can see--there is a Sea Heart out in the waves up over her left shoulder.  I only enhanced it a small bit.

It is not surprising the Sea sent this little love gift to my precious Sissy!  Just perfect for Guest Heart Thursday!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Opal Sunset

There is nothing more beautiful than a sunset over the sea.  This was taken last January.  Do you notice the heart in the middle of the blue sky?  I thought this appropriate for today's blog, because Sissy, Queen of Hearts and I are going to the coast for a few days.  What joy, my beloved sister, our cameras in hand, the wind and waves--and maybe snow--a girl couldn't ask for more.  (grin)

Fountain in the Window - Weekend Reflections

Last summer I caught this amazing picture of the fountain in one of our town's antique shops.  Dan owns this amazing place--he totally restored the building, which is a lovely work of art in itself.  You can see tall trees behind the fountain. These are honey trees, which perfume the air in early Spring.  There is an amphetheater and playground below and just beyond flows the Willamette River.  On the other side of the river you can see the hills of South Salem.

Summer in our town is beautiful--pots of hanging flowers grace the old brick buildings and one can hear the children playing in the park.  There are movies and special music groups in the park each week in summer, along with our fabulous Fourth of July celebration, which includes a hometown parade and great fireworks over the river, along with a waterfront full of doodads and good food.

(sigh)  I'm already longing for spring and summer.  I suppose it will come soon enough.

For more wonderful reflections from around the world, be sure to visit James at Weekend Reflections.

Unexpected Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

 I was stacking wood when I came across this Unexpected Heart no bigger than my smallest fingernail.  Such an exquisitely perfect little fellow.

Then I noticed an entire forest of these tiny beauties.

I caught their perfectly scalloped edges from underneath.  One never knows what amazing things one might see--even in a wood pile!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Faery Greetings

Spring came early to the forests of our childhood.  Sissy and I found an amazing array of spring flowers this year.  Here is a photo of the old trees--Can you see the faery greeting in the delicate green of the forest floor?

I love to watch the seasons--walking with my darling Sissy in the woods where we played as children.  The magic is still there.

Dance of the Lamps - Weekend Reflections

I love the name Dance of the Lamps.  Our friend Linda, visiting from California came along for a tour of the abandoned mega church near my parent's home.  Clytie and I had a great time showing her around.  Linda is the one who, upon seeing this sight exclaimed, "It's the dance of the lamps!"  As indeed it is.

For more wonderful reflections from around the world, be sure to visit James at Weekend Reflections.

The Mushroom and the Dew Drop - Weekend Reflections

Walking through the grass, I came upon this mushroom.

It seems this shroom is speechless with amazement--she appears to be gazing at that dewdrop in the grass.  Perhaps transfixed because of her own beauty reflected there?  It is hard to say.

For more wonderful reflections from around the world, be sure to visit James at Weekend Reflections.

Heart of Fire - Guest Heart Thursday

I was just outside only a matter of minutes ago, and caught this incredibly beautiful heart of fire--it's upside down, but it is definitely a heart!  It only lasted for a moment--then it faded to a mere shadow of this colorful fire.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

The Fragrant Dew

The fragrant dew

From rosy lips

Falls gently to the ground.

To share its joy

With those who seek

To find what can't be found.

-- By Beth Niquette 

Have you ever had a moment that just falls into place?  That's what happened just now as I saw this photo -- the words just flew out of my fingertips.

Shadow of Leaf Glow - Shadow Shot Sunday

This summer while visiting my parents, I noticed the delicate green of grape leaf glowing through the shadow of the dense overhead foliage.  Something about the contrast of fir needles and fragile leaves caught my eye.  Of course, I ran for my camera to capture this interesting shadow shot.

For more amazing shadows from around the world, visit Harriet at Shadow Shot Sunday.