It's January, But May Is On My Mind

"Lots of people go mad in January. 

Not as many as in May, of course, nor June. 

But January is your third most common month for madness."

~Karen Joy Fowler

Sarah Canary

It has been raining, for what feels like forever, but is more closely 7 out of the last 10 days. Different amounts on different days. But the rain has been serious... it's not messing around! And where it hasn't been raining, it's been snowing! Yosemite should be absolutely gorgeous with snow, and since this coming weekend is promising to be full of bright sunshine, I know the roads will finally be open.

I can't wait! I am aiming for Sunday, as that will be the middle of the three day weekend. My files of winter photos are seriously lacking, so hopefully it will be a successful photo jaunt. All I need is Alan, my camera, some snow, and a little bit of wanderlust. Well, actually, it would help if my Fibromyalgia isn't raging, so I will have to cross my fingers about that.

But honestly, even if I am in pain from head to foot, I need to get out and just do my photos. It's important to clear the winter blues by smelling the cold, fresh air, and distancing myself from the things I have no control over. Life has a mind of it's own. 

Like the day I took the photo above. It was literally my last day in our cottage in Berkeley. I was dead on my feet, just exhausted from packing and moving, but I needed to get out of the cottage for a bit. The landlord was coming by for a walk through, and Alan knew I was hurt and upset, so rather than see me lose my composure, he held it all for me, and I took my camera and went to a nearby park.

These gorgeous flowers were in full, beautiful glory! I spent about an hour or so just taking in the lovlieness of the park. I sat under one of my favorite trees, and said my goodbyes. That was one of the most hurtful aspects of leaving the East Bay, saying goodbye to that park, which was a second home to me. I still visit the park when I need to go to the Bay Area, and it is just amazingly pretty no matter what season we happen to be in. And even though I am a million miles away, it still feels like home whenever I visit, or when I go hopping around my archives, and I see these white flowers.

Flowers: Paeonia lacitfloria "Krinkled White" Peony

Mood: Quiet

~Me

 

Rhetorical Questions

"It isn't what you have or who you are or where you are

 or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. 

It is what you think about it."

~Dale Carnegie

How To Win Friends And Influence People

If the past week has taught me one thing, it would be that I felt better, inside and out, when I was able to get out with the camera and do some photography. That's the great thing about vacations, they give you a chance to break away from the things that hold you back, or cause you stress. Those things are very different for Alan and I. For him, it meant taking a break from his job. He got to stay up late, sleep in, and watch a ton of TV! He played video games and read. He listened to music, and me bitch about politics! He doesn't mind my complaining, and screaming at the TV, in fact he usually either laughs or joins in!

The vacation for me meant a break from cooking every day. Not that I mind cooking, I don't, in fact I rather enjoy it, but with the relaxed schedule it was nice to sometimes go out for a meal together. I also got to stay up late, and sleep in late. NICE! But the biggest benefit was being able to do a ton of photography and see some new places, such as Half Dome, on our car ride to Yosemite. 

We both feel better, so I guess the vacation was a success! Now comes the difficult part, keeping, even just to a small degree, the elements of our time off that did us the most good, the rest of the year! It's 11 months until vacation rolls around again, and that time will either go by really fast, and mostly uneventful, or it will drag on, and on, and on. With Trump set to be officially sworn in this coming January, I have no idea what the future holds. Who knows?

Shrug.

That question was rhetorical by the way! If you do know, don't tell me. I don't want to know! Lets all be surprised... shall we?

 Leaf Of The Day

November 15th 2016

Mood: Quiet

~Me  

 

Come Into My Parlor, Said The Spider To The Fly...

"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the Spider to the Fly,

 "Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy."

~Mary Horwitt

~The Spider And The Fly: A Fable

I am not big fan of spiders, mind you, but I kinda loved this pretty little green spider I spotted on a white flower in Golden Gate Park. 

Don't you just love it's shape?

The Spider And The Fly: A Fable

"Will you walk into my parlor?" said the spider to the fly;

"Tis the prettiest little parlor what ever you did spy.

The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,

And I have many pretty things to show when you are there."

"O no, no," said the little fly, "To as me is in vain,

For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;

Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the spider to the fly.

"There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin,

And if you rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in."

"O no, no," said the little fly, "for I've often heard it said, 

They NEVER, NEVER WAKE again who sleep upon YOUR bed."

Said the cunning spider to the fly, "Dear friend, what shall I do, 

To prove the warn affection I've always felt for you?

I have within my pantry good store of all that's nice;

I'm sure you're very welcome; will you please to take a slice?"

"O no, no," said the little fly, "kind sir, that cannot be;

I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see."

"Sweet creature!" said the spider, "you're witty and you're wise,

How handsome are your gauzy wings, how  brilliant are your eyes!

I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf,

If you'll step in one moment dear, you shall behold yourself."

"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to say,

And bidding you good-morning NOW, I'll call ANOTHER day."

The spider turned him round about, and went into his den,

For well he knew the silly fly would soon be back again:

So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly, 

And set his table ready to dine upon the fly.

Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing, 

"Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with the pearl and silver wing:

Your robes are green and purple; there's a crest upon your head;

Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead."

Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little fly,

Hearing his wily flattering words, came slowly flitting by.

With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,

Thinking only of her crested head - POOR FOOLISH THING! At last.

Up jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast.

He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,

Within his little parlor; but she ne'er came out again!

And now, dear little children, who may this story read, 

To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed;

Unto an evil counselor close heart, and ear, and eye, 

And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly.

 

Mood: Content

~Me :)

Summer Is Coming!

Summer Is Coming
By Dora Goodale

Summer is coming! the soft breezes whisper;
Summer is coming! the glad birdies sing,
Summer is coming! I hear her quick footsteps;

Take your last look at beautiful spring.

Lightly, she steps from her throne in the woodlands:
Summer is coming and I cannot stay;
Two of my children have crept from my bosom:
April has left me but lingering May.

What tho' bright summer is crowned with roses.
Deep in the forest Arbutus doth hide;
I am the herald of all the rejoicing me? She cried.

Down in the meadow she stoops to the daisies,
Plucks the first bloom from the apple tree's bough:
Autumn will rob of all the sweet apples;
I will take one from her store of them now.

Summer is coming! I hear the glad echo;
Clearly it rings o'er the mountain and plain.
Sorrowful spring leaves the beautiful woodlands,
Bright, happy summer begins her sweet reign.

Ok, I know, I know... summer is still a little over a week away, but it was a lovely nearly summer's day yesterday, and I just had to show you what I saw from my bike. :) I am seeing the most amazing things lately. I liked this scene very much. The angle, the color of the day... and oh the flowers. I turned a corner, and there they were in a small patch. They were tall and strong, and seemed to be reaching for the sun. Yeah... they were reaching for the sun!

;)

-OndineMonet
"Summer Is Coming"
Tilden Park
Berkeley, California
June 14, 2008
Afternoon