Premio Meme

Red - Nikon D40

Sharon at Mana Moon has given me another award. (Now I'm blushing, y'all.) She's just too sweet, she really is. So here goes! 7 Facts About Me:

1. I am a sixth generation Floridian. I have lived my whole life here. In July I wonder why (when it's 96 degrees and the sun is like a blow torch) and then in January I remember (72 degrees, breezy and gorgeous).

2. I love history, especially American History from 1740 through 1870. I have studied it since I was a kid. Should have gone to college and gotten a PhD. I might still be broke, but at least I'd be doing something I love.

3. Writing and photography are my two passions. No matter how bad my day has been, if I can spend even a little time writing or taking/editing photos, I am a happy camper.

4. I believe in ghosts. I've never encountered one myself, but I've believe they exist.

5. I love puppies. Some day I will own a home in the country, with acreage, and several Labs and Huskies running all over the place.

6. I have a database-like brain when it comes to movies and television. I can recall actors, movies, dates, plot lines, you name it. I used to work at Blockbuster and people would come in asking about "that guy in the movie about the thing" and everyone would ask me what movie they wanted. And I usually knew.

7. I love handwriting. I change mine depending on my mood and my patience level.

And now I tag:

Swirly Girl
Ink on my Fingers
Bella Wish
Tara Ariano
Crazy Aunt Purl
Grow Wings
Mana Moon (even though I know she already did it, I just think she deserves another award!)

Sweet Surprises

Savannah Garden - Sony Cybershot

Today I received an award! Actually, my blog did, from the ever-awesome Sharon at Mana Moon Studios. She bestowed upon me the "One Lovely Blog" award. My first award!

I started this blog as a place to post pictures and occasional ramblings. Just to put a bit of myself out into the universe. And, as many have said, the universe returns the favor. I have discovered amazing inspiration and cool new friends from this little blog of mine.

Funny how that works, isn't it?

Now it's my turn to honor some blogs (in no specific order):

Bella Wish
An Indian Summer
Ink on My Fingers
Jen Gray
A Girl & Her Journal
3191 Miles Apart
Chookooloonks
The Pioneer Woman
Bread and Honey
Adventure Journalist

Here's to inspiration and admiration!

Remembrance

Photo of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier courtesy of Google Images

"From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day who sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother."
~ from "Band of Brothers"and Shakespeare's "Henry V"

May God keep the men and women of the United States military safe from harm. You have the thanks of a grateful nation. Now and for all time.

Plans and Laughter

Desert Island Blue - Nikon D40

After my whirlwind March, I planned on getting right back to regular posting. You've probably heard the old line, "If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans"? I really know what that means. My mom had emergency surgery two weeks ago and I have been taking care of her, plus doing all the things she usually does, which, let me tell you, is a lot. By the end of the day, there's just no time or energy for posting.

But, I am making the time right now. One of the {many} lessons I've learned in the past few weeks is that I need to really prioritize my days; do the things that absolutely have to be done, and the things that are good for my health and my soul, and let everything else go. So I'm letting a lot of things go these days, like the mind-numbing time-wasters, and focusing on the things that I should be doing. In so doing, I've learned a pretty startling truth about myself: it is my nature to be rather lazy (though I would tell most people I'm just laid back-heh) until circumstances force me to be otherwise. I would love to think that I am always up at dawn, doing all the things that need doing, making my life run like clockwork - but that just ain't how it goes. But, when life puts motivation in my path I amaze even myself with how quickly and capably I can jump to. So what's the lesson here? That on some things I shouldn't wait for a medical emergency to get my act together. That while it is my tendency to slack off, it's not necessarily my pre-ordained fate. That it's not such a big thing if the laundry gets done before the email gets checked. That I can do all the things I must, and still have fun and (most importantly) be fun to live with.

So, even in the midst of something that kind of sucked, some good things have come. Some lessons have been learned. Mom is on the mend and I am more aware of myself. I'd say that's pretty awesome.

Grateful

I am big on gratitude. I think it is the cure for almost everything. Taking just a few moments to think about my life in large and small scope, and consider all that I am blessed with, makes any anxiety or bitterness disappear. In today's climate of depressing news and genuinely unfortunate circumstances around the world, being grateful makes all the difference.

So, in honor of tomorrow's holiday:
A Short List of the Things For Which I Am Thankful (in no particular order)

- my family (always)
- that I am healthy and strong
- that I haven't lost my sense of humor (or my sense of hope)
- my nephew's giggles
- honest-to-God fall weather in Florida in November (hallelujah!)
- music and photography
- never-ending inspiration from my favorite artists (see blog list to the right)


Happy Thanksgiving!