California here she comes!! It is for work, not a vacation.

I spent most of the afternoon working on yearbook things, so I am glad that it was a rainy afternoon.

It is time to bring out the Fall candles and fill the pumpkin candy jar!!

If at first you don't succeed!!!

The assignment: Choose one of the bumper stickers from Phil's picture and take some pictures about the one chosen.

I only have one picture today, since I am sure you are all tired of my farm pictures.
Who is my farmer? I grew up on a farm, so my Dad was my farmer and always will be.

Whenever I was coming home and saw the top of this silo come into view, I knew that home was just up the road. This is still a very comforting sight to me.

I have been so disappointed in my pictures lately so I decided to re-read parts of my many books and try to figure out what to do. I also decided to take more pictures of the same plant that I took yesterday, just to see if they are any better. The smart thing would have been to write down what I did each time - I tried a lot of different things (no one said I was smart) - they still aren't good. I think I need a teacher!!
(I didn't do any cropping or editing of any sort - these are right from the camera)

Enjoy them today for tomorrow they may be gone!!
This is a different tree, but looks like it will be very pretty!

My mother told me never to return a dish (container) to someone empty. Since this is her container and she gave me the most delicious cupcakes in it, I had better fill it with something wonderful before I give it back to her!!!

Had to do a second post for the day. The phone rang and the caller said, "Grab your camera and look down the road". I just got to front porch in time to snap these.

Another missed opportunity - Not if I can help it!
Last year this tree was just beautiful with shades of orange and golden yellows and I never got a picture. Every day I would be "too busy" to get the camera and take the picture. Not this year. I am going to take a picture of this tree once a week and watch as the color changes and hope that it is just as glorious as last year.

I began the day knowing exactly what I was going to take a picture of -
it was going to be of people walking fast, like they were in a hurry to get somewhere.
I even knew what I was going to write:
When you ask someone, "How are you?", do you stop to listen or do you hurry on your way?
Do you take time to let people know how important they are to you?
We have all gotten so busy that we (or at least I) sometimes neglect to take the time
to say the things we should to those we care about.
We should make the time because you never know what tomorrow may bring.

That was my plan and then I happened to turn the TV on this afternoon and the movie,
"Message In A Bottle" was on. Since I also have the book, this became my picture.

Great book and movie!

The story is about a man who writes a "message" to his wife and puts it in a bottle and throws it in the sea (he does this after his wife has died). It wasn't that he didn't let her know how much he loved her when she was alive; it was a way to deal with his grief.
It was a reminder to me to take the time for others and let people know how important they really are and so, my "message" remains the same!

As each day passes, more of these leaves turn color.
It can only mean one thing -
Fall is really coming!

The assignment: The masks we hide behind-

Some of us face the world looking as if we are "tough as nails".
In reality, we are like "squishy" marshmallows,
just hoping that all of the "abuses" that life throws at us won't deflate our spirit.

A light in the window to guide your way home!

New sweater, new shoes and my favorite leather jacket.
I'm good!!!

BIG FOOT!!!!
No, not really, it is my son.
I got home from work and kicked my shoes off and then saw him
stretched out with these BIG feet and got an idea.
Wow - I couldn't believe it!!
My shoe beside his shoe.

When I was very young (just a few years ago),
my grandmother would put Queen Ann's Lace in water with food coloring in it.
The flowers would then turn whatever color you added.
Of course, you have to be patient.
I have been waiting for over 2 hours and still no color!!!

Today was my "pity party" day!
This week has been tough for many reasons - it seems like everything I have ever done
(for at least the last 15 years) has been questioned.
Given that, I am feeling a little "blue" and it's raining besides!
I feel a little "beaten up" - I am hoping tomorrow is better!!
There are some shadows on the images - that means there is some sun!!
On the bright (?) side, my grandmother's famous saying, "It could always be worse."
Somehow that never made me feel better.

Lights and shadows!

"See You In September"
This was the assignment - what do you see in September.

I see wood to be moved - LOTS of wood to be moved-
I see leaves beginning to change color-
I see goldenrod (allergies and sneezes) in the fields-
I see many fields of corn waiting to be harvested.....

I know that this is only stripes down a hallway, but I really like the reflection in the nice shiny tiles.

Anyone that knows me, knows that I love candles. I particularly like this one because it is unique and also because my mother gave it to me.
This candle is fashioned after a "courting candle"
(The beeswax candle is pulled up through the clip and when the candle burns down to the clip, the girl's suitor must leave.)
I just love the history of this and the conversation that starts because of it.

A couple of years ago a friend of mine gave me this book and I often go back to look through it (it is a favorite).

Since this is the day before I go back to school and I am always worried that I will forget something or do something wrong, I decided to go back to the book.

This was the page that I came to!

When I see an old barn or house, I always wonder what is inside and what it was like years ago.

As for the bike, I really wanted to ask for a ride!