tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63930274148702747442024-03-05T23:34:49.216-05:00Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~An assortment of thoughts, inspirations, fiction and old fashioned rambling.Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.comBlogger142125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-25651137979258497732012-10-24T01:10:00.001-04:002012-10-24T01:10:34.121-04:00FOCUS ON THIS… WEEK #24 ~ COFFEE<p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GO_3NZvp-u0/UId4OQ32-EI/AAAAAAAABK0/AatGAl_LNv0/s1600-h/9-23-12%252520002%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="9-23-12 002" alt="9-23-12 002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zo4kMJhUGzU/UId4PBGSrbI/AAAAAAAABK8/FhO3l5aWO8Q/9-23-12%252520002_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p align="left">One of the very best things about retirement is mornings. I love my mornings. When I worked, it was rush to get ready for work, then rush to get to work on time. I dreamed about lingering over my coffee – other than only on the weekends.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQPw3az328fzRz5U-IFAy-fHRmXU95KmQGkriK6eieBBE9PykFZ4ZYop2joOmuHa2azgJtMUjMQzjB83Y6oXsDMZcJ_tPR-SwlpZ_XSa6W9ua2GQTuT0fjqKhaUsCKQBeOstvi_V1KDeB/s1600-h/9-23-12%252520008%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="9-23-12 008" alt="9-23-12 008" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l2qz1Z7OueU/UId4QswQUgI/AAAAAAAABLM/y507bt1ezII/9-23-12%252520008_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p align="left">Being retired feels like the best part of my life! I have never felt so free. I love my retirement mug! It makes me happy! </p> <p align="left">Recently, my sister and I took a trip home. I couldn’t help but think about how trips were so rushed when I had a job to return to. Back in those days, when I drove to NY, it was often straight through. And I needed lots of coffee to keep me awake. </p> <p align="left">I saw a truck on my trip that tickled my fancy. My sister said that there needs to be a law just for me and that law would be to prohibit taking photos while driving. And yet, I sneaked in this one last week…</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gVvv6iXLLaE/UId4RhXR8NI/AAAAAAAABLU/x5oEWQAIxT4/s1600-h/trip%25252010-12%252520024%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="trip 10-12 024" alt="trip 10-12 024" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jx5BkKRXr7U/UId4SBQ7OCI/AAAAAAAABLc/TZQcymBN19U/trip%25252010-12%252520024_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="375"></a></p> <p align="left">How could I resist?</p> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-81562260323567898362012-10-10T15:24:00.001-04:002012-10-10T15:24:00.135-04:00Week #23 ~ AUTUMN IN NEW YORK<p> </p> <p>My parents moved to Florida when I was 10 years old. I didn’t want to move to Florida, but my parents refused to leave me here in NY alone…LOL… This week, I am in NY and enjoying the beauty of autumn. </p> <p>If you are familiar with Florida climate, you are aware that we have a barely perceptible change in seasons. We often joke that our winters are maybe 5 days long and summer seems to last forever. There is a subtle difference between spring and fall, but don’t blink or you may miss both seasons. Well… I have exaggerated a bit, but not by much. </p> <p>Where I live, the leaves on the trees do not change with the season. The leaves on our trees in Florida change from green to brown with no beauty in between. Therefore, do I need to tell you just how much I am enjoying my little time in NY at this time of year? </p> <p>Of course, I am snapping pics here and there. I’ll just share a few with you. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikiemCVN6_JtgnnTTx0OY5-yNPtHNHAv1kAVUf7Euhurwja8itkvkJR9O8twosl_WjPJ1u2APbhM9tYuOmfp9Ea4iIkJ-S0q3AeIj5SPFZnNZqHEyddoDA3CBZI4SfzzHPKeLss-xbbgIu/s1600-h/farm%252520058%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="farm 058" alt="farm 058" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fj-DdHhPnMI/UHXLIJMnBiI/AAAAAAAABIk/MIJrwb3i4Yk/farm%252520058_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="401"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM1g4nCu3Y60rm8FCJyJlos9dQhll2Y8wuoSUhyphenhyphenDo42BUCGXqw3f1GckcjkI2oYTI0xb0oZ9HfpTF-tnxWhjz6yPbDzq5mnjs_RHPuT1-7GZY3t7jlxaNBD7uCtYSZyq9rJayPxJTp2VPt/s1600-h/farm%252520088%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="farm 088" alt="farm 088" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nk_DfNKETg4/UHXLJuMOu_I/AAAAAAAABI0/Fwfdg1D6UAw/farm%252520088_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="397"></a></p> <p>This year is what my Mom called an Indian Summer. The temperatures have been mild and the weather nice. Just the kind of days to make one glad to be alive. I was both surprised and delighted to see the flowers.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lQrZH7KGZIw/UHXLKVzzuxI/AAAAAAAABI8/jYVgL-4fFlY/s1600-h/farm%252520052%252520-%252520Copy%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="farm 052 - Copy" alt="farm 052 - Copy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Bm4D5m8J5Fo/UHXLK9G5bbI/AAAAAAAABJE/CfDNeV6Pq7M/farm%252520052%252520-%252520Copy_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="401"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-abehFwwcYhw/UHXLL76rINI/AAAAAAAABJM/Ka3g5dbGn2A/s1600-h/farm%252520068%252520-%252520Copy%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="farm 068 - Copy" alt="farm 068 - Copy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4v1Fry0uLWI/UHXLNOqAbpI/AAAAAAAABJU/agMhyc3SJZo/farm%252520068%252520-%252520Copy_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="401"></a></p> <p>In addition to the colors, I am enjoying the rustic sights.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2dCjMXYP8ac/UHXLNyNwzDI/AAAAAAAABJc/6PBihS220h4/s1600-h/farm%252520040%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="farm 040" alt="farm 040" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TpEtNMiV1XE/UHXLOuM1AlI/AAAAAAAABJk/GwljEJ1ndxA/farm%252520040_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="401"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tPhf72HjSIA/UHXLPThzxqI/AAAAAAAABJs/B8NXYugXwq0/s1600-h/farm%252520086%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="farm 086" alt="farm 086" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-akdw8CJv3vo/UHXLQeBW3TI/AAAAAAAABJ0/tep8D2LgX9A/farm%252520086_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="401"></a></p> <p>Yes… That is our outhouse and it is still in use. If you have never used an outhouse, let me tell you that there is a feeling of freedom to be able to sit and ponder the country scenery while taking care of business. Oops…Did I just put that on the internet??? LOL</p> <p>Of course, we visited our Mother’s grave. I think it must be lovelier in the Autumn than it would be in Spring.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NiNQUxiwzHc/UHXLRTVL2fI/AAAAAAAABJ8/iqzkvRUcVV8/s1600-h/fall%252520in%252520NY%252520048%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="fall in NY 048" alt="fall in NY 048" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9fz2YGUgYyI/UHXLR8M4G6I/AAAAAAAABKE/NcX6gd4NKxo/fall%252520in%252520NY%252520048_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="401"></a></p> <p>The leaves on her grave were especially lovely. She would be pleased with the colors.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ufyyZkRvhjg/UHXLSwW7qCI/AAAAAAAABKM/wdly3yWCXsI/s1600-h/fall%252520leaves%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="fall leaves" alt="fall leaves" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-E6X2e9UZmZ8/UHXLTqOzF9I/AAAAAAAABKU/yEpZI5opeCs/fall%252520leaves_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="535"></a></p> <p>Tomorrow, I will leave New York for probably the last time in my life. All I can take away with me are a few photos and my memories. I will miss all this beauty once again and once and for all…</p> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-13710674462287774992012-10-03T21:59:00.000-04:002012-10-03T21:59:19.848-04:00WEEK #22 ~ THIS OLD HOUSESo, I was driving down the highway today when I spotted a great old stone house....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxh2L1ExMyaGXj3Es0lcHKXsM1YlOgMIkSqRoViu0rgYjjh5mnvU8vCkaTfLLy5E7MOORlBUUWEPBg3mtPUDeaXdin6wUIUJi5uUa-VZ_SuBOabWabVwR_h6OxRVOM_5E10i75LGU92xz/s1600/this+old+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxh2L1ExMyaGXj3Es0lcHKXsM1YlOgMIkSqRoViu0rgYjjh5mnvU8vCkaTfLLy5E7MOORlBUUWEPBg3mtPUDeaXdin6wUIUJi5uUa-VZ_SuBOabWabVwR_h6OxRVOM_5E10i75LGU92xz/s400/this+old+house.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sorry the photo is crooked. Like I said, I was driving...hee hee</div>
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BTW... The property is For Sale...</div>
Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-45110621434209329272012-09-24T00:13:00.001-04:002012-09-24T00:13:14.123-04:00FOCUS ON THIS ~ WEEK #15 ~ TREES<p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_m5v73MLn7o/UF_dvSN69tI/AAAAAAAABGk/J170OfNquP8/s1600-h/Little%252520dog%252520lost%2525204-18-2010%252520014%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="Little dog lost 4-18-2010 014" alt="Little dog lost 4-18-2010 014" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH77Un2HYtPmgTo7vD4K1X_pfgbnV8iU7u4XeGoepSDhCPFtc1fxag6iCWVa3_bIKcWizecJG6PDcN1cj6kua9-Hkrnc8WKiqMiIlVdeEwqwJaWXsTt6nKXeHASz9EyYcsh8yuDoypexRW/?imgmax=800" width="575" height="444"></a></p> <p><strong>I first read this poem in high school and it has been with me, in my mind and heart, for about 50 years. I love the poem and so have used it for inspiration in this blog...</strong> <p><strong></strong> <p align="center"><strong>TREES</strong> <p align="center"><strong></strong> <h3 align="center"><font size="5">I think that I shall never see</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="5">A poem lovely as a tree.</font></h3> <p align="center"><strong></strong> </p> <h3 align="center"><font size="5">A tree whose hungry mouth is prest</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="5">Against the sweet earth’s flowing breast;</font></h3> <p align="center"><strong></strong> </p> <h3 align="center"><font size="5">A tree that looks at God all day,</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="5">And lifts her leafy arms to pray;</font></h3> <p align="center"><strong></strong> </p> <h3 align="center"><font size="5">A tree that may in summer wear</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="5">A nest of robins in her hair;</font></h3> <p align="center"><strong></strong> </p> <h3 align="center"><font size="5">Upon whose bosom snow has lain’</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="5">Who intimately lives with rain.</font></h3> <p align="center"><strong></strong> </p> <h3 align="center"><font size="5">Poems are made by fools like me,</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="5">But only God can make a tree…</font></h3> <p align="center"><strong></strong> </p> <h3 align="center"><font size="5">By Joyce Kilmer ~ 1886-1918</font></h3> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AvibXoH6J9c/UF_dw8YfNSI/AAAAAAAABG0/6HKGb4OGif4/s1600-h/random%252520shots%2525202-7-10%252520037%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="random shots 2-7-10 037" alt="random shots 2-7-10 037" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J8FiHX6Ui84/UF_dxnXfQaI/AAAAAAAABG8/Qzgjmweko8w/random%252520shots%2525202-7-10%252520037_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="575" height="440"></a></p> <p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbXNe9pSue6nt0AeZtbwb5kz0tLLATtOJ8mpl23oJADD5B8-5BTB5vQReRRH-4BeXlWe1bzN8bObuIGfj549zFZ1Zz-yrK9CW6ct_ECQmoawWj6SNFQuyMXZfaW7kj7Wz-xevJHxR5RJ9Z/s1600-h/TREES%252520001%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="TREES 001" alt="TREES 001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dUMlR7-Pymo/UF_dzXITkpI/AAAAAAAABHM/YpCKPjZ4C14/TREES%252520001_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="575" height="431"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DOtflGSGIns/UF_d0DX5wSI/AAAAAAAABHU/W1r8Fe11_bM/s1600-h/TREES%252520009%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="TREES 009" alt="TREES 009" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFIhWgXnkSSFIDmZvWYdKUuPBSi6l-uqMoW7UbSa82Zrmu24TisfEB3Ga_wG58uJSE364pu9MOzJTrDwl49XXl6uxUOghz_7w91vB77d_rDT7OlV04mrGVnrfVmoj5hhns3uXyg58Wze-B/?imgmax=800" width="575" height="431"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PzAmjNDbtyo/UF_d1bRYf3I/AAAAAAAABHk/B7zw_w_yymI/s1600-h/random%252520shots%2525202-7-10%252520113%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="random shots 2-7-10 113" alt="random shots 2-7-10 113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KsdBElLOKL18YjmYWoXhbqCpskDXAsOvm6zVGNVLuD2pQc9kgeM_wi9khKWroJSM6peNgQ4OxdJm6bQ4b8jyARxVdhU8m2BFZRsV6rwPcOdPXlHYZ3-tEwoZ_OzE5RUDclr5btlZv6Mv/?imgmax=800" width="575" height="431"></a></p> <h3 align="center"><font size="5">I think that I shall never see</font></h3> <h3 align="center"><font size="5">A poem as lovely as a tree.</font></h3> <p align="center"><strong>Truly…</strong></p> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-47360289266160975532012-08-01T16:00:00.001-04:002012-08-01T16:00:27.753-04:00FOCUS ON THIS… WEEK #13 ~ HOT<p> </p> <p align="center">With the temperature hovering in the mid-90’s day after hotter-than-hell day here in Florida, I am practicing tried and true ways to keep cool and to stay hydrated. So, while I sit in front of the air conditioner, I am consuming mass quantities of one or more of my following refreshment solutions….</p> <p align="center"><br><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wnBQ2G3irok/UBmKx6sAS0I/AAAAAAAABE4/rEzjRrNgb3Y/s1600-h/delicious%252520016%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="delicious 016" alt="delicious 016" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LM4FpcXiht8/UBmKysQeHOI/AAAAAAAABFA/-KMelpAPNnw/delicious%252520016_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="713"></a><br></p> <p align="center">This is nothing more than lemon, lime and filtered water. Be sure to wash your fruit well! It is a cool drink that is guaranteed to be refreshing. Of course, you can add sugar and call it lemonade/limeade. I just prefer without sugar.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L2FSseMF1aI/UBmKzB_V8eI/AAAAAAAABFI/CqNe22MIrnw/s1600-h/delicious%252520032%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="delicious 032" alt="delicious 032" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5UfMXUWdWzc/UBmKzseQM_I/AAAAAAAABFQ/OTRbwfTjed8/delicious%252520032_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="401"></a></p> <p align="center">Up there among my favorites is tonic water with raspberries and a sprig of mint. In this one, I have used spearmint – fresh from my little container garden!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oIw3SA4KOkc/UBmK0WLGqqI/AAAAAAAABFY/-aulm6cvJyc/s1600-h/strawberry%252520water%252520008%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="strawberry water 008" alt="strawberry water 008" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkd68KId7HO64Y5OMsFlrMv1e-Jd17qlzfgxMunkeG1peLFpOr6gQHr_5-WmBCZyJ5f1orrys-bktFL4SqkRipuBZ1JmoBJgllR19s3M428bBywQ56rYlRxUbVZZ2PF2sOAOB22OaLgbrr/?imgmax=800" width="535" height="401"></a></p> <p align="center">Filtered water with any kind of fruit is just great. This one is simply filtered water, a sliced strawberry and a sprig of regular mint – also from my container garden…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-swu9uIaQRTQ/UBmK1aggLbI/AAAAAAAABFo/7p5Ru6mH6HE/s1600-h/Reese%252520cup%252520and%252520pasta%252520salad%252520010%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Reese cup and pasta salad 010" alt="Reese cup and pasta salad 010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cG8naUDfjIg/UBmK17ZbyiI/AAAAAAAABFw/3CS4NHpTShI/Reese%252520cup%252520and%252520pasta%252520salad%252520010_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="401"></a></p> <p align="center">I get creative with salads. A pasta salad is a great meal all by itself! Other favorites in this house include a garden salad topped with grilled chicken. The chicken is grilled in the George Forman grill in 6-8 minutes and add practically no heat to the kitchen. I encourage you to explore salads as an option for meals.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zHdcmXgMVfo/UBmK2FaEYQI/AAAAAAAABF4/cXLO6mx5FJg/s1600-h/delicious%252520004%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="delicious 004" alt="delicious 004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YDkuyrH8Jy4/UBmK2os4BJI/AAAAAAAABGA/gsW6M4mQpQ4/delicious%252520004_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="713"></a></p> <p align="center">And for dessert? Why add heat to your house with the oven or even the stove top? I keep tubs of diet gelatin in the fridge. I boil the water in a glass measuring cup in the microwave and make several flavors at one time. When someone wants a dessert, just dish up the gelatin and add a squirt of whipped cream or a dollop of Cool Whip. Or…if you are avoiding sugar like I do, just top with a little half & half.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">That’s how we do it in the South. Ya’ll stay cool now ~ ya hear?</p> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-12598429714553689892012-07-26T11:49:00.001-04:002012-07-26T11:49:09.768-04:00FOCUS ON THIS… WEEK #12 ~ HIDDEN<p> </p> <p>Our cat is always hiding somewhere… We found her in our garage when she was really too tiny to have found her way here by herself. We think our big marshmallow hearted cat stole her and hid her in the garage. I spotted her little tail as she tried to run and hide from me. At approximately 4 weeks, I was faster. And so, Lil Lulu became a part of our family.</p> <p> </p> <p>Lil Lulu still hides and it is fun for me to catch her with my camera… She wasn’t very good at hiding when she was a kitten. (No birds were harmed in the filming….)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nIPV-lE_hzA/UBFm0z6KISI/AAAAAAAABC0/rLMZFLFvZsM/s1600-h/8-19-09%252520006%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="8-19-09 006" alt="8-19-09 006" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DZiP50H0AZg/UBFm1aIRVVI/AAAAAAAABC8/5V1NYpYFNBc/8-19-09%252520006_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="401"></a></p> <p align="center">She got a little better at her hiding game as she grew…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qy1W-keSies/UBFm12bt_aI/AAAAAAAABDE/pqeC2mfS96c/s1600-h/dogs%252520n%252520cats%25252010-18-10%252520001%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="dogs n cats 10-18-10 001" alt="dogs n cats 10-18-10 001" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wshb3p9HSiI/UBFm2cnm0pI/AAAAAAAABDM/dFMvyV7czTM/dogs%252520n%252520cats%25252010-18-10%252520001_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="401"></a></p> <p align="center">But not much better…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sBy1DGcmnf0/UBFm2-aJMJI/AAAAAAAABDU/mTVO1e3im5M/s1600-h/Lulu003-1-1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="Lulu003-1-1" alt="Lulu003-1-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B3IxMyXELHQ/UBFm3CplPfI/AAAAAAAABDc/jHoa7Uts8bo/Lulu003-1-1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="477"></a></p> <p align="center">Lil Lulu hides really well in the winter….</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Rc8y4BQi1Uc/UBFm4I86YUI/AAAAAAAABDk/3hGi5HC_xnU/s1600-h/Lulu%252520and%252520christmas%252520tree%252520024%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="Lulu and christmas tree 024" alt="Lulu and christmas tree 024" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OXS5RU-D7yk/UBFm4djyy9I/AAAAAAAABDs/MGfpm_qK74E/Lulu%252520and%252520christmas%252520tree%252520024_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="401"></a></p> <p align="center">Summer is too hot. She hid in a tree to try to catch a breeze…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nMB88QLDv3E/UBFm5N3g5zI/AAAAAAAABD0/_zKbHL_sT5I/s1600-h/7-3-10%252520various%252520039%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="7-3-10 various 039" alt="7-3-10 various 039" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-judDPvSZCTM/UBFm51PG0HI/AAAAAAAABD8/nDSCU1VQ9Ks/7-3-10%252520various%252520039_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="401"></a></p> <p align="center">But, her favorite hiding place is the window sill of the living room window…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2i6QhRzonDw/UBFm6WY0O_I/AAAAAAAABEE/hRa8DxtiTmo/s1600-h/April%25252022%2525202010%252520yard2%252520111%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="April 22 2010 yard2 111" alt="April 22 2010 yard2 111" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JkO5-jAkZsc/UBFm6_HXqjI/AAAAAAAABEM/fCeXOMiboXI/April%25252022%2525202010%252520yard2%252520111_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="401"></a></p> <p align="center">She thinks it is the best place to hide and nobody can see her because she is behind the curtain. Yeah…right….</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e1x3F_l1veE/UBFm7al6ANI/AAAAAAAABEU/tnhY2WOHWww/s1600-h/porch%252520and%252520Lulu%252520in%252520window%252520019%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="porch and Lulu in window 019" alt="porch and Lulu in window 019" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DrE0Jf9wdDE/UBFm77ld3-I/AAAAAAAABEc/ORp2nS8rJRs/porch%252520and%252520Lulu%252520in%252520window%252520019_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="401"></a></p> <p align="center">And sometimes, her hiding place is a total fail….</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EgRdjy2cRpk/UBFm8ZSWGWI/AAAAAAAABEk/tk-1aGdU6Tg/s1600-h/various%2525201-15-10%252520012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="various 1-15-10 012" alt="various 1-15-10 012" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5gGKWlwbtDk/UBFm9GzjizI/AAAAAAAABEs/sYXPxMNpIr4/various%2525201-15-10%252520012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="401"></a></p> <p align="center">Everyone should have a Lil Lulu around. There certainly is never a dull moment in our house…</p> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-59672659925149040242012-07-26T10:27:00.001-04:002012-07-26T10:27:14.595-04:00FOCUS ON THIS… WEEK # 11 ~ DELICIOUS<p> </p> <p>Did I ever mention that I am the Queen of Quick Meals? Well…Now you know… I am most famous for taking a time consuming recipe and turning it into E-A-S-Y… Same ingredients… Same flavor… The end product might look different or it might not...</p> <p>When I was a working gal, I sure didn’t want to spend a couple of hours in the kitchen after spending 8 hours in the office. It didn’t take long to come up with shortcuts. One example is Stuffed Peppers. Sure they look all pretty in the peppers, but what a lot of work! </p> <p>My shortcut recipe is this:</p> <p>Dice one red & one green bell pepper and one small onion. Set aside. </p> <p>Brown a pound or so of ground beef. Remove to a colander and allow excess grease to drain into a bowl with a paper towel in the bottom to make cleanup easy. </p> <p>Select a large pan – your choice – I use a huge stainless steel skillet with metal handle so I can go straight from range top to oven in the same pan… Then I dump drained ground beef, peppers and onions into the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder to your taste. Stir fry just long enough for your veggies to turn a brighter color…no more or you will lose your texture. </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kJ1uwVIN7So/UBFTuxXKfJI/AAAAAAAABCQ/ObaDYh_FWkM/s1600-h/spanish%252520rice%252520002%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="spanish rice 002" alt="spanish rice 002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A3Vrz-oRw6I/UBFTvfbmj4I/AAAAAAAABCY/yIA8vMfZHgI/spanish%252520rice%252520002_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="414"></a></p> <p>Add 2 cans of petite diced tomatoes and 2 cups of water. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaESsDJC57tffS3f6PROPYfvUstVRekoFc9C9uDpc0aaqu8E9m6ryCTmlLwcUz7Zqy1xBKE4OaThvieqFQCdtf4w2ypEXxYc69ffZ4B2vzMAZxI31wZTE5X9EyGxYjsObeKgRms0kck5q/s1600-h/spanish%252520rice%252520007%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="spanish rice 007" alt="spanish rice 007" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sQrbCi4BfsU/UBFTwYK87-I/AAAAAAAABCo/XqYsyfSdt6g/spanish%252520rice%252520007_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="401"></a></p> <p>Bring to a boil, then add 1 cup of uncooked white rice. Stir and allow to return to a boil. As soon as the liquid reaches the second boil, cover the pan with aluminum foil, then the oven proof lid to seal the pan. Pop the whole pan into the oven @ 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Done! </p> <p>All of the flavor of stuffed peppers. A fraction of the preparation work/time. Delicious!</p> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-50138011104089167202012-07-26T09:46:00.001-04:002012-07-26T09:46:09.694-04:00FOCUS ON THIS…WEEK #10 ~ MY PET ~ I WISH<p> </p> <p>Last week was a very different week in our home, which will also explain my “disconnect” from the cyber world for the same approximate length of time…</p> <p>Monday before last, I saw a little dog running all over my neighborhood. I saw different neighbors trying to catch the little guy, but he just danced away from everyone. I’m sure we all had the same concern that he would get hit by a car. I lost track of him after he lured me down to the lake, then hid on me. Arriving back home with everything hurting, I was extremely worried about the dog. But, I’m too old to chase fast little dogs around the neighborhood. </p> <p>It was near quitting time for the working population, so I said a prayer and hoped the extremely clever little dog would be sitting innocently on the doorstep when his owners arrived home. I went to my kitchen and began preparing our evening meal. But then…another neighbor knocked on my door to ask me if I lost a dog. A quick peek into her car confirmed that she caught little Houdini… We chatted a minute while I explained that he was not my dog and she explained why her two large labs were the reason why she could not take him home. Sooo…I ended up with a houseguest. He was housebroken, crate trained and walked well on a leash, so he was no problem except to the old cranks around this house…who shall remain unnamed…<br><br>Well…without going into a lot of details, I will just say that the poor little guy was 7 pounds of too much spunk for our household of old people and old pets. With lots of help from the neighbor lady, I posted signs in the neighborhood, listed him on craigslist and in our local county animal control pet forum for lost pets and perused every lost pet site I could find – no luck finding the little guy’s owner. It became sadly apparent that nobody cared what happened to him. So, after a week of no-luck, we were forced to find a Chihuahua rescue to take him. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8oRMHxmtaLuPAoO6dVeLrkooKKrkAP8Y0Kqg7A_3xft2mAQnZsLiTsyDrusS3IzohYz2OBzgrOFWdXvU27cAaBiiUxevnmtp0fzLn6mM9-VVxaBS2bzPWXy6jEIL52yxowmldmcEjafi_/s1600-h/7-16-12%252520027%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="7-16-12 027" alt="7-16-12 027" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmS-1UJMxtU1lfsa95K5iIXG65XgDRHuaKwWdWpHjvbYzKJFyW1EJtzlSRc1vhNz7V3WVs9VrG5nVacZJcOqidHO1Spp4WmNNUF8hmNQpcNdJ3T1U_j397Fq7Jv3B1i2iVcd57p1DMTJb/?imgmax=800" width="577" height="461"></a></p> <p>I called him Squirt and he will be in my heart always. Just before I handed him over to the lady from the rescue organization, I hugged Squirt and wished him a wonderful life. And then my heart broke….</p> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-8713793674978111232012-07-15T22:54:00.001-04:002012-07-15T22:54:02.823-04:00BFF 206 & 209 ~ HERE I GO AGAIN…AWOL UNTIL SEPTEMBER<p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ecamq9Mzri8/UAOCR7yOilI/AAAAAAAABBk/heNWMVMHwUs/s1600-h/BFF%252520209%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="BFF 209" alt="BFF 209" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hwbTiU2kwHc/UAOCSc3dU-I/AAAAAAAABBs/XQj0NTuLCcI/BFF%252520209_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="388" height="606"></a></p> <p>Confession time… I am a reality show junkie. Yep… CBS turned me into a voyeur… It started with Big Brother, which remains my favorite, but has now expanded into The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, Survivor and the list goes on and on.</p> <p>But, I love Big Brother the best. I have watched every season from inception. I can’t get enough. Now, for the 4th year, I am watching the live feeds. Live feeds, for a reality show addict, is like a drug. Seriously…</p> <p>As most people in America know, Big Brother season 14 has started . From now and until the end of the season, I will be living on California time… For an east coast person, this means that I am up until about 5 am and asleep while California sleeps. </p> <p>The houseguests this season are terrific. Oh my goodness...there are some really great personalities this time. This season’s twist is that four former BB stars are back as "coaches" Each one is coach to a team of 3, but one team lost a player the first night. She didn't get to spend even 1 night in the BB house. I really felt bad for her. I like all 4 of the "coaches", so that is nice. </p> <p>I love the live feeds. While so many people are waiting for the next TV show, I already know who was nominated for eviction and who has won the power of veto. I'm pretty sure I know which person will be going home, but they are still discussing pros & cons of each of their options. LOTS of game play right away. Most of the people in this group hit the ground with their feet running. It promises to be a great season. </p> <p>So...HERE I GO AGAIN...I'll be watching live feeds in all my spare time and during most of the time I should be doing something else. I will most likely be AWOL from any responsible living until September. I hope you all have a great summer and I intend to do the same ~ right here ~ watching the live feeds ~ on Cali-time…</p> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-1794523828329423062012-07-05T22:42:00.001-04:002012-07-05T22:42:37.505-04:00FOCUS ON THIS… #9 ~ A DAY AT THE BEACH…<p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qN_RpKiTMCg/T_ZQmSD0UPI/AAAAAAAABBQ/NAjJs20KXOw/s1600-h/IMG_0005%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="IMG_0005" alt="IMG_0005" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0IGftgrPz2FKxRBpgl1r1QYTaq-7FVH-p8nnCD9kWFGztEbQegJKQ8JC0H25j0xlGRq6pTyWhFKuBJ8UjkIRLCBsGC4vfPEt5EqFjO5V4LhAMgwlQcTAy5PWTPYI4FZIiq8UzdpO3Za9t/?imgmax=800" width="584" height="598"></a></p> <p>I live in Florida, so I have taken many beach photos. But, this photo remains my favorite beach photo of all time. This was my friend and her daughter. The little girl would be about 40 now and my friend would be old like me. I wish I knew where she is now. She was a great friend. I don’t think anybody would recognize them at this point in time, so I’m sharing my fav beach photo!</p> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-13406498953743454192012-07-05T22:33:00.001-04:002012-07-05T22:33:36.943-04:00FOCUS ON THIS… #8 ~ BIRDS<p> </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLtlbZX7DYQkaJ7JSQRtv7tnmFkohiVQJPX7PbcgyiWvOr5Xm2QqDUjxGvEq4BBc2iOdOMLchr0Vj1uwZi3GZYiqooIdlqjVZ3kOVXXmdgLLyAeAMDssRA5lAP6ub9UYRmVTwie3bPxA4C/s1600-h/March%25252024%252520a%252520walk%252520to%252520the%252520lake%252520050%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="March 24 a walk to the lake 050" alt="March 24 a walk to the lake 050" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6Z_TQA7x8wo/T_ZOf_37S2I/AAAAAAAABBI/eM1ENpHLaQI/March%25252024%252520a%252520walk%252520to%252520the%252520lake%252520050_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="591" height="463"></a></p> <p>I met the original angry bird down at the lake. I’d love to know what was on her mind… LOL</p> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-74222857332406794452012-06-20T11:30:00.002-04:002012-06-20T11:33:03.585-04:00FOCUS ON THIS… #7 ~ SUNSET<div align="center">Sunset in Orlando, Florida </div><div align="center">June 19, 2012</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Eo0Xuu71AfQ/T-HsqMUgSBI/AAAAAAAABAs/LjjIMXCfHqw/s1600-h/sunset%2525206-19-12%252520008%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="sunset 6-19-12 008" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OxLvWu_Q_XBp9tfz59-4Y2ON_jMdq5CZQb8wETthBnwGQMIa1q-mgjTu094M0kex0bC-rCZDbSLY8g9_1cZddg-rQPyLuE-TwmfBASJuJn-IK2gXIy1YdPWTElKxYpXLpwWgjitBIfaf/?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="sunset 6-19-12 008" width="535" /></a></div>Photo is my personal property, however, if you enjoy the scene, please feel free to make a copy for yourself.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">This blog is for the current BFF “Focus On This…” photo challenge. BFF (Blogging for Fun) also offers writing topics on Mondays and Fridays. If you would like to join BFF, please visit us at </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BFF4FUN/"><span style="color: white; font-size: medium;">Blogging 4 Fun</span></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: white;"> </span>on Facebook. We are a closed group, so please ask to join.</span>Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-46151170442373329832012-06-15T13:33:00.001-04:002012-06-15T13:33:30.005-04:00BFF 202 ~ I DREAMED THAT I…<p> </p> <p>I dreamed that I was looking in a mirror. My face began to crack and I watched in horror as my whole face was taken over by the many fissures which resembled the crackling found on antique china or old paint. I continued watching until the pieces began to fall off my face in a shower of shards. I woke up… <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-n4hbv8EnxGs/T9tx5pwNqgI/AAAAAAAABAQ/j5wjOSZghG8/s1600-h/cracked%252520face%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="cracked face" alt="cracked face" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IKWb83VBB40/T9tx6G3avwI/AAAAAAAABAY/kC-PpX3ssRg/cracked%252520face_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="535" height="548"></a> <p align="center"><font size="3">(Photo shopped by someone who has no idea what she is doing with a photo editor)</font> <p align="center"><font size="3"></font> <p>I was 15 years old. Really! *I* really had that dream. It is now almost 50 years later and I still cannot get that dream out of my head. Mostly I don’t understand how my mind could contrive such a scene. At that age, I thought maybe I was getting a glimpse of the future somehow. Was I going to die young? Would my future face be horribly scarred in some manner? The questions abounded as I tried to understand. <p>Later, after a couple of psychology courses in college, I began to examine my psyche and what might possibly lie under that mask of shards. Did I wake up because I didn’t want to see what was under the façade? Was I putting forward a fake persona? Those of you who know me can laugh right here and for the benefit of anyone who does not know me, just know this…I am one of those “transparent” people who hide NOTHING. <p>After all these years of pondering that dream, I have finally come to understand that it was, after all, only a dream. Of course, I did not die young. My face is not scarred, nor is it a mass of wrinkles like many my age. I have no fake persona hiding the real me. I am exactly what you see and nothing fake about me. Nothing horrible happened to my face. It is still there – pink and mostly smooth considering my age. <p>So… What on earth did that dream mean? After taking the memory out for examination repeatedly over my life time, I have finally come to a conclusion and it is this: The dream meant NOTHING. It was neither prophetic nor indicative of another psyche hidden within. It is time to put that puppy to bed once and for all, because it was, after all, just a strange and silly dream that has stolen too many of my waking hours throughout my lifetime… <p>Now, if only I can understand why I dreamed that dream in college... It was the one where I was standing on the only small patch of land, muddy water lapping at my shoes and as far as the eye could see….alone with nothing but muddy water... <p> <p><font size="3">This blog was written for BFF 202 ~ “I DREAMED THAT I...” BFF (Blogging for Fun) offers writing topics on Mondays and Fridays plus a photo challenge on Wednesdays. If you would like to join BFF, please visit us at </font><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BFF4FUN/"><font color="#ffffff" size="3">Blogging 4 Fun</font></a><font size="3"> on Facebook. We are a closed group, so please ask to join.</font> <p> <p align="center"><font size="2"></font> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-37379580068450516842012-06-13T12:19:00.001-04:002012-06-13T12:19:49.650-04:00FOCUS ON THIS… #5 ~ BEVERAGE<p> </p> <p>I love retirement! It is wonderful to linger long with my Bible and a mug of cappuccino.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mCkWx72mXqg/T9i9mpb5LqI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/ACJrMvKpYZo/s1600-h/BEVERAGE%252520CHALLENGE%252520001%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="BEVERAGE CHALLENGE 001" alt="BEVERAGE CHALLENGE 001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g6WUzbUfKq4/T9i9nMdOqoI/AAAAAAAAA_g/baxaNrQjKT0/BEVERAGE%252520CHALLENGE%252520001_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="530" height="576"></a></p> <p align="left">I acquired this mug upon retirement. I love my mug!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yn13Mxijm1Q/T9i9nqsMecI/AAAAAAAAA_o/xZtPj5nB98o/s1600-h/BEVERAGE%252520CHALLENGE%252520007%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="BEVERAGE CHALLENGE 007" alt="BEVERAGE CHALLENGE 007" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Q-rCS5nNMqA/T9i9oCbLomI/AAAAAAAAA_w/-w394_qS1J8/BEVERAGE%252520CHALLENGE%252520007_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="530" height="398"></a></p> <p align="left">I especially love the back side of my retirement mug.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VjqyjyCUn74/T9i9o-PglxI/AAAAAAAAA_4/eRLSxw6RHBU/s1600-h/BEVERAGE%252520CHALLENGE%252520012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="BEVERAGE CHALLENGE 012" alt="BEVERAGE CHALLENGE 012" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-TH7Vf2keijQ/T9i9pMgwatI/AAAAAAAABAA/g7NnAXV3PLU/BEVERAGE%252520CHALLENGE%252520012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="530" height="398"></a></p> <p align="left">Nuff said…</p> <p align="left"> </p> <p align="left"><font size="4">This blog is for the current BFF “Focus On This…” photo challenge. BFF (Blogging for Fun) also offers writing topics on Mondays and Fridays. If you would like to join BFF, please visit us at </font><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BFF4FUN/" target="_blank"><font color="#ffffff" size="4">Blogging 4 Fun</font></a><font size="4"> on Facebook. We are a closed group, so please ask to join.</font></p> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-25874735200368372912012-06-08T10:10:00.001-04:002012-06-08T10:30:41.404-04:00FULL CIRCLE<div align="center">
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nSL7l8A3aRc/T9IH0qvWYhI/AAAAAAAAA-0/YtSFlk0gbXg/s1600-h/BFF%252520198%252520-%252520FULL%252520CIRCLE%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="BFF 198 - FULL CIRCLE" height="577" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sW_o9vA_0R8/T9IH1HtDgbI/AAAAAAAAA-4/HDfjA-O19tQ/BFF%252520198%252520-%252520FULL%252520CIRCLE_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="BFF 198 - FULL CIRCLE" width="494" /></a> </div>
Here I sit<br />
As I ponder<br />
Which stage of life<br />
I was fonder<br />
<br />
If i could have stayed <br />
In just one state<br />
Just which one would<br />
Have been just great?<br />
<br />
Every need taken care of <br />
When I was a tot<br />
Still messing my pants<br />
Nope ~ I think not!<br />
<br />
Childhood was fun<br />
But not quite heaven<br />
Still had to be in bed<br />
No later than seven<br />
<br />
Went to school<br />
And it was fun<br />
But all that studying<br />
Made me glad to move on<br />
<br />
Teen years were wonderful<br />
But could not stay<br />
Had dreams to fulfill<br />
Let come what may<br />
<br />
As a young adult<br />
Life was great<br />
Except I had to work<br />
If I wanted to eat<br />
<br />
Marriage came and went<br />
And came and went <br />
And came and went<br />
Then came and stayed...<br />
<br />
Pursued my career<br />
I worked so hard<br />
Forty three years<br />
And now I am retired<br />
<br />
I sleep late<br />
My stress is gone<br />
I play all day<br />
Talk on the phone<br />
<br />
I spend hours with God<br />
It pleases us<br />
So much to talk about<br />
Now that I'm not in a rush<br />
<br />
So if I could stay<br />
In just one year<br />
I would choose<br />
To stay right here<br />
<br />
But, alas<br />
I cannot stay<br />
Time marches on<br />
Day by day<br />
<br />
The time will come<br />
When life changes again<br />
Life is a circle<br />
To where we began<br />
<br />
I'll lose my teeth<br />
I'll lose my hair<br />
If I lose my memory<br />
I will not care<br />
<br />
I made up my mind<br />
I will be happy<br />
While depending on others<br />
And messing my nappy<br />
<br />
<br />
Darlene Cirinna<br />
July 20, 2009Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-62812847073584923492012-05-23T22:38:00.001-04:002012-05-23T22:38:59.932-04:00FOCUS ON THIS… #3 ~ FLOWERS<p> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 573px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:7b270f40-3ac2-49af-b5d8-4f0015684e8e" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;width:573px;border-collapse:collapse;'><tbody><tr><td style='margin:0px;padding:0px;outline:none;border-style:none;width:auto'><a style="outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;" target="_blank" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=c76b90fba729f717&page=play&resid=C76B90FBA729F717!114&type=5&authkey=!AEmO46_-cpCn7Ak&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" alt="View album" title="View album" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b-V5dAqjb6g/T72fQSKEkWI/AAAAAAAAA-U/uG9XxiGagg8/album%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style='width:573px;text-align:center;overflow:visible;padding:0px;margin:0px;'> <div style='width:573px;overflow:visible;'><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=c76b90fba729f717&page=browse&resid=C76B90FBA729F717!114&type=5&authkey=!AEmO46_-cpCn7Ak&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:1.26em;padding:0px;width:573px;font-size:26pt;font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" defaultText="Enter album name here">FOCUS ON THIS… #3 ~ FLOWERS</span></a></div> <div style="text-align:center;padding:9px 0px 0px 0px;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;"> <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style="text-align:center;width:auto;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding:0px;outline:none;border-style:none;border-collapse:collapse;"> <tr> <td style="vertical-align:top;outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:6px 12px 6px 0px;"><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=c76b90fba729f717&page=play&resid=C76B90FBA729F717!114&type=5&authkey=!AEmO46_-cpCn7Ak&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;">VIEW SLIDE SHOW</a></td> <td style="vertical-align:top;outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:6px 0px 6px 0px;"><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=c76b90fba729f717&page=downloadphotos&resid=C76B90FBA729F717!114&type=5&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!AEmO46_-cpCn7Ak" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;">DOWNLOAD ALL</a></td> </tr> </table> </div> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <p>When I bought my current digital camera, I began to take photos like I have always wanted to take. </p> <p>With magnified power, I discovered the real beauty in wildflowers. I am amazed at the detail. More…It has made me think about our God who created all these beautifully detailed flowers. Many of the flowers are so small they are hardly noticeable. The detail in the tiny blossoms escape the normal vision, but when magnified I am awestruck at the attention given to each and every living thing on earth. If the Lord has given such attention to a tiny flower, how much more has He given us?<br><br>Every flower featured here is a wildflower or a weed. Nothing is insignificant in the Lord’s eyes. His beauty is everywhere. He cares about everything. And these flowers are the proof. </p> <h3>Darlene Cirinna</h3> <h3>May 23, 2012</h3> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-57763061318691437152012-05-16T15:20:00.001-04:002012-05-16T15:20:56.244-04:00FOCUS ON THIS… #2 ~ SHOES <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:3399a6ef-bf66-47a7-8cca-44d9fcb9f6e6" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;width:592px;border-collapse:collapse;'><tbody><tr><td style='margin:0px;padding:0px;outline:none;border-style:none;width:auto'><a style="outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:0px;" target="_blank" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=c76b90fba729f717&page=play&resid=C76B90FBA729F717!105&type=5&authkey=!ADfJ00mA-lFC_gw&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos"><img style="outline:none;border-style:none;padding:0px;margin:0px;border:0px;background:none;background-image:none;vertical-align:bottom;" alt="View album" title="View album" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MwKWnWC6qRo/T7P-FlmKScI/AAAAAAAAA94/rI-wIH5MPLs/SHOE%252520WHAT%252520IS%252520THAT%252520THIS%252520IS%252520WHAT%252520WE%252520WEAR%252520IN%252520FLORIDA%252521%252521%252521%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style='width:592px;text-align:center;overflow:visible;padding:0px;margin:0px;'> <div style='width:592px;overflow:visible;'><a style="text-decoration:none;" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=c76b90fba729f717&page=browse&resid=C76B90FBA729F717!105&type=5&authkey=!ADfJ00mA-lFC_gw&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos" target="_blank"><span style="line-height:1.26em;padding:0px;width:592px;font-size:26pt;font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;" defaultText="Enter album name here">SHOE? WHAT IS THAT? THIS IS WHAT WE WEAR IN FLORIDA!!!</span></a></div> <div style="text-align:center;padding:9px 0px 0px 0px;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;"> <table border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style="text-align:center;width:auto;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding:0px;outline:none;border-style:none;border-collapse:collapse;"> <tr> <td style="vertical-align:top;outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:6px 12px 6px 0px;"><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=c76b90fba729f717&page=play&resid=C76B90FBA729F717!105&type=5&authkey=!ADfJ00mA-lFC_gw&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;">VIEW SLIDE SHOW</a></td> <td style="vertical-align:top;outline:none;border-style:none;margin:0px;padding:6px 0px 6px 0px;"><a href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=c76b90fba729f717&page=downloadphotos&resid=C76B90FBA729F717!105&type=5&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=!ADfJ00mA-lFC_gw" border="0" target="_blank" style="font-family:'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif;font-size:8pt;outline:none;border-style:none;text-decoration: none;padding:0px;margin:0px;">DOWNLOAD ALL</a></td> </tr> </table> </div> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-85933572401799251932012-05-15T21:46:00.001-04:002012-05-15T21:46:52.787-04:00BFF 192 ~ Close Call…<p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oGNBiLbfiaA/T7MHCjDqZOI/AAAAAAAAA9g/jdLqibhYPic/s1600-h/BFF%252520192%252520%25257E%252520CLOSE%252520CALL%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="BFF 192 ~ CLOSE CALL" alt="BFF 192 ~ CLOSE CALL" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AxyhoW9GToA/T7MHC4fQRhI/AAAAAAAAA9o/1uoWbW6CGmk/BFF%252520192%252520%25257E%252520CLOSE%252520CALL_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="578"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p>When I posted this topic to BFF, I didn’t have a clue about what I could write. I tossed ideas around in my mind for several days while I considered whether I would write a real experience or fiction. If real – which one? And so it went around and around in my mind…until yesterday… <p>Not much exciting goes on in my neighborhood. It’s a quiet, tree lined street and most of us are older folk. One hot, lazy day follows another here. Just a typical day around here... So, when I took my little darlings for a walk yesterday, I wasn’t expecting any kind of excitement… <p>My tiny terrors did their usual sniffing and shuffling. Our walks can hardly be called walks. We’re all old you know. Once I get them both going in the same direction, it is pretty much stop and sniff every few feet. I don’t get much exercise, but it is the highlight of their day. I noticed a neighbor was up in a cherry picker trimming his trees. In a neighborhood full of old oak trees, it is not unusual for someone to be having their trees trimmed. All in all, it was a normal day around here. <p>We were just past my house when suddenly; there were white fire flashes, popping, crackling and the loudest hum coming from the bouncing electrical lines. I knew in an instant that the tree trimmer had connected with the power lines. My heart was beating out of my chest as I ran down the street yelling “Are you all right? ARE YOU ALL RIGHT??? I was really scared for that guy in the cherry picker. People up and down the street came running out of their homes. Seeing me running, some were shouting “What happened??” I couldn’t stop. I had to know if that guy was all right. I could see flames licking at the leaves of the tree. I feared the very worst. I kept running… Just before I got to his house, I saw the cherry picker beginning to lower back to the ground. The man next door was almost crowing…”He’s all right! HE’S ALL RIGHT!!!” as he ran around in his socks and almost dancing in the street. His little dog took the opportunity to run across the street to meet my dogs. On top of all the confusion and the sheer terror of the whole event, my tiny terrors got scrappy with the little bull dog… <p>But, all is well that ends well. The most important thing is that the man in the cherry picker was okay. <p>Whew! That sure was a close call…. <p> <h3><font size="5">Darlene Cirinna</font></h3> <h3><font size="5">May 15, 2012</font></h3> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-19331658299074155372012-05-09T14:29:00.001-04:002012-05-09T14:29:28.359-04:00FOCUS ON THIS… #1 ~ DOOR KNOBS, LATCHES & SUCH…<p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WmS--MxzPUs/T6q3dSYmsbI/AAAAAAAAA74/imbqUrEFvnw/s1600-h/door%252520knobs%252520etc%252520001%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="door knobs etc 001" alt="door knobs etc 001" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOc1FDH8xF1qzioKCXxAVbb4pYz3BSvVfXQbtAeg51EQHJlzCAdtnJkntWC0v1zbBWDy4_NdEPFI5z7CaFDCmXW2SbhCNfEr6pru3dMt2O_XCLgF8WCjNCpZoOIHWFPzKbMx7RS-Z44wR/?imgmax=800" width="565" height="433"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aWLGHINKP68/T6q3eq-l7pI/AAAAAAAAA8I/8_Wrx_NUWPY/s1600-h/door%252520knobs%252520etc%252520006%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="door knobs etc 006" alt="door knobs etc 006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tozJXG-AXqg/T6q3fmf1CMI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/Y_WtgMjUm0I/door%252520knobs%252520etc%252520006_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="565" height="753"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BVeAqHBA984/T6q3gYDEHUI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/i-68KdN-YLg/s1600-h/door%252520knobs%252520etc%252520026%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="door knobs etc 026" alt="door knobs etc 026" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p_TjPHl5Iw8/T6q3grA9aHI/AAAAAAAAA8g/V14s4HO-g5E/door%252520knobs%252520etc%252520026_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="565" height="424"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DQSp00CQAAE/T6q3hWpPDmI/AAAAAAAAA8o/oJpuMrRfApo/s1600-h/door%252520knobs%252520etc%252520021%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="door knobs etc 021" alt="door knobs etc 021" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KNrMMGAcdMw/T6q3h6J5szI/AAAAAAAAA8w/Lp0j4Owc174/door%252520knobs%252520etc%252520021_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="565" height="424"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Un-retouched photos taken at an old house,</p> <p align="center">complete with rust and grime </p> <p align="center">~</p> <p align="center">and lots of character</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Darlene Cirinna</p> <p align="center">May 9, 2012</p> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-26676957670205097962012-05-06T15:42:00.001-04:002012-05-06T15:42:38.830-04:00BFF 190 ~ I HOPE….<p> </p> <p>I thought I would be lame, as usual, and skip yet another blog topic. HEY! I have a busy retirement here… LOL But, <a href="http://jo-mywanderingmind.blogspot.com/2012/05/hope.html" target="_blank"><font color="#0000ff">my friend Jo</font></a> got me to thinking when she made a list of her hopes and dreams. I like lists! When I make lists, I never know what I will drag out of the depths of my mind and heart. So…it is with anticipation on my own part that I begin my list because I really don’t know at this point what will be on my “hope” list… </p> <p align="center"><b> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sfWkpryBbfk/T6bULP6hmyI/AAAAAAAAA7k/La5nPsLb-4E/s1600-h/BFF%252520190%252520PINK%252520HOPE%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="BFF 190 PINK HOPE" alt="BFF 190 PINK HOPE" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eUIETW0gwGQ/T6bULVEIX3I/AAAAAAAAA7s/mXn-X9s2090/BFF%252520190%252520PINK%252520HOPE_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="573" height="355"></a></b> <p>~ my husband and I have many more years of life together. <p>~ our good health will continue. <p>~ I never slip into depression again. <p>~ my sisters & my daughters have so much happiness and love that their cups run over. <p>~ the economy improves so that every person who wants a job will have a job. <p>~ I can get through this election year without losing any more friends. <p>~ after the elections, our elected officials actually roll up their sleeves and get to work for the good of our nation and without political prejudice. (I DO realize that is a fantasy… But, this IS MY wish list. LOL) <p>~ I will find the dedication it would take to sort my fiction short stories and select a few for an e-book. I would be happy to write just one book and really wouldn’t care if people bought it or Amazon offered it for free. I just want to feel the “accomplished” feeling in that arena. <p>~ our shutterbug blog friends will enjoy the new BFF weekly challenge. Oops! Did I just leak something? LOL <p>~ I find my way out of my blog rut… <p>~ we have another quiet hurricane season. <p>~ that mercy and grace will overrule my cynical side <p>~ the Lord meets all the needs of those He loves <p>~ peace and harmony rule my world <p>~ I can find it within me to part with most of this stuff I have collected for a lifetime. My needs are small and I don’t need half of what I own. <p>~ my donated things bless others who have needs <p>~I don’t die before I simplify my possessions. I don’t want anyone to have to do this because I didn’t do it while I am alive. It is too hard to sort and dispose of a loved one’s belongings. It is now 3 ½ years since the death of my Mom and I’m still trying to get through her stuff. I don’t want my family having to deal with the same conflict of heart/sentiment vs. reason. <p>~ that I can always find HOPE… <p>Nuff said…I think… <p> <h3><font size="5">Darlene Cirinna</font></h3> <h3><font size="5">May 6, 2012</font></h3> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-15464606571369782782012-04-23T16:13:00.001-04:002012-04-23T16:13:10.231-04:00My Pure Heaven ~ BFF 186<p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tdEhYnsJiHw/T5W30nkqfqI/AAAAAAAAA6c/HcBniB3P-Z0/s1600-h/BFF%252520186%252520-%252520MY%252520HEAVEN%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="BFF 186 - MY HEAVEN" alt="BFF 186 - MY HEAVEN" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBspBAIo_gjj-PY1C0FWyJxbKeM5IXs5v1vBvt45SXij8LdTf3Ba9trnbOwXBjuGvQycox8EVj9_5b_IRJV1_VRr72BpQKJeT5mDG5A5HW6_1CppqUCqveRat6Musc_MXmvh7STTR5LQ9z/?imgmax=800" width="569" height="590"></a></p> <p>This past week, my friend, <a href="http://sunshinesuzz.blogspot.com/2012/04/i-have-envisioned-my-heaven-to-be-that.html"><font color="#0000ff">Suzz</font><font color="#4bacc6"></a></font> posted a question on her Facebook page that gave me lots to think about in subsequent days. That question was this: "When you die and your soul ascends to Heaven, you can choose what your Heaven will be like. What would you choose?" <p>Well, my short answer was this: <p>“I would choose a log cabin on a mountain, surrounded by natural beauty and no sound that is not a nature sound. I don't want to hear horns honking, motors running, tires squealing...nothing but birds, wind rustling the leaves in the trees and the sounds of a bubbling stream. I would want to be surrounded by every pet I ever had and my Dad. That's all I would want...” <p>Since that day, I just can’t seem to get the topic off my mind. I’ve thought of many scenarios, people who are gone from my life, the pets I have loved and lost and more… Just exactly how would I want to spend eternity??? Well, the short answer is that I’m not sure… So, the first thing I would choose is the ability to change my heaven around – kind of like moving furniture around a room. You know…a different look from time to time…since it is apparent that eternity is a long time, I don’t want to be stuck with the first thing I dream of. I’m a woman. It’s my prerogative to change my mind. <p>So, at the point of my flesh death and assuming that I still want the log cabin on the mountain as my first celestial home, I would want it to reflect all the things I have loved. There will be light – lots of light from big, huge windows. There will be no curtains or blinds to hinder the light. My furniture will be simple and cozy, resembling billowing clouds with both white quilted and gauzy looking material. I have no need for knick knacks or most other worldly items for they are of the world and I will no longer be a citizen of the world. Except that I would like to have a photo album to look upon the faces I love. I would send that love into the world for the loved ones I have left behind. Those who have gone on before are in their own place in heaven, but I would hope to have family and fellowship gatherings from time to time. And, I need music and books, journal and pen, and, last but hardly least, my Bible… That is all I need from this world. <p>My cabin would have a loft where a big fluffy bed awaits my heavenly rest – devoid of worry, fear or remnants of discord. My bed would be one of those beds that seem to swallow one whole or get lost, at least, in the white, billowy, cloud like bedding. The roof over my bed will be one big skylight so that I can lie in bed and watch the stars until I drift off into a deep, restful sleep. <p>That is all I need in my cabin…one great room with one sofa, one overstuffed arm chair, one oak library table and one oak chair, the books, music and the player. I will not need a kitchen because I will receive my sustenance from those things that feed my spirit…music, literature, nature… My body will be new and celestial with no need for food or drink. I only hope I will look like my young self because I know that God created me and I want to be just so…but only the younger version. Allow me that one fantasy… *wink wink* <p>My cabin will be my solitude… My quiet place… Void of color or distractions and designed to nourish my spirit. Then, just a few steps outside the door of my small cabin, my heavenly world will be a burst of color and sounds, according to the seasons. The trees and flowers will be my reminders of the change of seasons. A bubbling creek runs down from the higher points of the mountain and the water will be cool and so clean that I can see clearly to the pebbles on the bottom and the small fish that swim about in the areas where the meandering creek finds to pool. My pets from a lifetime of love will be there, healthy and happy, frolicking around in play or laying lazily in a patch of sunlight, safe forever from all illness, pain or harm. The sounds of nature will be all around – bubbling creek, rustling leaves in the trees, bird song and other joyful sounds from creatures both great and small who live together in harmony and love. I would hope my heaven would have rain and snow. I know for a certainty that my Lord can provide without essentials as we know them, such as the essential rain for nature. But, rain is one of those things that nourish my spirit, so I would wish for rain often. And snow…Oh how I have missed the special silence and purity of the world after a heavy snow. I miss the crunch of the snow as I break that thin layer of ice with each step. There has been a void in my spirit where the peace of snow used to reside. I want that peace in my heaven. <p>Of all the people who have gone on before me, I loved no one more than I love my Dad. In my heaven, I would hope for my Dad to be close by, in his own choice of heavens of course, but a part of my eternity. There are others who live now who I would want to also have close by in heaven. <p>I need solitude and harmony in my life like I need the air I breathe. My hell would be a place of noise, distractions and dissention. I need nature and the animal kingdom more than I need people. My hell would be full of people. I hate city sounds…horns honking, tires squealing, sirens, trucks, motorcycles and any other motors staining under a heavy foot. My hell would be a city full of people, noise and close neighbors. <p>I realize that none of us among the living REALLY knows what happens after death. We know what we have been taught. Various religions have different beliefs and I am no where qualified to say who MIGHT BE right and who MIGHT BE wrong. Maybe nobody is right and everybody is wrong. We just have to wait for that last breath to find out what eternity holds for each of us. However, I do firmly believe that our eternity will be decided by how we lived our lives plus a measure of mercy and grace lovingly bestowed upon us by my Lord, as I understand Him. <p> <h3>Darlene Cirinna</h3> <h3>April 23, 2012</h3> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-15525602434355861412012-04-10T13:24:00.001-04:002012-04-10T13:24:18.288-04:00BFF 183 ~ CHOCOLATE & A CAMERA<table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td width="30"> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrHOfNWlJurjvUeJbLXlRN0-wAjPF5X1LCuwVaDGbsX1sWVTe7QqPrIIRwfvIv250cUQZfUfSQkCinBIjRm1B6Wm9nDrDftEq6gHVqZyJ4qhjCfkppyi_UARKWirtGYs4xVYlFRqmfWlh/s1600-h/clip_image002%25255B3%25255D.gif"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="clip_image002" border="0" alt="clip_image002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CxM5FYYtvmQ/T4RstX-CTII/AAAAAAAAA5g/H62iLqdTopI/clip_image002_thumb.gif?imgmax=800" width="30" height="2"></a></p></td> <td> <p> <p><b>Fun with CHOCOLATE, a CAMERA and </b></p> <p><b>a PHOTO EDITOR</b></p><strong></strong><b> <p><br></b><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczI5Ni5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL21tMTY4L2RtY29ybC9jaG9jb2xhdGUvP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9Q2hvY29sYXRla2lzc2VzMDQxLTEuanBn"><b><img style="display: inline" title="clip_image003" alt="clip_image003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qZYskPZ31v0/T4Rst1dFVQI/AAAAAAAAA5o/zbJl19Esyjo/clip_image003%25255B20%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="444"></b></a></p><b> <p><br></b><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczI5Ni5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL21tMTY4L2RtY29ybC9jaG9jb2xhdGUvP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9Q2hvY29sYXRla2lzc2VzMDIxLTEuanBn"><b><img style="display: inline" title="clip_image004" alt="clip_image004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dd8bmc_oSfg/T4RsuoR6wmI/AAAAAAAAA5w/8FRmjv2RQQY/clip_image004%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="445"></b></a></p> <p><b><br></b><b>And, just for fun....</b><b><br></b><a href="http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vczI5Ni5waG90b2J1Y2tldC5jb20vYWxidW1zL21tMTY4L2RtY29ybC9EZWNvcmF0ZWQlMjBpbWFnZXMvP2FjdGlvbj12aWV3JmN1cnJlbnQ9bWVsdGVkX2Nob2NvbGF0ZV9QTkcucG5n"><b><img style="display: inline" title="clip_image006" alt="clip_image006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c5rso3ESDWk/T4RsvGUF2aI/AAAAAAAAA54/ZQx1HkHhF0k/clip_image006%25255B19%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="550" height="329"></b></a><b><br></b><b>Darlene Cirinna</b><b><br></b><b>April 10, 2012</b><b><br></b><b> </b></p></td></tr></tbody></table> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-34723433894956318152012-04-03T12:21:00.001-04:002012-04-03T12:21:18.389-04:00BFF 180 ~ HOW EMMA LOST HER MIND<p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UlJMi_3n6k0/T3sjemJLyuI/AAAAAAAAA5E/iFbhFio5Uq4/s1600-h/BFF%252520180%252520%25257E%252520LOST%252520MY%252520MIND%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="BFF 180 ~ LOST MY MIND" alt="BFF 180 ~ LOST MY MIND" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CgFdR2S_NEc/T3sjfGoqh8I/AAAAAAAAA5M/t8OWqKX9wLA/BFF%252520180%252520%25257E%252520LOST%252520MY%252520MIND_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="552"></a></p> <p>‘Tis a sad story really…how Emma lost her mind. It started out interestingly enough, but then… Well… Let me just tell the story… <p>Emma makes a wonderful homemade vegetable soup. The soup usually follows a Sunday roast beef dinner. She dices the remaining potatoes and beef to soup size bites, then adds a can of diced tomatoes, frozen mixed vegetables, some water and extra flavor via Knorr’s. Shortly before serving, Emma stirs the alphabet pasta into the soup, which cooks quickly. Walla! Emma’s wonderful veggie soup is ready to eat. <p>After supper, Emma brings her soup to a steady simmer for the canning. She always makes enough soup so that she can put up 3 quarts for her hubby to eat whenever the mood strikes him. She quickly ladles the hot soup into mason jars. Once lids are secure, she flips them over for the sealing process. Though, technically not “canned”, the process is sufficient enough to keep in the fridge for a month or so, if it should happen to last that long…which it doesn’t. Her hubby, George, loves Emma’s soups! He almost always has a choice between veggie, chicken noodle and/or chicken & rice soup – all lovingly cooked and put up on the top shelf of the fridge in sparkling mason jars – all for him. George loves soup almost as much as he loves Emma. <p>It all started innocently enough… Emma was considering a large purchase, which is something she rarely does. You see, Emma is just about as thrifty as they come. Having been raised by a Mom who, according to her Dad, could pinch a nickel until the Indian screamed, Emma learned all the tricks to save money, and then learned more tricks of her own. <p>Emma’s lifelong plan for a comfortable retirement was at fruition, so large purchases were considered well before a purchase. Emma was trying to decide whether she really needed a new standing mixer since she does quite fine with the hand mixer…but it would be easier to make bread dough, she rationalized, plus, she really, really wanted that mixer. It was with this on her mind when she opened her fridge for a cold drink of water that the soup episode began. Emma glanced at the soup she had just put up the day before. She immediately noticed the letters ‘Y E S’ were clearly visible on the inside of the soup jar. Emma took that as a sign she should buy the mixer. And, so she did. <p>Only a few days later, Emma was getting some eggs from the fridge when she noticed that the soup now said ‘N O’. Emma had been fuming all morning about a family situation in which she dearly wanted to wring someone’s neck… figuratively speaking, of course. Emma giggled a little and let the anger go right then and there. <p>As time went on, Emma noticed that the soup was “telling her things”. She put a big red circle with a slash through it on the lid of that one jar so that George would know he was not to eat it. She wouldn’t give him a reason beyond “Just don’t eat it”. George humored her, so there the jar stayed for a year or more. But, he noticed that whenever Emma had something on her mind, she stood staring into the fridge. He suspected maybe she had developed some disease like Alzheimer’s or something… He just watched her for further symptoms, but she only seemed strange when staring into the fridge. Otherwise, she was quite herself. <p>George called it an accident, but, really, I wonder… One day, he was looking for a jar of jam when he accidentally knocked Emma’s soup off the shelf. The contents had been looking very disgusting for a couple of months, but Emma clung to that jar of soup like her whole life depended upon it. Quick as a wink, the jar hit the floor, exploding on impact into a mess worthy of a Nickelodeon production. Emma rushed to the kitchen to see what happened. I’m told that Emma’s reaction was extreme, including wailing while trying to scoop her smelly, rotten soup into another jar. George called 911. The paramedics whisked Emma off to the hospital for a nice little stay on the 14<sup>th</sup> floor…. <p>With counseling and medication, Emma was deemed to be well enough to go home after 2 months. George had no clue that Emma was anything but well again. Things went on as was usual before the soup incident. Emma once again did those things that she did her whole life – entirely rational things. <p>But, one Monday morning, Emma decided to recycle her Sunday roast beef dinner into her homemade veggie soup. It was right at the end that she snapped. As she was stirring the alphabet pasta into the soup, the soup began to “talk” to her. First, the soup said “I missed you Emma” and “I love you Emma”. Then it turned ugly. The soup told Emma that it hated George and that it was all George’s fault that they had been separated. Emma was so engrossed in her messages from the soup that she didn’t notice George standing quietly behind her. He had been reflecting on Emma’s concentration on the soup, which was not unlike how she used to stare into the fridge. He noted that it was trance like. George said “Are you okay, Emma?” Emma quickly stirred her soup before turning to George. “I am good, George. Soup will be ready shortly. Just relax in the living room and I will call you when supper is ready.” Emma smiled at George until he was safely out of the room, and then turned her full attention onto the soup. The soup said “He will put you away again” ~ stir ~ “He must go” ~ stir ~ “Do it now”. Emma nodded quickly, and then looked under the sink for the can of Draino… <p>Well, you know the rest…. Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-44209292670746588172012-03-27T02:25:00.001-04:002012-03-27T02:25:04.949-04:00MY EYES ADORED YOU ~ BFF 179<p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yuH6dz_VPXM/T3FdM3z9jNI/AAAAAAAAA4U/CYm6E3Q_QjQ/s1600-h/BFF%252520179%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="BFF 179" alt="BFF 179" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G6TF4cPjhiI/T3FdOL62kII/AAAAAAAAA4c/9s94-PQlkzY/BFF%252520179_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="573" height="638"></a> <p> <p>The first time I saw you, I was intrigued. I watched you closely as my intrigue grew steady and strong. Soon, it came to a point where I was seeking you out wherever I could find you. I googled your name, found photos and details about you. I spent long hours learning everything I could about you. My longing grew and grew until I came to understand that I just couldn’t live without you. <p>At first I never mentioned you to my husband. In secret, I looked at photo after photo of you on the internet. I was sure that my husband would stand in our way. Gradually I came to understand that I could no longer live without you. My love for you grew exponentially with every new thing that I learned about you so that I became no better than a stalker! Finally, I brought your name up to my husband. He did not seem to mind that you had caught my eye, but he too thought the price would be too high. I tried to not think about you, but like an addict in need of a fix, I sought you out on the internet daily. I allowed my eyes to take in every detail of your beautiful body. I love your accessories. You are simply the whole package for me. <p>I had to have you, but the cost was so high that I wouldn’t allow my heart to linger long. But, today I learned something about you that I could not resist. I no longer wanted to resist. I just have to have you. I reached deep within to find the courage for the conversation that I knew I must have with my husband. <p>Tonight, I approached my husband and told him everything. I told him that I can no longer live without you in my life. His understanding and compassion were beyond my wildest dreams. He loves me so much that he is allowing me to pursue a relationship with you. I can have you and I can have you NOW! I rushed back to my computer to make the arrangements. <p>I can hardly wait!! I am giddy with happiness with the knowledge that I will actually be able to touch you in a few short days. I want to stroke you and examine every inch of you. I want to push all your buttons and turn you on. Ohhh…. I can hardly wait! Very soon, you will be mine. ALL MINE!!! <p>While I wait for your arrival, I am dreaming of how sweet you will make my life and my eyes will continue to adore you… <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rqm_LOcHXww/T3FdO4RNycI/AAAAAAAAA4k/fjT2nxSLIzg/s1600-h/clip_image002%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="clip_image002" alt="clip_image002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iL6A2PXODdk/T3FdPz51koI/AAAAAAAAA4s/vsx7z9BGuOs/clip_image002_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="577" height="577"></a> <p>I’ll see you soon… Kiss, kiss… Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6393027414870274744.post-81775581260068770212012-03-24T13:52:00.001-04:002012-03-24T13:52:53.539-04:00IT IS WHAT IT IS… BFF 178<p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Kx7to0bbDoM/T24J8eM3qsI/AAAAAAAAA38/xWQNfMxsnLA/s1600-h/BFF%252520178%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: inline" title="BFF 178" alt="BFF 178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyA4kKbJMQ7FV8jFH9rWdf9ovPR-fZDLZkQgq-Tpf2A06ixJHg7003KZAIxAOLdgh8O3Op3Sc3xUKVln1MFkbbQ-_MQH1xTZxApzmvNV0TvKIFLA0c7h22jjoqt2DbC4yDaC41lJGVOcZ/?imgmax=800" width="499" height="642"></a> <p>Sorry, but this will not be one of my happier posts. I am troubled over the economy (and politics, but I won’t go there), so I need to vent just a little. </p> <p>There were no raises the last 2 years I worked. I was told recently that there have been none since then either. I don’t know for sure that is true, but was told by a former coworker, so I must believe it is true. I retired over 3 years ago! At current gas prices, I would be spending $80 per week because my job was across town and as you can imagine, Orlando is a BIG city! I was spending $55-60 a week for gas and tolls when I retired. Now it would be $80 for gas alone. I assume the tolls are still $10 per week. I don't remember hearing any toll hikes on that expressway, but who knows. It is not an area of town I have any desire to visit now that I don't have to go there for my job.<br></p> <p>When NAFTA was passed, I knew jobs would leave our country and that it would throw us into an economic crisis. I didn't understand why other people could not see what was coming. Part of the reason why I went ahead and retired early is because I was at a point where I was saving my whole pay check and I felt guilty for holding a position I really didn’t need when so many others were in need. By retiring early, I believed I was giving my slot to someone in need of a good job with benefits. I heard later that they simply took my duties and spread them among the remaining, already overworked, staff. Sheesh... I hope eventually someone was hired into that slot because in FL gov't, if a position is left open for any length of time, the watchdogs in the state capitol can take the position and put it to use elsewhere. Novice management personal often learned that little lesson the hard way!</p> <p><br>I was delighted to hear that some employers are returning to US. I doubt it will repair the damage already done, but it’s a start. I wish we could tax the hell out of imports from American companies overseas... I'm sure the greedy money bag sorts would disagree with me. I think it is so very important to our economy to keep American workers in jobs. Why did that escape the attention when NAFTA was being drafted? I know I'm not smarter than those who know how to make big money. So, I must assume that they knew and it was something to gain... like Congress and their "insider" trading, which is what it is... regardless of what they want to call it.<br><br>My heart hurts for all the people who have lost jobs and homes. Yes…it is what it is. I don’t feel like much is going to change until the politicians quit fighting, roll up their sleeves and get busy on the REAL problems in our nation. But…I don’t see that happening any time soon and that IS WHAT IT IS…sadly…<br></p> <p>I’ll let the “Fun Darlene” out of the box after I post this. I already feel better. Even if it is what it is….</p> Darlene ~Bloggity Blogger~http://www.blogger.com/profile/08202901408911879517noreply@blogger.com11