Looking Up

Lauren and light . . . .

2009-06-10T13:24:00.013-05:00

It pleases me so to follow that last post with one filled with light and love. My little grand niece, Lauren Marie, was baptized last weekend. I know I needn't label these pictures. Just think 'love', 'family', 'light' . . . .

___________________________________________________________________________________

Gone.

2009-06-03T17:29:00.010-05:00

We were gone for a week. The fox squirrels and red squirrels that gave life to my woodland backyard are gone. My neighbor across the street heard what he thought were fire crackers in our new neighbors' backyard.I have reason to believe these were gun reports.

Their property adjoins our property. Apparently they found the squirrels a nuisance.

I'm sick.

Update: I talked to the police and they've directed me to the ordinances covering discharging firearms and killing animals within the municipality. They agreed that an anonymous letter with copies of the applicable ordinances was a good idea. Then they said to call them immediately if I hear further reports. The letter will be in the mail tomorrow. My hope is that it will discourage any further slaughter of the creatures that drift between our properties.

_________________________________________________

Flying

2009-05-27T11:52:00.025-05:00

Our Town Memorial Day Ceremony

Pollen

TAPS

Day is done
Gone the sun
From the lakes
From the hills
From the sky All is well,
safely rest.
God is nigh.
Fading light Dims the sight
And a star Gems the sky,
Gleaning bright From afar,
Drawing nigh,
Falls the night.
Thanks and praise,
For our days,
Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.

This is where I am. "Looking Up" is merely recording visuals. People or insects. Clouds of moisture or pollen. For you who drop by, I turn and smile a knowing smile. The only caption I would wish for these pictures as they sift from the ether - is Gratitude.

Life flies. Beauty is at hand. Run, run! That's all. Sending you all smile upon smile from this sixty-two year old woman who has lived in the greatest country on earth and now looks back with gratitude and forward with hope.

When snow drifts the door . . . I'll return to your lintels. Fly! Fly!

________________________________________________________

Ah, Spring.

2009-04-23T10:07:00.012-05:00

From the ridiculous to the sublime. An interesting week.

Yep, I had to put this sign out there to stop the mayhem. Twice a year we can put unlimited trash on the curb. Stand back, folks. It's a jungle out there.

This was soooo cool. It's a Poison Hemlock moth who overwintered on a dirty windowsill ledge, just inside the screen. Can you believe the camouflage?

I think it's an aberrant house finch. First, for me. (Just did a little research. It's diet.)

My niece, Sarah, and little Katie. Wind, pinwheels, and spring. Sublime.

Katie's new sweet sis, Lauren. Yep, sublime.

___________________________________________________________________

Through the Trees

2009-04-06T15:17:00.015-05:00

Loudonville, Ohio. Where my brother and sis-in-law live among trees.

This is Tito. He likes looking at trees.

We took him on a ride in the country this weekend.

My brother took us waaaay back into rolling hills. He loves this tree.

Robin said, "Look up!" We did. Very different clouds.

"Draw!" said cowboy Keith.

Go ahead, click on the pix. I am arteeste ;0)

This one is for my brother. He looks at trees, rocks and people the way I do.

___________________________________________________________________-

Spring House Cleaning

2009-03-31T19:17:00.007-05:00

This is what I've been doing rather than facing the garage and basement. I'll bet you'd have cabin fever, too, if you lived as far north as some of your fellow bloggers. It's good to be out-of-doors.

__________________________________________________

Sure signs . . .

2009-03-26T21:45:00.011-05:00

(To those not versed in 'swan ways' . . . that's a love bite. Not to worry.)

Light and Pollen. Spring.

___________________________________________________________________

2009-03-26T21:19:00.016-05:00

Absolution

I was alone,
my small dark soul,
its wings hunched
beneath shame's weight.
The little light in the quiet
where I whispered sins
to the tired priest,
still rests inside that child’s heart.
Sweet sad light.

Today, I walked beside a lake
and startled when I saw the swans
released before the sun’s warm arms
have lifted leaves and grasses.

March is cold, but full of light;
a light that fills the outstretched wings
of a freed and joyous heart.
Oh white! White! White!
Oh white, bright heart!

________________________________________________

Spring Gratitude

2009-03-15T11:24:00.009-05:00

The sap is headed sun-ward. At night - winter tries to pull it back.

I watched this fellow pruning sapsicles.

text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8HjIZDEAy44/Sb0u4EuW68I/AAAAAAAACPI/gbETSSFJgUw/s400/YummyCicle2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313454676242787266" />
At first glance I thought he was gnawing on a bone, but naaah.

Is he cryn' ?

Yeah. Pretty sure that's a tear of gratitude.

Is that a happy tear on the robin's cheek, too. Alleluia. Spring at last.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Ohio . . . . . Arizona . . . . Ohio . . . . Arizona Hmmm

2009-03-10T11:34:00.014-05:00

If you asked these two winter-weary comrades - I'll bet they'd choose Arizona.

OK, wiseacres - you can come up with your own caption, but Chilhuly calls this 'Saffron Tower',

This pix is a metaphor for my winter-scrambled brain.

Another planet far far away. Sunlight, birds, faces that smile. Oh,sure, but find a decent mud puddle! Nah-ni-nah-ni-nah-na. We Ohioans have mud and you AZonians dohon't . . . ;0)

(Disclosure:0) We did get to enjoy a week of this very special place.
____________________________________________________________________________

Goodbye to All That

2009-02-08T11:15:00.016-05:00

Pelicans

2009-01-26T20:56:00.011-05:00

"Oh, a wondrous bird is the pelican!
His bill holds more than his belican.
He can take in his beak
Enough food for a week.
But I'm darned if I know how the helican."

Dixon Lanier Merritt
(1879-1972)

Addendum :0)

You've said such nice things. I've gotta tell you these pixes were dumb luck.
These pelicans were feeding right beneath the fish pier on Sanibel.
The light was perfect. It only happened once in the 3 weeks we've been here. Luck.
_____________________________________________________________-

My Wish for the New Year.More . . . . please.

2008-12-28T15:19:00.015-05:00

More happy surprises.

More sunrises with magic in their promise.

More Mystery and the opportunity to go exploring.

More listening to the voices that say 'come in'.

More glistening tree tops

More beauty in unexpected places.

More 'firsts' and TLC from a caring hubby.

More chances for a bullseye.

More time to look at clouds . . .

More whimsy.

More please.

And more new friends while cherishing the old.

All my wishes for all good things in the New Year - to you and those you cherish.

...................................................................

Wistful Novemeber

2008-11-05T20:27:00.009-05:00

Good people.

Good people.

November? So soon?

You bring your little candle to my door -

and ask for nothing

and leave

a smile.

Good people.

_____________________________________________

Update:

I know that all your families face challenges
and heartache . . .

My particulars are a paralyzed brother-in-law
a farmer - in an accident.

An aunt who will always be the tomboy
that led us on safaris and later to Aida . .
now facing endings.

Because you asked, good friends . . .
The plumbing is cranky ;0)
The shoulder is creaky ;-(
Still - fall came with color and breeze;
and pumpkins grinning from porches.

All will be well.

Sending love and smiles your way.

________________________________________________________________

Clouds Can Only Temporarily Obscure the Light

2008-10-28T20:58:00.003-05:00

Lovely. Thank you.

2008-09-09T14:38:00.005-05:00

Thank you from my heart. All is well. I'm posting from dear Hubby's computer as mine refuses to speak to the internet:0)

Everyday is filled with gratitude for love, caring and modern medicine.

That you all have not given up on me is pulling my heart strings till they draw tears.

Really, all is well. I know by the time the snow flies I'll be joining the merriment, the thought-provoking commentary - the whimsy and celebration that is all of you.

Much Love,
Cathy

Gosh . . . .

2008-07-22T15:22:00.005-05:00

Still here . . . .

Just a little preoccupied . .

You good people. I've not read my comments for a month. Thank you. Thank you. Things have been a little rocky and then whilst on Cape Cod my computer gave up the ghost after my shoulder 'went'.

Long story short: the Cipro for the GI business caused a tendon rupture. Please know that I know that despite the bod's infirmities - I am blessed, blessed, blessed. And now I'm afraid of being a bore, bore, bore as my shoulder issue becomes the center of the universe.

You are missed. You are wonderful. Wishing you a sun-drenched August, soft summer evenings, lightning bugs and all the languid, joyous things you dreamed of last winter.

_________________________________________________________________________

Sweet June

2008-06-11T16:36:00.005-05:00

Nuff said?

_____________________________________________________

Purge-atory

2008-06-03T16:14:00.008-05:00

Oh my friends - if you could hear the rumblings. Tomorrow is roto-rooter day. One bottle of Fleets Phospho Soda down and one to go. And I do mean go.

Step back in time with me when this blog spouted poetry and pictures. Remember the romps through indignation and delight, memory and mischief.

Now you are consigned to the complaints of an aging alimentary canal.

But after tomorrow and what I'm sure will be a clean-bill-of-health (with caveats) - I'll be up like the rosebuds (clematis, actually) high on the vine in my front yard and back to visit your merry blogs.

Seriously. Your kind and supportive comments mean more than I can say. Thank you, dear friends.

UPDATE: It's over. Wooohee. The prep was a cinch . . . the procedure . . . well I was one of the lucky ones who get a 'spasm' - the joys of which are fairly similar to childbirth replete with vomiting.
BOTTOM LINE (Har!) : No cancer, but facing life with a crabby gut and the great desire not to bore the snot out of people with the further adventures of Cathy's GI issues. You are all the greatest!

Isn't It Romantic? Not!

2008-05-15T17:03:00.008-05:00

Before I finally succumbed to the 'thing' - I snapped this Tundra Swan.

My last day birding I spotted this female yellow-headed blackbird.

A black-throated blue warbler sporting a different look.

To those of you who wander back to this abandoned little outpost in northwest Ohio - my sincere gratitude and apologies that your journeys have been for naught.

I know you've all heard of that tombstone in the Florida Keys that reads: "I told you I was sick".

Well. Mercy me. Now I have an answer as to why I just didn't feel good. It took a really miserable event to land me in the emergency room and into a CT to determine that the old gray mare has developed (I'm whispering this now) diverticulitis.

So more drugs and procedures are scheduled whilst I lie here behaving myself on bland food. I will not even create a link to this condition. Just don't get it. Ick.

Meanwhile the spring migration of warblers is passing over my head and I'm not on the lake to celebrate with the other birders. Poor me.

Actually, I'm just so grateful to have a diagnosis that I'm not indulging in a major pity party. It's OK to be on the receiving end of TLC. Really OK :0)

Hope all is well with you. Happy Spring. Happy Birding.

Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water

2008-04-19T14:52:00.013-05:00

Spring has been a little slow arriving.

It's a cliche, but no less, true: It's always darkest before the dawn.

It's the smiles of others that can bring you around. (Particularly if you're out for Woodcock viewing)

The sweet face of my grand-niece, Katie - makes me smile.

The promise of spring is found in the humblest places.

My front yard ducks bring a smile.

Or a sweet niece and nephew lending a hand to their ma and pa.

There's always someone or something out there to help launch your spirits.

Sometimes all you need to do is lift your hat and look around.

_____________________________________________________________

Curiouser and Curiouser

2008-04-18T15:04:00.017-05:00

My Double Bloodroot

Seems I'm shifting gears rather sluggishly, this spring.
I was spurred to post today because a curious thing occurred. Someone read my letter to the editor in the Wall Street Journal and moved by my "uncommon common sense" - sent me a book. Now imagine that: $15.00 plus postage to a stranger.

It's Mark Cahill's One Heartbeat Away. The query on the back cover asks: Is that all there is? This life and nothing more? It's a call to come to faith.

Well. Having spent too many hours in the last two days, sending comments to all the venues covering the Aliza Shvarts horror - and wrestling with that grubby little cloud in my head . . . well, I found the timing rather interesting.

I know that a few of my blogging buddies are people of faith. I've envied them that certainty.

I've not dropped by any of your blogs, recently, and hope that you're all so busy 'springin' that I'm not missing too much. In following the Shvarts story I followed an eloquent statement to Julie's blog, A Work in Progress. I needed the respite.

Anyhoo. Wishing you sunshine and puddles of daffodils and magnolia petals drifting down into green green lawns. I've cracked the door. The air is soft.

UPDATE:

A couple of you inquired about my WSJ letter. I was compelled to respond to a March 26 front page article about the increasing violence in black funeral parlors: "Deadly Business: Violence Roils Black Funeral Parlors". It really made me nuts because it dodged some of the very real problems confronting the black community and tried to correlate violence in black funeral parlor to the the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Huh?

Here's the wee bit of my letter they printed in their April 3 Letters To The Editor section:

May I suggest that the experts take a look at the entertainment culture?
How can one seriously wring one’s hands about the killing and turn a blind eye to the insidious, pernicious message from the dark world of much of gangsta rap music? The eulogies will continue and the fear and blood will not abate as long as we avert our faces from the corrosive effect of that part of the black youth culture.

Re-emergence

2008-04-06T08:51:00.014-05:00

The sun is back.

The Robins are back and singing despite the snow.

Two weeks ago I saw these tracks and knew my possum had stirred from under the shed.

Sure enough. There she is. Awwwww . . .(Really, she is there - just through the screen, beyond the dogwood trunks and drinking from the heated birdbath.)

My backyard ducks are back.

The Goldfinch's 'true colors' are re-emerging.

I shared my breakfast with the first fly of the season. He flew through my open car window as I relaxed in the local park.

That's Spring - sunshine and sitting on the porch to visit with newly emerged neighbors over a cup of coffee or a bit of toast. My license plates read: MI PORCH

________________________________________________________________

A Poem On Winter's Departure

2008-04-01T09:32:00.016-05:00

Deer hooves left muddy splashes as they crossed the brook.

Tracks indicated that someone made it home to safety . . .

. . after a narrow escape

Leavings

With winter's leaving

we will not see as clearly

where the deer stepped across the brook,

where the rabbit spun

toward home.

We will not remember

so clearly

the ice that climbed the broken stalks

and sparkled from a tuft of fur.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Shrugging It Off

2008-03-30T15:56:00.009-05:00

It's time to turn over a new leaf. We're ready for new leaves.

The garden angel is tired of her ermine hat and shawl.

All winter she's shared her cape with the Virginia Creeper that crept beneath it for shelter.

I envy her her patience.

We've all been clinging to thoughts of Spring.

Through the cold and snow - some of us have retained a rosey countenance.

Some of us have just been able to shrug it off.

Getting tired of shrugging? Do click the pix :0)

Had enough, yet?

__________________________________________________________________