tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52594676864586906152024-03-13T16:04:49.621-05:00Picking Poppiesby Kim Stevens... life, art and butterfliesKim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.comBlogger387125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-20169403342030203882015-05-16T05:00:00.000-05:002015-05-16T05:00:02.678-05:00Art of Awareness Blog Hop . . . Juvenile Arthritis<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">awareness of the interdependence of all these</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">all involved in one another."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>-Thomas Merton</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I first want to start out by saying thank you to our hostess, Lori of <a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Pretty Things</span></a>,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">for this great idea, and to </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">bead artist, Heather Millican of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/swoondimples" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Swoondimples</span></a>. for her bead beans</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">that you will see as </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">a common denominator in </span>everyone's<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Art Awareness piece today.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My hope is that this awareness blog hop will bring a new sense of compassion to </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">all of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Because everyone is fighting something and we never know what life will throw at us, or where and how hard we will land (or fall). </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Because it doesn't just effect us personally, it ultimately effects us all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hi, my name is Kim, and I am a parent of a child with Juvenile Arthritis.</span><br />
Approximately 300,000 children in the U.S. as young as infants to teens have been diagnosed with some type of juvenile arthritis. There are six different sub-types, 5 of those being autoimmune diseases, with the last one considered an auto-inflammatory disease, and the one my son has.<br />
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In March of 2103 my son was diagnosed at the age of 15 with a rare and serious form of juvenile<br />
arthritis called Systemic Onset Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis or SO JIA, sometimes referred to as Still's Disease. Out of the 300,000 kids who have arthritis, only 10% get this type.<br />
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<u><b>What is SO JIA?</b></u><br />
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It is a systemic inflammatory disease that can affect their organs and tissues as well as their joints. It is often accompanied by high fevers and a salmon-colored rash at the onset of illness and has the potential to be life-threatening.<br />
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Here in the United States there are currently less than 250 pediatric rheumatologists and 90% are<br />
clustered among the large cities. There are 11 states that have no board-certified practicing pediatric<br />
rheumatologists, 19 with three or less, and the remaining have 4 or more. Some people have to travel<br />
long distances on a weekly or monthly basis just to get treatment.<br />
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My son wakes up with stiffness and pain on most days. He is tired more often, and everyday small motor tasks like buttoning a shirt can sometimes be challenging. Juvenile arthritis is not "just arthritis." It's MRI's and CT scans and x-rays. It's hospitalization for an infection. It's emergency room visits, and irreversible damage to joints. Sometimes it's having to give up things you used to do. It's hours and hours of infusions and blood draws, lost time from school and make up work. It's serious side effects from those infusions including the risk of cancer. It's the 5 stages of grief that you go through as you see your child lose his "old" life in exchange for this new one. It is a thief of childhood and adolescence and it impacts the entire family.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I ran out of daylight as I got this bracelet done last minute so I used my cell phone to save time. And I can't believe I forgot to take a picture of the back of the bead which has a ribbon imprinted on it. This week has been a train wreck of a week between the 8" of rain in one night and flooding that nearly kept us from getting to our infusion (except that the one on ramp I needed to take was the only one not under water), waking up to a completely defrosted freezer and refrigerator full of food (it was the converter), the internet going out in the middle of writing this and random power outages. And sick caterpillars and dead butterflies ( I raise them.) So these are what they are, the color is slightly off. I promise it all blends in person. The dangle flower beads are a pretty gray-blue and are </span>opalescent<span style="font-family: inherit;"> which doesn't translate in the photo either.</span><br />
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I chose the word "reach", which is my word for the year, to signify reaching for hope, and faith and for a cure. And because despite all these challenges I want him to still be able to reach for the stars and touch everything in between. (more on my word reach <a href="http://pickingpoppies.blogspot.com/2015/01/whats-word.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">here</span></a>)<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In a perfect world I would have gotten this post done a month ago, but nearly a month ago our world was turned upside down once again. And rather than write a novel (I know, this is </span>probably<span style="font-family: inherit;"> already borderline) , I do hope you will click </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://pickingpoppies.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-journey-of-one-little-word.html" style="font-family: inherit;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">here</span></a> </span>as this link has an overview of what the first few months were like when he was first diagnosed and is part of a bigger story. It will help you understand the gigantic peaks and valleys of this disease that are always ongoing. No good news goes uncelebrated at our house.</div>
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So fast forward, back to nearly the first of this year. He has continued to have flares, which include the systemic rash that comes and goes and is a sign of something going on. And it's accompanied by more pain and stiffness and intermittent fatigue. And my mom sense says in the last few months something just seems off. I've noticed the joints in his hands are looking bigger and swollen and I inquire about having x-rays done (that they compared to his baseline ones from two years ago). There is now permanent and irreversible erosion in his hands, primarily his left. And they are adding methotrexate, a chemo drug, to prevent further damage to his hands. He is only 17, he will need those later in life. And here's the thing, we have to do the injections at home, weekly...sigh.</div>
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Yes, kids get arthritis too and I often hear, but he doesn't look sick. And that's because his body</div>
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is waging war against itself on the inside. He won't outgrow it and there is no cure, but we do pray for remission or better yet a miracle. </div>
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To date, my son is one of the strongest and bravest people I know.</div>
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Love, Kim</div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.prettythingsblog.com/2015/05/the-art-of-awareness-blog-hop.html" target="_blank">Art of Awareness Blog Hop</a></span></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com39tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-12162016549598437322015-05-12T01:46:00.002-05:002015-05-12T10:42:39.253-05:00Oh What a Beautiful Mornin' . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Oh What a Beautiful Mornin',</span></div>
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by Rogers and Hammerstein II</div>
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Oh what a beautiful day,</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">{KK Warm Sun}</span></div>
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There's a bright golden haze on the meadow,</div>
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and,</div>
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All the sounds of the earth are like music.</div>
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Especially the sounds at a sunrise.</div>
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I've been absent from here, and have spent a great deal of mornings in the last few weeks at the sunrise. It's that one place that gives me the reassurance of a new day. Not tomorrow's new day, just this one, the only one promised.</div>
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This coming Saturday, May 16th, I'm participating in a unique "Awareness" blog hop. Each participant has chosen a special awareness to write about. Either something that has touched them personally or something very close to their heart, and I would be so grateful if you came back . . . I will be sharing a lot more information about Juvenile Arthritis and some of our journey. It will explain why I haven't been here, and our challenges going forward.</div>
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And one last thing, today is my last regular post as a contributor at FOL...<a href="http://focusingonlifegrp.blogspot.com/2015/05/goodbye-doesnt-always-mean-end.html#.VVIe2flVhBc" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Goodbye doesn't always mean, the end.</span></a><br />
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Love, Kim xo</div>
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<a href="http://kimklassen.com/tt-the-studio-preset-collection-revealed-almost/" target="_blank">Texture Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://youllshootyoureyeout-kathy.blogspot.com/2015/05/song-ography-oh-what-beautiful-morning.html" target="_blank">Song-ography</a>, <a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/p52-sweet-shot-tuesday-week-19-3/" target="_blank">Sweet Shot Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com/2015/05/roses-of-inspiration-linkup-19.html" target="_blank">Roses of inspiration</a></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-20086327677049142852015-04-21T08:12:00.001-05:002015-04-21T08:12:22.917-05:00To marvel at . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>. . . everything!</b></span><br />
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<i>"All God's creations great and small,</i></div>
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<i>the Golden Gate and the Taj Mahal..."</i></div>
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- The Miracle by Queen</div>
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"The <strike>Golden</strike> garden gate"</div>
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<i>"We're having a miracle on earth, mother nature does it all for us. . . </i></div>
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<i>The wonders of the world go on . . ."</i></div>
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. . . and on and on whether or not we are paying attention.</div>
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Slow down and observe.</div>
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<i>"If every leaf on every tree, could tell a story that would be a miracle. . . "</i></div>
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I would be the first one in line to buy that book!</div>
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And what a story it would tell about photosynthesis...a miracle all by itself.</div>
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So much going on inside that leaf, a life force.</div>
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Slow down and appreciate.</div>
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[KKwaterfront7_magic]</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"There are only two ways to live your life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One is as though nothing is a miracle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The other is as if everything is."</span> <i>- Albert Einstein</i></div>
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So often we (I), associate miracles with being on a grand scale...like when our kids were born, or someone survives a really horrible car crash. Or when a tornado wipes out a town and there are no fatalities. </div>
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But the reality is, a million little miracles happen to each of us every single day and probably go unnoticed as such. Maybe, or more likely, a lot of them are things we might associate with as mere annoyances (like hitting every red light). Things that put us in the right place at the right time, that connects us with someone else, that keeps us from harms way. Because timing is everything.</div>
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We probably even think of them as more of a coincidence rather than miracles.</div>
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But you know, I imagine something really incredible, even <i>miraculous</i> perhaps, would happen if we chose to live all our moments as if they were miracles. Maybe even something called gratitude, because gratitude changes the heart for sure, and it doubles that thing called joy.</div>
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Love, Kim</div>
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<a href="http://kimklassen.com/tt-my-lightroom-presets-in-action/" target="_blank">Texture Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/p52-sweet-shot-tuesday-week-16-3/" target="_blank">Sweet Shot Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://youllshootyoureyeout-kathy.blogspot.com/2015/04/song-ography-miracle-edition.html" target="_blank">Song-ography</a>, <a href="http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com/2015/04/roses-of-inspiration-linkup-16.html" target="_blank">Roses of Inspiration</a></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-53637549026057261022015-04-17T11:02:00.001-05:002015-04-17T11:02:16.729-05:00A new adventure . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>. . . with lego girl!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Call me a bit of a nerd, but I have always wanted a lego person, with a camera!</span></div>
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So, ta da, meet lego girl (she is a Nikon gal too) ;)</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I probably should give her a name (and pink highlights), any good ideas?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">She has already had quite the adventure and I will be sharing here as</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">well as on instagram (kimatpickingpoppies).</span></div>
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So earlier in the week I found this fella at the gas pump. All excited, I ran into the gas station and asked the attendant if I could have an empty cup or anything to take this guy home in for a photo op. I was pretty sure it was a type of tussock moth caterpillar, just wasn't sure which kind.</div>
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Well, it's not exactly the kind you want to run into because those are urticating (or stinging) hairs. They have a venom (they aren't really poisonous) that can cause some pain and irritation depending on individual reactions. I believe this is a fir tussock moth caterpillar, and they love oak trees.</div>
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Now, later in the week, I stopped to get some soup at La Madeleine and when I came back out the side entrance, I spotted another one, and another one, and then I noticed they were all over the table, and on the building and well, they were crawling everywhere. There were even some dangling by a silk thread from the overhang over the exit door I just walked out of. Then I found it, the host tree on the corner, an oak. I walked back to my car and they were crawling on my car, and the cars next to me, and they were dropping from the tree I parked under! I have to say I was a little freaked out to get in my car, and I don't get that way often. But it was a caterpillar apocalypse.</div>
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I had my camera in the car, so I tried to get a picture (hard through a slanted and tinted window). You can see some of the bigger ones, but there are smaller ones that are harder to see, and those blobs in between the bark, those are cocoons. And just in the last day or so, I've found two of these guys on my front porch and I'm a little nervous because we have two live oaks in our front yard....I keep checking them and haven't see any on the tree so far, but I have noticed the wasps are quite interested in something up there. And while I'm not fond of wasps because they eat my monarch caterpillars, I might just add them to my friends list if they help keep this one out of my trees. </div>
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I love to photograph water, any kind, fast, slow, from an ocean or a fountain it doesn't matter. And the other day while at my favorite nursery I found a fountain where the light was hitting just right and as the water was drip, drip, dripping....it shared some wisdom with me. I will share that snippet with you in a later blog post.</div>
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On the caterpillar front, I have some monarchs, but things haven't exactly started out so great. Two stalled in the middle of their pupation, and some have died in various instars. I can't seem to keep up with the chalcid wasps who find the eggs before I do and parasitize them. And yeah, back to those wasps....I took a plant outside and I had only been out for 5-10 minutes when I was distracted by something and came back to find one of the caterpillars had met a horrible death.</div>
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sigh.....being a caterpillar mom is hard, and heartbreaking, and frustrating.</div>
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But on a fun note, I saw a polydamas butterfly visiting my pipevine and was so hoping she would stop and lay some eggs....and she did....almost 50 of them! I love raising those guys, so much easier. So since it's still early, my pipevine hasn't grown back that much yet and I ran to get a few more of the smaller one, the fimbriata and I only hope it will be enough!</div>
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I'm hoping for good weather tomorrow, even though it says 80% rain, since my son</div>
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who is coaching 6th grade 7 on 7 football has their state championship tournament tomorrow.</div>
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Cross your fingers, we have three games.</div>
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That's my random finds for the week and I hope you have a stellar weekend!</div>
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Love, Kim</div>
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<a href="http://kimklassen.com/ff-prop-swapping/" target="_blank">Friday Finds</a></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-87003611795414192702015-04-14T00:09:00.004-05:002015-04-14T08:49:14.347-05:00Soak up the sun . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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"I"m gonna soak up the sun</div>
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while it's still free</div>
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I'm gonna soak up the sun</div>
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before it goes out on me."</div>
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<i>-Soak up the Sun (by Cheryl Crow)</i></div>
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It seems lately, all the sun does is go out under the cloud cover.</div>
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And it's certainly not been the shining star (get it) of the sunrise these days either. :)</div>
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So I had to go back a few months, to last year really, </div>
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for a sunrise where the sun wasn't so shy, or lost.</div>
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I've heard rumors that people like to wake up to Folgers in their cups,</div>
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me, I like to wake up to sunshine in my day....everyday.</div>
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[KK 1216]</div>
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And at least, when the sun can't get around all that cloud cover, there is always the blanket flower to act as an understudy!</div>
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Hope this finds you in a sun shiny day (we have a 10 day forecast of mostly rain),</div>
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*P.S. - I almost forgot, I am over at Focusing on Life today musing about our {Flower Theme}. We are like flowers....<a href="http://focusingonlifegrp.blogspot.com/2015/04/music-of-earth.html#.VSz2L_nF-24" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Music of the Earth</span></a>.</div>
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Love, Kim</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">sharing with <a href="http://kimklassen.com/tt-table-chair-series/" target="_blank">Texture Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://youllshootyoureyeout-kathy.blogspot.com/2015/04/song-ography-soak-up-sun-edition.html" target="_blank">Song-ography</a>, <a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/p52-sweet-shot-tuesday-week-15-3/" target="_blank">Sweet Shot Tuesday</a>, Roses of Inspiration</span></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-36354447688407351602015-04-07T10:42:00.000-05:002015-04-07T17:48:18.144-05:00You see, I've been through the desert . . . <br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>. . . on a horse with no name</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On the first part of <strike>the</strike> our journey <i>#2500mi</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I was looking at all the life <i>#frommycarwindow</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There were plants and birds and rocks and things <i>#mostlyrocks</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There was sand and hills and rings <i>#norings</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>-A Horse With No Name by America</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The thing about vacations is, that when you haven't been on one in a while (a long, long while), you might try to cram too much into your </span>allotted<span style="font-family: inherit;"> time frame. The downside to that is you just don't get enough time in any one place, but the bonus to that (and thankfully there is one), is that you get to see many things and then you can decide where you want to go back and spend more time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is one of those places for me....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This was our last day in Arizona before heading back home and we had just finished a tour through a slot canyon and this place was only 10 minutes from there. And I'm SO glad we didn't decide to skip this!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon</b></span></div>
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When we arrived at the parking lot, we were at the bottom of a large hill. Once we climbed the hill (thank you new hiking shoes) we quickly realized there would be some more walking involved until we reached the awe-inspiring bend in the Colorado River. About 1.5 miles round trip to be exact, up and down a very sandy hill and across a sandstone incline.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So away we went....and if you look really, really closely (you might need a magnifying glass) you can see dots of people way in the distance. There are some even sitting and standing that very large sandstone hill on the right. And beyond that are the Paria Plateau and Vermillion Cliffs. </span></div>
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As we got closer to the bottom it got a little bumpier as it alternated between the sand and the slopping Navajo Sandstone. Now you can see those people a little better. Sure gives a perspective of how far away 3/4 of a mile is.</div>
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So, one thing you should know about me is that I'm deathly afraid of heights. I get chills up and down the backs of my legs and feel a bit disoriented, and just looking at a picture will do the same thing. And, you have to understand that there are NO railings here whatsoever...you are on your own, at the mercy of a gust of wind or someone else standing close to you. This explains why my son went on ahead of us...he was sparing me some stress, and he has heard the lecture of how NOT to stand too close to the edge. Really, the whole thing just freaks me out.</div>
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And the next thing I know, my daughter hands my son her phone and says take a picture of me laying within an inch of my life on a narrow strip of sandstone? Seriously?</div>
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So, I find a spot that gives me enough room to get this shot without (hopefully) rolling off the edge myself, 'cause I do get in the zone when I have that camera up to my eye! </div>
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She says to me...mom, this view is amazing and very peaceful. And then I think to myself...I didn't come 2500 miles, and trudge all the way down here to be a coward.</div>
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So you know what? I said what the hell and I handed my girl my camera and starting about 5 feet away I laid down and crawled to edge. And you know what...it was so beautiful and peaceful, and awe-inspiring. And then I performed my biggest feat of all...she handed me my camera and I put the strap around my neck, and I leaned into the landscape...and I'm still here.</div>
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Because you can't get this view...unless you are within an inch of your life, or the edge. And the only thing I was wishing for at this point was a wider lens. But I was just in a canyon prior to this where they were throwing sand and I wasn't about to change my lens without a blower. And by the way, it's 1000 feet straight down to the bottom, to that gorgeous Colorado River. See that white fleck near the edge of the bank on the right side, that's a large boat.</div>
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It's almost mind blowing to know that after the Colorado Plateau uplifted 5 million years ago that the river after being trapped, cut through this rock, and not only that but it created a 270 degree bend in the canyon.<br />
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And somewhere on the river below the dam, there is a panel of petroglyph left by Ancestral Puebloans over 800 years ago. Putting that on the checklist for next time.</div>
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On our way back up, and as an excuse to catch my breath, I tried to take in as many details as I could.</div>
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I was fascinated by these rock sculptures that were very meditative. I couldn't help but wonder who had put them there.</div>
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And how they don't blow over in the strong winds, or get knocked over by wildlife.<br />
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And then we finally made it back up to the top, and I sat under this gazebo to rest. </div>
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I have to admit, going back up sorta felt like a stress test!</div>
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It had also been a long, busy week and we were all tired.</div>
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(KK 1217 music)</div>
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And as I was sitting there, and getting one last view of where I had just been, it hit me all of a sudden. And I know this is chronologically out of vacation order, but the whole trip even though it was amazing and fun, was a little hurried for me...the wanderer. I just didn't feel like I had the time to explore and discover, and even though I personally would have loved to stay here a little longer, this is where I finally found that moment of peace and tranquility. </div>
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The place where I reached out and conquered a real fear, and it felt powerful. But just to be clear, I'm still afraid of heights.</div>
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"Take risks. Ask big questions.</div>
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Don't be afraid to make mistakes;</div>
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if you don't make mistakes, you're</div>
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not reaching far enough." - <i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">David Packard</span></i></div>
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Have a great day!</div>
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Love, Kim</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://kimklassen.com/tt-in-crates/" target="_blank">Texture Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://youllshootyoureyeout-kathy.blogspot.com/2015/04/song-ography-american-pie-edition.html" target="_blank">Song-ography</a>,<a href="http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com/2015/04/roses-of-inspiration-linkup-14.html" target="_blank"> Roses of Inspiration</a>, <a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/p52-sweet-shot-tuesday-week-14-3/" target="_blank">Sweet shot Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.de/2015/04/our-world-13-april-2015.html" target="_blank">Our World Tuesday</a></span></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-33389977738537042262015-03-31T00:54:00.000-05:002015-03-31T08:40:59.862-05:00We could see for miles, and miles, and . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">. . . miles</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[KK 411]</span></div>
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Technically<span style="font-family: inherit;"> it was more like 3/4 of a mile . . . did you know that people look like ants that far away?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">One whole spring break week of togetherness, some little things, some big things, and we definitely took some things to new heights....even tried something new.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2500 miles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8 days</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 states</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 capitols</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 zoo</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 canyon with a bend</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 slot canyon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 grand canyon</span><br />
and a walk through the Sonora desert<br />
Oh and one white knuckle ride on a curvy road near dusk with no guard rail! #youcouldhearapindrop<br />
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We might have even [#oops] gotten back a day early. #totallynotplanned<br />
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Last week was crazy busy with doctor visits, some planned some not, and my poor fur baby had an infected paw.<br />
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It's my turn today, I'm finally getting re-allergy tested. My allergies have gotten so bad that I've developed asthma and allergies to foods because I'm so environmentally allergic [to every grass weed and tree in Texas]. Last time I was tested it wasn't pretty and I had a bad reaction to the testing, so keep your fingers crossed.<br />
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In the meantime, I'm over at Focusing on Life today with some thoughts about personal growth, can you measure it? I would be gobsmacked if you would join me <a href="http://focusingonlifegrp.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">here</span></a>,<br />
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Hopefully I'll see ya on Thursday,<br />
Love, Kim<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://kimklassen.com/tt-in-stillness/" target="_blank">Texture Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/p52-sweet-shot-tuesday-week-13-3/" target="_blank">Sweet Shot Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com/2015/03/roses-of-inspiration-linkup-13.html" target="_blank">Roses of Inspiration</a></span><br />
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<br />Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-8365731467579660462015-03-12T03:15:00.001-05:002015-03-12T03:15:58.600-05:00Because it's the little things . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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. . . and because it's Thursday!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Little things seem nothing,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">but they give peace,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">like those meadow flowers which</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">individually seem odorless</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">but all together perfume the air."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>- Georges Bernanos</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Little things like this add up to Spring,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Spring means there is a break from school,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">and when both your kids get the same Spring break</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">it's a little miracle of sorts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Especially when one is in college and one is in high school.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So, next week I will be celebrating this alignment with them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The little things, maybe some big things, maybe we'll even</span></div>
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take some things to new heights.</div>
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Games, laughter, maybe we'll try something new.</div>
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Being together as a family of four again will be just fine too!</div>
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I hope you have a great rest of the week, plus one more.</div>
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And I hope that Spring will be a little closer to being sprung</div>
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for those of you still waiting!</div>
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Love, Kim</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://littlebylittleblog.com/little-things-thursday-85/" target="_blank">Little Things Thursday</a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2015/03/11/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-180/" target="_blank">Thursday Favorite Things</a></span></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-78566345824174679812015-03-05T03:16:00.003-06:002015-03-05T03:16:53.883-06:00Preparing for take off . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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Activity is reaching fever pitch . . . Elizabeth Howard</div>
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"getting ready to go"</div>
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Once or twice a week now I get an email in my inbox from <a href="http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/" target="_blank">Journey North</a> with updates about the monarch activity in the mountain tops of Mexico, their overwintering site.</div>
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On February 26 there was a flurry of activity as the thirsty monarchs started breaking out their clusters on the trees looking for water, and within the month they will leave their winter home and begin their journey north to recolonize North America.</div>
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Which means, especially for those of us in Texas as the main migration corridor between Mexico and the States, please, please start planting nectar plants for their arrival, and milkweed for laying eggs. </div>
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"The monarchs would come out of the trees each time that cumulus clouds<br />covered the sun. They reached almost unbelievably dense numbers, flying<br />out over the llanos. The trees were nearly emptied at such times. Literally<br />every cubic foot of air held at least one monarch." <i>El Rosario Sanctuary, Feb 21, 2015</i></blockquote>
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Can you even imagine what a sight that is . . . sigh . . . I feel a lump in my throat thinking about it!! </div>
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As they break out of their clusters, looking for water they will also be mating and the females will be looking for a place to lay their eggs when they get here. When they arrived in Mexico in the fall the typical monarch weighed 140 mg and per Journey North those energy reserves are about 70% depleted by now. They will be very hungry when they get here.</div>
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For those of you unaware there was a petition filed last year to put the monarch on the endangered species list and within the stipulations of that status they had said that citizens would only be able to raise 10 wild caught caterpillars. Let's just say that didn't go over very well in the monarch community and they have since revised it to read 100 caterpillars. It is only a suggestion though, and will be at the discretion of the service if it's listed as threatened. That is still 500 less than what I raised last summer alone.</div>
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I simply don't agree with listing the monarch as endangered. Their migration is what is in danger because we have lost nearly all (90% or more) of the native milkweed in the Midwest that used to grow in our row crops, now being sprayed with Monsanto herbicides. (That's a whole other post by itself)</div>
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I spent some time today pulling weeds, starting to prep the garden and thinking about what I want to plant. Purple trailing lantana ( with a heavenly scent) and a red-orange-yellow variety that I think is called Luscious Citrus Blend, were both really big hits with all the butterflies {and the hummers loved the red one}. I also plant different varieties of salvia, coneflower, zinnia, penta {both butterfly and graffiti varieties}, hyssop (didn't come back last year, and couldn't find it last summer), and black-eyed susan. I'm sure there is something I'm missing and I hope to add to the list this summer, including some different host plants for more butterflies.</div>
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Here's to diggin' in the dirt!</div>
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Love, Kim</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://littlebylittleblog.com/little-things-thursday-84/" target="_blank">Little things Thursday</a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2015/03/04/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-179/" target="_blank">Thursday Favorite Things</a>, <a href="http://frame.bloglovin.com/?post=4216835198&group=0&frame_type=b&context=blog_profile&context_ids=12967811&blog=12967811&frame=1&click=0&user=0" target="_blank">Photo Art Thursday</a>, Friday Finds</span></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-45377679550894186052015-03-03T01:30:00.002-06:002015-03-03T09:43:39.625-06:00"Shake it Off", song-ography edition . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">. . . "can't stop, won't stop moving"</span></div>
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- <span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Shake it Off, Taylor Swift</span></div>
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There was a little mayhem and chaos on my front porch this weekend as I tried to photograph</div>
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tulips and poppies. The wind, it just wouldn't stop moving. . .</div>
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[KK taped edge]</div>
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. . . and the flowers and I couldn't keep up with all the grooving.</div>
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(Okay, so I'm really stretching this weeks song)</div>
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It probably started out in the thirties early Saturday morning, but because I had a bloom</div>
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on the poppy I went to the front porch in search of some light, and all I got was wind.</div>
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Now, I'm a pretty patient person, so I stuck it out for a little while, and then since I</div>
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just couldn't "shake it" I packed it in and came inside...with the plant.</div>
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That's when something magical happened, or at least for me. There were two buds that</div>
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were already split open, just enough to see the color and suddenly the pods popped off</div>
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and the flowers started to open like I was watching time lapse photography!</div>
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Literally, right before my eyes these flowers opened up, and it was magical! </div>
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I've never seen a flower open up that fast before, have you?</div>
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I would love for you to pop over <a href="http://focusingonlifegrp.blogspot.com/2015/03/its-not-that-easy.html#.VPXV0fnF_N0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">here</span></a>, to Focusing on Life, where I'm sharing</div>
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some thoughts on our new monthly theme (link won't be live til 3 am PST). And then why not</div>
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consider adding photos of the theme to our <a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/focusingonlife/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">flickr</span></a> group. You just may be </div>
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featured one Saturday morning on the blog!</div>
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Happy Tuesday,</div>
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love, Kim</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://kimklassen.com/tt-stacked-stills/" target="_blank">Texture Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://youllshootyoureyeout-kathy.blogspot.com/2015/03/song-ography-shake-it-off-edition.html" target="_blank">Song-ography</a>, <a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/p52-sweet-shot-tuesday-week-09-3/" target="_blank">Sweet Shot Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com/2015/03/roses-of-inspiration-linkup-9.html" target="_blank">Roses of Inspiration</a></span></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-18795120717273424802015-02-26T12:41:00.001-06:002015-02-27T06:15:46.753-06:00So, funny thing . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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. . . I took a walk several weeks ago on one of our coastal birding trails.</div>
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as I was walking along, up ahead on the trail I spied this....</div>
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a very exotic species of coastal bird,</div>
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CHICKENS! (who knew)</div>
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Before I could get much closer, they retreated back into the brush.</div>
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But then ahead, just slightly around the corner I could hear them so I positioned myself in a spot that I could see them if they decided to come back out. I could hear them, and had been waiting for about 15-20 minutes? Of course, right when they walk out and start feeding on some bird seed a couple with a stroller walk by and stop and start taking quite loudly and then ask me...."Are you a photographer".....yep, I am. And off run my subjects back into the wooded area.</div>
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(Now, I know they're just chickens, but they were beautiful and it's not a usual sight for me to see them here on the trail, so yeah I was kinda bent on getting some photos.)</div>
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It was a tad warm that day and I was carrying around my 70-200 lens which is pretty heavy and so I decided I would just climb up this little hill and sit down on the bench and rest for a moment. I hadn't sat down, literally for 30 seconds, when I hear a loud rustling from behind me, and this beautiful rooster comes barreling right over to me as if we're long lost friends. </div>
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And wouldn't ya know, someone else walking in the opposite direction takes notice of this rooster about the exact same time and stops and starts asking me if this is my pet? Ummm, I didn't really know what to say, because, who takes their chicken for a walk? lol</div>
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Of course he high-tailed it right back where he came from, and I moved on.</div>
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I did however, see some real coastal birds on the trail....</div>
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This is an Osprey. a type of hawk, a large raptor (with a wingspan of 59-71 inches) whose diet mainly consists of live fish. They have unique barbed soles on the bottom of their feet to help them grip slippery fish. And are quite fun to watch dive for food.</div>
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I don't know all my hawks, but I think this one is a Red Shouldered Hawk (anyone?) There were quite a few that morning soaring the skies.</div>
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Then a nice woman told me there were whistling ducks (Black-bellied Whistling-Duck) ahead on the right. She wasn't kidding, there were several groups just like this one and you couldn't miss them for all the noise they were making. And yes, their call sounds just like a whistle. They have the most beautiful bright pink bills.</div>
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Finally, I got some in flight....</div>
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And then on my way back to the car, I spotted this White Egret. They aren't as keen on getting their pictures taken, but this guy was concentrating pretty hard on brunch to care that much.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIyCJxSyFPgxwWSCvmGDFstmUpkUEJpYxmte9-2AMKFDejdyofADzDDXMzc1hZxzuHW9O5cRGcWfF08_TwBkWyThL5mPbp9CD4rR8zkbZ9IzrU6gS5Ng6Maf9KzKBDohEdqUPrOmiXp_s/s1600/DSC_2056resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIyCJxSyFPgxwWSCvmGDFstmUpkUEJpYxmte9-2AMKFDejdyofADzDDXMzc1hZxzuHW9O5cRGcWfF08_TwBkWyThL5mPbp9CD4rR8zkbZ9IzrU6gS5Ng6Maf9KzKBDohEdqUPrOmiXp_s/s1600/DSC_2056resize.jpg" /></a></div>
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It was a sun up to sun down kinda day....and on my way home, I had to make one more pit stop when I spied these guys on the side of the road in a field. I need a bumper sticker - don't follow too close, I make quick stops.</div>
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I should note that right across from the street is Galveston Bay....the best of both worlds. At least this time I didn't run into any wild boar...I'm not that fast a runner anymore!</div>
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Hope you all have a wonderful weekend, looks like the sun may appear here for a bit and then back to a week more of clouds and rain.</div>
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Love, Kim</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://littlebylittleblog.com/little-things-thursday-83/" target="_blank">Little Things Thursday</a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2015/02/25/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-178/" target="_blank">Thursday Favorite Things</a>, <a href="http://kimklassen.com/ff-tea-lemon/" target="_blank">Friday Finds</a></span></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-29817243200142955962015-02-24T01:21:00.000-06:002015-02-25T08:50:14.873-06:00On spending the afternoon . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"I don't want to come to the end of my life</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and find that I have just lived the length of it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">I want to have lived the width as well."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>-Diane Ackerman</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqC2Af6nok9_SbL7TYkldgag7iJUiHDLSV2wjbMvDJmnLItz0GUk9p1hy3t1FJXsmRzAmTIssRAUepO5jRENQZPKtgosHaFtBCIyTZQlv_qpjqvEK8hUUTTYM530JfF0rx4Z6TAJM5tR5I/s1600/DSC_8657copy3resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqC2Af6nok9_SbL7TYkldgag7iJUiHDLSV2wjbMvDJmnLItz0GUk9p1hy3t1FJXsmRzAmTIssRAUepO5jRENQZPKtgosHaFtBCIyTZQlv_qpjqvEK8hUUTTYM530JfF0rx4Z6TAJM5tR5I/s1600/DSC_8657copy3resize.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>{KK 212}</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Remember the story about the tortoise and the hare? How the hare laughed at the tortoise, who he said was too slow. How he bragged and bragged about how fast he could run....yep, that one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Remember what a joke he thought the tortoise was for even challenging him to a race? And that the hare ran so fast that he left the </span>tortoise<span style="font-family: inherit;"> behind, and how after half the race was over he got so confident that he stopped to play in the meadow and then took a nap?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, I think there is more to the moral of this story than "slow and steady wins the race."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Because, I don't believe life <i>IS</i> a race.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We live in a world so full of technology that we fool ourselves into thinking we can accomplish more than we do. It's simply an illusion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We live in a world where "fast and furious" is prized. Where people live only for the next big "thing" that will make them happy. The next vacation, or car, or when they are debt free. For the next job promotion, or when they lose weight. We are an "if" and "when" society. If and when I do these things, and accomplish this or that, then I will be happy kind of society. The kind of society that thinks the more that's on the schedule, the faster you will get to your destination.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But life isn't really about the destination, it's about the journey . . . it's about all the moments we touch from here to there. There is no medal to be found in getting to the finish line first, and no points for big meadows (of course the meadow is a metaphor, because meadows are quite lovely). And just like the hare, when we go too fast we become delusional about our time, how much we have and what our goals really are. And, when we have completely exhausted ourselves by going so fast, we may even find ourselves fast asleep in between.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We buy into that thought that life is lived at the next pit stop. But life commences here, and now, taking advantage of all that surrounds us as we plod on ever so slowly.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nzPxBzUJN02Kv-WE0KwrJBrWNpNNxGOq3xC5sR1hxAvT7tkkJehefDPnnf36GGOimsuFS0xhihFDjcPfatFe2NvDhf56Kum3zdabf-uHXqiBoUwxW-ceWXtSVcq2jAD2gorVZXkeppqY/s1600/DSC_8657copy1textresize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7nzPxBzUJN02Kv-WE0KwrJBrWNpNNxGOq3xC5sR1hxAvT7tkkJehefDPnnf36GGOimsuFS0xhihFDjcPfatFe2NvDhf56Kum3zdabf-uHXqiBoUwxW-ceWXtSVcq2jAD2gorVZXkeppqY/s1600/DSC_8657copy1textresize.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When we go slow enough, we don't necessarily have to stop. We can take in the view, and reach out and touch everything. We can see things because the road isn't moving so fast.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And then we can say, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"I owned ever second that this world could give . . . " - One Republic</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's a choice to spend an afternoon, one slow step after the other. It's also a choice not to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Trying to be the tortoise,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Love, Kim</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://kimklassen.com/tt-dark-moody-edition/" target="_blank">Texture Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://youllshootyoureyeout-kathy.blogspot.com/2015/02/song-ography-i-lived-edition.html" target="_blank">Song-ography</a>, <a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/p52-sweet-shot-tuesday-week-08-3/" target="_blank">Sweet Shot Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com/2015/02/roses-of-inspiration-linkup-8_24.html" target="_blank">Roses of Inspiration</a></span><br />
<a href="http://communalglobal.blogspot.com/2015/02/WATW25215.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Wednesday Around the World</span></a></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com43tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-57316461529821750992015-02-18T23:35:00.001-06:002015-02-20T06:46:57.551-06:00It's coming soon . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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. . . to a neighborhood near you!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"The Ladybug wears no disguises.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She is just what she advertises.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A speckled spectacle of spring,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A fashion statement on the wing . . . </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A miniature orange kite.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A tiny dot-to-dot delight."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>- J. Patrick Lewis</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJd_dFkoTUcN2We5WHdwAn443xR8CICfspnrpE4-GfftBbVKJ0ets_Sp53BQ5VOSaG6UhoPcCZ_0zMktJhopm7wRV7V4rlt3iwF7hSQp4WddTTObdk98AFIGVrdFM718vIFLqL-rnvBsh/s1600/DSC_2797copy1resizeW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJd_dFkoTUcN2We5WHdwAn443xR8CICfspnrpE4-GfftBbVKJ0ets_Sp53BQ5VOSaG6UhoPcCZ_0zMktJhopm7wRV7V4rlt3iwF7hSQp4WddTTObdk98AFIGVrdFM718vIFLqL-rnvBsh/s1600/DSC_2797copy1resizeW.jpg" /></a></div>
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I've been trying to make it to my nursery once a week to check on the flower inventory.</div>
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Been looking for poppies, anemone and or ranunculus, and the only one I've managed</div>
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to come across is the ranunculus. But they have been the really tiny ones and no</div>
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soft peachy pinks, my favorite.</div>
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But last week, I came across dozens upon dozens of ladybugs. Not sure if they put them</div>
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there or they found their way there. But I can say that there will positively be little</div>
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ladybug larva soon.</div>
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I was so enthralled by them I must have spent at least 45 minutes with my camera in</div>
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the same spot. But boy oh boy can they move fast, which sure makes it tricky to get</div>
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them in focus.</div>
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I know most of you have had either bitter cold weather or have been buried in snow</div>
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this past week(s), and I just want to let you know that it won't be long...</div>
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. . . spring really is coming, I promise.</div>
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I know this because it happens every year without fail, and the tree pollen</div>
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has been off the chart here. I don't think I've ever had this much trouble with asthma before.</div>
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So, keep your eyes peeled, it may be subtle, but she's on her way.</div>
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Love, Kim</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://littlebylittleblog.com/little-things-thursday-82/" target="_blank">Little Things Thursday</a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2015/02/18/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-177/" target="_blank">Thursday Favorite Things</a>, <a href="http://kimklassen.com/ff-paper-bunting-vignette/" target="_blank">Friday Finds</a></span></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-62239019215392859992015-02-17T03:00:00.000-06:002015-02-17T03:50:19.780-06:00"Thinking Out Loud" - Song-ography<div style="text-align: center;">
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. . .we found love right where we are</div>
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Over the weekend we decided to take a drive to see the college girl. After all what's a Valentine's Day celebration without the whole family? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxeaXdDw0bb6cEw48OzMY_T2pYLpZz_Z-htdB-zgdL8aa-dyrnuS9YoaRYO9fW1zwD1MqAXRdhqJy-yOT-WoZM-BXvDT5SfYg2YKx3aS35iqwwNlk-OASQtpBYxSR-BxHqN4JW2WTRNcE/s1600/DSC_3916resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxeaXdDw0bb6cEw48OzMY_T2pYLpZz_Z-htdB-zgdL8aa-dyrnuS9YoaRYO9fW1zwD1MqAXRdhqJy-yOT-WoZM-BXvDT5SfYg2YKx3aS35iqwwNlk-OASQtpBYxSR-BxHqN4JW2WTRNcE/s1600/DSC_3916resize.jpg" /></a></div>
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"Mount Bonnell" at 785 feet {miniature effect}</div>
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And at 785 feet it's one of the highest points in Austin. Now I know why I almost had a heart attack by the time I walked up all the stairs! And, I think it's safe to say that we probably picked the busiest day ever to climb to the top of this limestone rock.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6s2GLYaQoJf9FRFTeq7CAb4Rnnc24pU8oxf2ziwi5dkA9PnH-JxpcArlsb2d79CwflRMxNusBlVBF6WTrH1XZR3S7rz_-vsD4ozjC9MHeBPL9rLj0yW2rm0OVMVJ49JyrE9p1524mpL2/s1600/DSC_3950copy1resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6s2GLYaQoJf9FRFTeq7CAb4Rnnc24pU8oxf2ziwi5dkA9PnH-JxpcArlsb2d79CwflRMxNusBlVBF6WTrH1XZR3S7rz_-vsD4ozjC9MHeBPL9rLj0yW2rm0OVMVJ49JyrE9p1524mpL2/s1600/DSC_3950copy1resize.jpg" /></a></div>
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You see, there is a legend in them hills . . . legend has it that a couple will fall in love on their first visit to Mount Bonnell, become engaged on their second visit, and marry on the third. And we did see a couple getting their engagement pictures done, with a sign that said . . . he stole her heart, so she stole his last name.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflvjGtpnwtGUhKmbvi-eQR1Ki-IH3R4EWBE4uyizZ4kP38yYnvlYjhyQRqEGoen6UD8hjq3j6afXOvMmH3Kcw7zIf3R36ncx391q9D0O8oEKywlbUfd6ywmWGP-gDzz5pX3z_0yE9nEsJ/s1600/DSC_3820copy1resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgflvjGtpnwtGUhKmbvi-eQR1Ki-IH3R4EWBE4uyizZ4kP38yYnvlYjhyQRqEGoen6UD8hjq3j6afXOvMmH3Kcw7zIf3R36ncx391q9D0O8oEKywlbUfd6ywmWGP-gDzz5pX3z_0yE9nEsJ/s1600/DSC_3820copy1resize.jpg" /></a></div>
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{KK 2810}</div>
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"Mount Bonnell, in miniature"</div>
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And I do wonder how many people fell in love that night, and how many were engaged.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOlLxJ4dLaT4HwYOGerZ9jpmDSjfpqGSwCV3B4tzmDUtWVi05_Lr-jVHs478828Gp-cLNygFHCmXfI4AwbHEKn2c_AiCvBWUDWwP2orPrdOa0KNA2s23-Te2DxqY1gKHUi7Ge5sQZ6FrN/s1600/DSC_3969copy2resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOlLxJ4dLaT4HwYOGerZ9jpmDSjfpqGSwCV3B4tzmDUtWVi05_Lr-jVHs478828Gp-cLNygFHCmXfI4AwbHEKn2c_AiCvBWUDWwP2orPrdOa0KNA2s23-Te2DxqY1gKHUi7Ge5sQZ6FrN/s1600/DSC_3969copy2resize.jpg" /></a></div>
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Just thinkin' out loud here . . . wondering if you've already fallen in love, been engaged and married (with kids) by the time you make your first trip to the top, do you get bonus years?</div>
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At the very least a gold star for climbing the stairs before you find out that there was</div>
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a much easier way to get up there besides straight up?</div>
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Yep, as a family, we not only found love, but lots of laughs, right where we were!</div>
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{Insert puffy heart here}</div>
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Love, Kim</div>
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P.S. I'm over at <a href="http://focusingonlifegrp.blogspot.com/2015/02/convergence-and-crossroad.html#.VOMMdvnF_N0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Focusing on Life</span></a> today with some thoughts on what happens when my heart and</div>
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the mindfulness of a moment converge, and the crossroad when it does not.</div>
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sharing with <a href="http://kimklassen.com/quiet-still-life-moment/" target="_blank">Texture Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://youllshootyoureyeout-kathy.blogspot.com/2015/02/song-ography-thinking-out-loud-edition.html" target="_blank">Song-ography</a>, <a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/p52-sweet-shot-tuesday-week-07-3/" target="_blank">Sweet Shot Tuesday</a>, Roses of Inspiration</div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-24635529070817801142015-02-10T11:23:00.002-06:002015-02-10T11:23:06.540-06:00I can see clearly now . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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"We have no right to ask when sorrow comes, "Why did</div>
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this happen to me?" unless we ask the same question for</div>
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every moment of happiness that comes our way."</div>
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- Author Unkown</div>
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When life hands you lemons, you make lemonade.</div>
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When you go to the sunrise without your tripod mount,</div>
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you make abstract images.</div>
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This was the Friday of the bad week I mentioned last week. My boy was home from school for the second time in a week because of an arthritis flare, which was making it difficult for him to walk.</div>
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I decided to head out to the sunrise for a little therapy, meditation, solitude . . . to one of my meeting places with God. Unlike me, He is never late. (stop laughing Michelle) ;)<br />
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When I made it to the top of the bridge I could see the sky was gorgeous. I parked and got out to get my tripod and realized I hadn't put my tripod mount on my camera. But when I went to fetch it out of my bag, it wasn't there. I could not find it anywhere . . . so instead of fight the slow shutter speed and bump my ISO into oblivion I just went with the flow...literally.... </div>
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...until there was enough light to hand hold without (unintentional) camera blur.</div>
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This weeks song-ography is kinda perfect for my day . . . I can see clearly now, by Jimmy Cliff . . . </div>
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I can see clearly now, the rain is gone</div>
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I can see all obstacles in my way</div>
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Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind</div>
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It's gonna be a bright, bright, sunshine day.</div>
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After the sunrise, I went to the nearby Starbucks for my usual Salted Caramel Mocha, and had intended to bring my journal and a photography book . . . which I also somehow managed to leave at home on my kitchen table. </div>
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So I sat down with my overflowing coffee at a table, the only table left in between two other occupied tables. I was having a hard time that morning . . . some days are harder when you're managing a child with a chronic illness, and no 17 year old should have trouble walking because of arthritis. No 17 year old should have to tell his mom he feels old when he gets out of a car. So yeah, with this flare he had I was feeling really sad for him.</div>
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As I was sipping my coffee, the song "Hallelujah" started playing, and that's about all it took for me to lose it. As in, I had to go outside with my coffee because I couldn't cry quietly, because I didn't want to cry quietly. I wanted to scream . . . this, this isn't fair!</div>
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I quickly finished my coffee, took the mug back inside and preceded to take a very brisk walk on the boardwalk that overlooks the bay. I came to the railing and just stood there. I was feeling angry, and I'm pretty sure I used some curse words. It was a windy morning and as I was standing there watching the waves, suddenly I notice a huge rock, a boulder being pounded by the waves. Being completely engulfed in the water and then reappearing. </div>
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And almost instantaneously I feel calmer, and get this urgent feeling to go back to the car and get my camera. I wanted to document this conversation I was having with God.</div>
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He was trying to remind me that when I try to stand alone there is no solid foundation. But when I put all my trust in Him, he will take the brunt of all the waves that crash in. He will hold me steady when I cannot stand on my own. </div>
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{KK love}</div>
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The rest of the lyrics go like this . . . </div>
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Oh yes, I can make it now the pain is gone.</div>
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All of the bad feelings have disappeared.</div>
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Here is the rainbow I've been praying for,</div>
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It's gonna be a bright, bright, sunshine day.</div>
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I can see clearly now . . . . as long as I keep my eyes (and ears) wide open to what He is telling me. Life is, always will be, full of adversity. And there is hope in overcoming it when our feet are standing on a firm foundation, and when we also question all the happy moments that come our way!</div>
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. . . when we choose to see the rainbow, and not the clouds. </div>
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Love, Kim</div>
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sharing with <a href="http://kimklassen.com/tt-pink-pretty-still-features/" target="_blank">Texture Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/p52-sweet-shot-tuesday-week-06-4/" target="_blank">Sweet Shot Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=4176036962&group=0&frame_type=a&context=&context_ids=&blog=3794709&frame=1&click=0&user=0" target="_blank">Song-ography</a>, <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=4176888881&group=0&frame_type=a&context=&context_ids=&blog=4406941&frame=1&click=0&user=0" target="_blank">Roses of Inspiration</a></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-26562936576218285072015-02-05T03:00:00.000-06:002015-02-06T05:50:54.482-06:00Thursday's little things . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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"Let your life lightly dance on the edges</div>
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of time like dew on the tip of a leaf."</div>
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- Rabindranath Tagore</div>
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Several posts ago I talked about finding things that shimmer beneath</div>
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the surface, and well, on a foggy morning you won't need to go far.</div>
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One morning the fog was so thick you could see the droplets floating</div>
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in the air. So I grabbed my camera and headed over to the park. But the sun</div>
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had come out and it wasn't long before the fog lifted, and it didn't leave</div>
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until it left everything covered in dew.</div>
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As I entered the park there were a handful or two of deer grazing on the</div>
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grass from all the rain, and the younger ones were prancing around</div>
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playing tag.</div>
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I couldn't even get close to the taller waist high grasses because the fields were so soggy from</div>
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all the rain, and I was quickly sinking in mud. I'm adding mud boots to my wish list. And trust me,</div>
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I tried about all angles to get to that field...I could see the dew sparkling like diamonds, but it just wasn't going to happen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitovw0vqWGi2Q_Hu6bTtEeb85nkAwmAd_RfxVX1q5O4SMYsMJTOlA_lR3Q-umehxFPEEw0Ecwy3Vn8-YlCy3lmg4DN6asr8D1X3biQgMTK4BKazG8PpcKC-OrL4gMuob9u7j-hsaQIK2-2/s1600/DSC_8870resizeW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitovw0vqWGi2Q_Hu6bTtEeb85nkAwmAd_RfxVX1q5O4SMYsMJTOlA_lR3Q-umehxFPEEw0Ecwy3Vn8-YlCy3lmg4DN6asr8D1X3biQgMTK4BKazG8PpcKC-OrL4gMuob9u7j-hsaQIK2-2/s1600/DSC_8870resizeW.jpg" /></a></div>
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{Morning}</div>
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So I did the next best thing ...I laid down on the sidewalk to get a bugs eye view.</div>
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And then I was mesmerized by this tree and its shadow.</div>
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Spanish moss anyone? The trees in this park are covered by this moss, and it's quite the sight.</div>
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Oh, and I have to share these with you . . . I have always wanted to photograph some fire ants,</div>
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but getting close enough is always a problem. If they feel the slightest vibration they are coming out of the nest to investigate and protect it, so being near one in the grass is a really bad idea. </div>
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But we woke up one morning to find them building a nest at our back door stoop so I was able to lay down and watch them through my lens. Even though they pack a nasty sting they are fascinating to watch (yes, nerd alert!). Unfortunately, and even though I highly dislike chemicals, the bait we put on the nest is very localized. They take it back to the queen and when she dies, the mound dies. </div>
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Notice those pinchers, which they use to hold on to you while they sting you with their back end. And I just don't know how something as small as an 1/8" can pack so much pain!</div>
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Hope you have a great day, don't forget to notice the little things</div>
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Love, Kim</div>
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<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=4167619225&group=0&frame_type=a&context=&context_ids=&blog=5154027&frame=1&click=0&user=0" target="_blank">Little Things Thursday</a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2015/02/04/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-175/" target="_blank">Thursday Favorite Things</a>, <a href="http://pickingpoppies.blogspot.com/2015/02/thursdays-little-things.html" target="_blank">Friday Finds</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=4169479662&group=0&frame_type=b&context=blog_profile&context_ids=3623549&blog=3623549&frame=1&click=0&user=0" target="_blank">Project 52</a></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-22226350688179606072015-02-03T06:43:00.001-06:002015-02-03T08:55:23.520-06:00Flower therapy . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Flowers seem intended for the solace</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">of ordinary humanity."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>- John Ruskin</i></span></div>
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{both images edited with a subtle touch of KK avery}</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, flowers are always really good for therapy <i>and</i> they make great thank you's.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">My boy hit a rough patch last week, then so did I. So a trip to the grocery</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">store was in order and that's where I found these cute little wax flowers. I'</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ve </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">never seen them at our grocery story before so it was a nice surprise. And there was</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">enough in </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">that $3.99 bunch to fill at least 3 different containers. I also picked up</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">some extra ones for my neighbor. She helped tutor my son in pre-cal since</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">his teacher has been absent for nearly two weeks and there was a test coming</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">up. She just so happens to be a math teacher and pre-cal is her favorite. And since she</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">did it </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">for free, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I thought she could use some flowers too. So grateful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have a good one, </span></div>
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Love, Kim</div>
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P. S.- We have a new theme for the month over at <a href="http://focusingonlifegrp.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-little-word-fun.html#.VNDB9WjF_N0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Focusing on Life</span></a>, and</div>
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you will find me over there musing on some word art.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><a href="http://kimklassen.com/tt-pretty-pink-tulips/" target="_blank">Texture Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/p52-sweet-shot-tuesday-week-05-3/" target="_blank">Sweet Shot Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=4164428398&group=0&frame_type=b&context=blog_profile&context_ids=4406941&blog=4406941&frame=1&click=0&user=0" target="_blank">Roses of Inspiration</a></i></span></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-31665805680260989482015-01-27T12:46:00.002-06:002015-01-27T13:13:32.951-06:00When someone notices . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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"Well it's alright, doing the best you can"</div>
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-End of the Line (Traveling Wilburys)</div>
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Saturday we drove to see the college girl to help her out with a few things, we were gone all day. And by all day I mean we pulled into the driveway at midnight, barley awake.</div>
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Sunday morning, after a few errands, my husband went to the mailbox to get the mail. He said there were two postcards, one addressed to him and one to the football boy. Both written on the same kind of postcard.</div>
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The one for my husband was from our boy. A very sincere note about how he felt he was successful, always working hard, finding the good in our family . . . and how he has never felt denied of anything. Now you have to understand, there have been some really tough times in our family, like many families. And during those times its hard enough sometimes to get what you need let alone what you want. So it was very touching, and a tribute to the character of our boy ( to both our kids really ) to say that he has never felt denied, even when we could't give them some of things we thought they should have.</div>
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The one addressed to our son had this written on it:</div>
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"You have been through so many hard times in your life with your health and you never gave up. You kept going in your school grades and your activities. You never show you're hurt or sick, and you always keep going." Signed by a friend in his English class.</blockquote>
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In fact, this was an English assignment. To write to someone who you think fits R. W. Emerson's definition of success. Which is, "To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."</div>
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<i>(For those of you visiting for the first time or new followers, this <a href="http://pickingpoppies.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-journey-of-one-little-word.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">link</span></a> will help you understand better what his friend means by the hard times with his health)</i></div>
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His friend could have sent this to anyone...his parents, anyone. But, he chose to send it to my boy! And as his mom (as his parents) we know this, we see his humility and his kindness and his choice to be happy despite what life continues to throw at him. And it makes my heart happy that someone else noticed too. That he can know that while most people his age won't say it, they see him doing the best that he can. To know that he can be an example to others who are or may go through something really hard, that if you keep the right attitude, that if you make it a choice to be happy, that well, life will be alright when you're doing the best that you can.</div>
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Snail mail has nearly become something of the past these days, and reading these two postcards has reminded me to never underestimate the power of the written word or telling someone else just how much they have inspired you. </div>
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What a great English assignment....I have some postcards of my own to send! Because who wants to get to the end of the line and have any regrets. Either with what you didn't say or how you didn't live.</div>
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Love, Kim</div>
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<a href="http://kimklassen.com/tt-gerbera-love-pop-yellow/" target="_blank">Texture Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/p52-sweet-shot-tuesday-week-04-3/" target="_blank">Sweet Shot Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=4146146959&group=0&frame_type=a&context=&context_ids=&blog=3794709&frame=1&click=0&user=0" target="_blank">Song-ography</a>, <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=4148487629&group=0&frame_type=a&context=&context_ids=&blog=4406941&frame=1&click=0&user=0" target="_blank">Roses of Inspiration</a></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-85243972691765263412015-01-24T04:00:00.000-06:002015-01-25T04:05:24.766-06:00Grow Your Blog . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">. . . <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><i>it's another par-tay!</i></span></span></div>
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{A big shout out to Vicki at <a href="http://vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">2 Bags Full</span></a> for once again hosting the Grow Your Blog party!}</div>
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Welcome to my little space in the universe.</div>
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My name is Kim,</div>
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light seeker and finder of things,</div>
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of ordinary and beautiful.</div>
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I record moments through a box with a hole,</div>
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and thoughts through a pen.<br />
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I am a mom of two, a girl and a boy. One in college and the other soon to follow. A wife of 23 years this year, photographer, dreamer, mess maker. I love little adventures and exploring even if it's 5 feet from my front door. And, you could say I have a little nature nerd extraordinaire tucked into my soul.</div>
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Ever since I can remember I have loved creating in some form or fashion, and the need to express myself has appeared through the years in many forms. For me, creating, whether it be in photographs or jewelry or something else, allows me to express myself about the world around me, in ways that aren't always possible any other way. It's my way of working through life, its ups and downs . . . trying to find the beauty in the process through my lens and on paper, and moving from moment to moment.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And, this is me, looking through my milkweed at caterpillars, monarch babies. No, I don't normally take photos of myself, in fact I avoid it at all cost, but this was for "a quirky selfie" prompt (full blog post <a href="http://pickingpoppies.blogspot.com/2014/04/a-quirky-selfie.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">here</span></a>).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I guess it was only fitting since I started raising monarch butterflies 2 years ago this coming March. Yep, my family has graciously </span><strike style="font-family: inherit;">they had no choice in the matter</strike><span style="font-family: inherit;"> let me take over the dining room table, and sometimes parts of the kitchen, with caterpillar tents and related items. So far to date, I've raised and released over 1000 monarch butterflies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I started a blog series about my journey with the monarchs, and unfortunately got a little derailed this summer. But I'm working on finishing the rest to be ready for spring. You can find the first of three so far <a href="http://pickingpoppies.blogspot.com/2014/04/for-love-of.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">here</span></a>, and each one directs you to the next post.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiG-GJ03XnpYGIyC3Sg-dErloSWDKZ92Ova-iallTw2pxTd_xJSgcO_NKuP3QR7TMTLGCABbB8L8iFpB-hPvyRZL3tGz-55r59N5Li4DyOwcOrb9KXjk6chyOUkOhdJh7SOFWuDV3wZ8U/s1600/DSC_9742resize-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiG-GJ03XnpYGIyC3Sg-dErloSWDKZ92Ova-iallTw2pxTd_xJSgcO_NKuP3QR7TMTLGCABbB8L8iFpB-hPvyRZL3tGz-55r59N5Li4DyOwcOrb9KXjk6chyOUkOhdJh7SOFWuDV3wZ8U/s1600/DSC_9742resize-001.jpg" /></a></div>
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And when I'm not knee deep in caterpillar poo, I'm at the beach exploring . . . our 30 minutes away from an hour vacation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kTwDTohdHLSTK-fa_RAw56i4B-MDJf4PFRQi_1_sh4j7S2PjPXAfjLzAQdA3QvThYyZ7GaXKunvxDNrtRBidlzVpWUBbqCRxancPKOQkAA2Hk2hyCmXc1PL5hlT4wV1opTsRvjn3qErY/s1600/DSC_8102resizeW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8kTwDTohdHLSTK-fa_RAw56i4B-MDJf4PFRQi_1_sh4j7S2PjPXAfjLzAQdA3QvThYyZ7GaXKunvxDNrtRBidlzVpWUBbqCRxancPKOQkAA2Hk2hyCmXc1PL5hlT4wV1opTsRvjn3qErY/s1600/DSC_8102resizeW.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Or watching the sunrise . . . one of my very favorite things to do in the world.</span><br />
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You can also find me every other Tuesday, sharing about life and photography on my collaborative blog called <a href="http://focusingonlifegrp.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Focusing on Life</span></a>, with 9 other women. I'm looking forward to connecting with other creatives in sharing this journey thing we call life.<br />
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Have a wonderful day, and thank you for stopping in!<br />
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Love, Kim<br />
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-83632639409024865232015-01-20T03:00:00.001-06:002015-01-24T01:58:13.441-06:00Dream-ography<div style="text-align: center;">
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"You may say I'm a dreamer</div>
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But I'm not the only one"</div>
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- John Lennon (Imagine)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4W0UOPpIojFkJRudNrQwuc4zbOOCbl4tNYgvfFuIiNrOFx7G7dwdKv-U-2sOtCIVqCikxMqNhL5GKn2VbbYINyVQ3Zb2X709CT0rwMpcv8H1PQPUtJjRjP1XdMmvn5qYyH7D0Qqv5ku9/s1600/DSC_8581copy2resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4W0UOPpIojFkJRudNrQwuc4zbOOCbl4tNYgvfFuIiNrOFx7G7dwdKv-U-2sOtCIVqCikxMqNhL5GKn2VbbYINyVQ3Zb2X709CT0rwMpcv8H1PQPUtJjRjP1XdMmvn5qYyH7D0Qqv5ku9/s1600/DSC_8581copy2resize.jpg" /></a></div>
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{KK-dream)</div>
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I was going to finish a post that I started many, many months ago, that would have tied in so well with this weeks song-ography and MLK day.</div>
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But, I must have been dreaming...</div>
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Or I may have just run out of time. My girl was sick all last week, and we took her back to school this weekend after a very nice long break.</div>
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This is the time of year, with bare branches, and minimal landscapes that I crave the dreamy effects of abstract photographs. This was a new spot I found by my house the other night, on my way home from an epic day with my camera. From sun up, to literally sun down . . . I was gone for over 12 hours! It felt so good to see the sun.</div>
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It won't be long before we start getting leaves budding out on the trees, which means it will be harder to get this kind of dreamy abstract. I'll have to start dreaming of something else . . . </div>
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. . . but I'm probably not the only one.</div>
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And, just for the record . . . I do imagine all the people sharing all the world, with no need for greed or hunger, a brotherhood of man.</div>
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Some say I'm just a dreamer ...</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Optimist: day dreamer more elegantly spelled."</span> <i>- Mark Twain</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm over at <a href="http://focusingonlifegrp.blogspot.com/2015/01/star-light-star-bright.html#.VL4ZUkfF_N0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Focusing on life</span></a> today, sharing some night photography experiments, and how I did them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's our theme for the month, come check it out - it was fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy Tuesday friends,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Love, Kim</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Sharing with <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=4108706179&group=0&frame_type=b&context=blog_profile&context_ids=12821169&blog=12821169&frame=1&click=0&user=0" target="_blank">Texture Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://youllshootyoureyeout-kathy.blogspot.com/2015/01/song-ography-imagine-edition.html" target="_blank">Song-ography</a>, <a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/p52-sweet-shot-tuesday-week-03-3/" target="_blank">Sweet Shot Tuesday</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/2885411/?claim=3yjtyweda5d">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-23860434799790482532015-01-15T12:15:00.000-06:002015-01-16T06:15:12.747-06:00There is always something shining, somewhere . . . .<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"What is joy if it goes unrecorded,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and what is love if it is not shared."</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">- Jenny Lee (from 'Call The Midwife')</span></i></div>
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It's been incredibly gloomy and cold and rainy and did I mention grey?</div>
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The sun has not been seen since, well, last year. It's so dark in the house</div>
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that I need the lights on to see (or see better), and I'm just not inspired to</div>
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take pictures inside my house. My heart and soul {and camera} are drawn</div>
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to the outdoors, to nature. THAT, is where I find my shiny things.</div>
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So, I thought I would share some photos from November that I haven't had</div>
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a chance to share, a walk on the birding trail and my special spot. And that reminded</div>
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me of something that I wrote down, which prompted me to find the transcript and</div>
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I'm somewhat getting ahead of myself here, so . . . I'll just start over.</div>
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I was driving in the car one day and listening to NPR on the radio.</div>
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It was November 26, 2014 to be exact.</div>
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I was listening to the program {On Being} and they were talking</div>
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with folk singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer and the topic was - A</div>
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Conversation with Music.</div>
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I was quite drawn to this interview, her voice was so calm and soothing and so gentle.</div>
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And she comes from a Quaker background, and although I am not I have a very strong</div>
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ancestral Quaker background.</div>
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Anyway, during the interview I was just reminded about how no matter the medium,</div>
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or the artist, or the art, that we all come to it from such a similar place, the heart.</div>
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We are all just standing in a different place, a different time, and with a different perspective.</div>
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And that is what is so great about art, and life . . . it's different and unique and when</div>
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authentic to our own voice, very individualistic. It's also why we have so much to </div>
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learn from one another.</div>
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<i>"Music approaches the sacred through the wordless avenues of the heart." - Carrie Newcomer</i></div>
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Yep, I think that's where most art enters, only through different senses.</div>
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She talked about how as a teenager she fell in love with the singing poets.</div>
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{entering my secret place, with shiny things}</div>
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I understood this. I've fallen in love with the storytellers that use images.</div>
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She talked about the idea of being in a spiritual practice and those of us who create art, who record moments in time, of life and death, of joy and sorrow, and of just being present . . . we understand this all too well.</div>
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I understand that deep spiritual connection of being in that moment where time stands still, where it's just you and that moment. Where nothing else in the world exists but awe and wonder, and humility.</div>
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And she talked about the idea that there is something shining in the world. That just below the surface of things there is something shining, always. And I shake my head yes, and sigh.</div>
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There is magic and light, and life below the surface of everything, and everyone.<br />
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We just have to ask ourselves the question - Did I look hard enough?</div>
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Am I present, am I willing to show up?</div>
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Am I willing to share it? To find what's hidden and reveal it. The joy, the sorrow, the vulnerability.</div>
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The light in the shadows. The shadows caused by the light. One is not without the other.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes there is always something shining, somewhere. We just have to reach for it beyond the surface. Be willing to dig a little deeper, stay a little longer. Sometimes it requires walking in a circle to see it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To simply record the joy we see, and share it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The podcast in its entirety can be found <a href="http://www.onbeing.org/program/transcript/7053" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">here</span></a>. So much good stuff, I hope you will check it out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And although I wouldn't say it's music I'm usually drawn to, there is something so wonderful about</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">her lyrics, so full of real life stuff.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This one from the podcast was my favorite, find it on you tube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P4zi8ljf8A" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">here</span></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Have a wonderful day...I hope you find something shiny!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Love, Kim</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">sharing with <a href="http://littlebylittleblog.com/little-things-thursday-77/" target="_blank">Little Things Thursday</a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2015/01/14/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-172/" target="_blank">Thursday Favorite Things</a>, <a href="http://kimklassen.com/ff-still-student-art-celebration/#comment-17682" target="_blank">Friday Finds</a></span></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-77385962660471357842015-01-09T10:43:00.002-06:002015-01-09T10:43:20.726-06:00You don't have to go far . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">to find . . . </span></div>
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Inspiration</div>
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something to quiet the mind</div>
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things that are ordinary</div>
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and beautiful</div>
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things right outside your front door</div>
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bubbles and reflections in a water fountain</div>
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flowers and petals that have dropped to the ground</div>
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a fern growing in between timbers used at a table at my nursery without dirt</div>
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water drops hanging on to the dried pine that dropped from the trees</div>
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beautiful, simple things</div>
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that remind you that there is so much to see</div>
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when we really look</div>
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things that make you slow down</div>
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take notice</div>
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and give thanks for right here, and now</div>
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[p.s. can I ask a favor? my boy has some blood work next week at his infusion. his</div>
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red blood cell count has been elevated and it needs to come down or he may have</div>
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to have some more extensive tests. Will you pray with us that it goes down to normal? xo]</div>
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Have a wonderful weekend, and stay warm!</div>
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Love, Kim</div>
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sharing with <a href="http://kimklassen.com/ff-inspiring-cookbook/" target="_blank">Friday Finds</a>, <a href="http://littlebylittleblog.com/little-things-thursday-76/" target="_blank">Little Things Thursday</a></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-13595410988504235052015-01-06T02:16:00.001-06:002015-01-06T02:33:26.639-06:00What's the word?<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Last year what I wanted, was to be more <i>intentional</i> in my photography, and in my writing more </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and in letting my passions drive more of my actions. More intentional about my time, </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and in trying new things, and just with life in general. I wanted to be more intentional </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">about the things</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> that are important to me, and yet I wanted to keep it as simple as possible.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">And how did that work out?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, if I were a glass half empty kinda gal, and broke all those things down, I would have to say . . . maybe not so great.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But I'm not, so I won't go there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What I can tell you is that in life in general, intention worked out pretty good. I can say that I learned some new things, like journal making, and I shared my passion of taking football pictures from the sidelines on a </span>Facebook<span style="font-family: inherit;"> page for the players and parents. And with roughly 60 hours logged in of shooting said football this past fall I might have even improved just a bit. I kept true to the things that were most important to me, which included my part in the conservation of the monarch butterfly by becoming an official Monarch Waystation and the release of another 600 butterflies raised in my dining room . But the biggest intention of all was the time I took away from here to rest my soul. And it was hard because it's not what I had intended to do with my time, and it sure didn't help with my intention of writing more.</span></div>
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But sometimes you just have to give yourself permission to rest even when the trade offs are high. Because, sometimes when you chose not to, the trade offs can be even higher. And when you have a child with a chronic illness you can't afford to not be intentional with yourself . . . it's the only way you can ride the changing tide.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>{KK waterfront magic}</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Speak louder than the words before you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And give them meaning no one else has found</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The role we play is so important</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We are the voices of the underground"</span></div>
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by A Great Big World, (This Is The New Year)</div>
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During much of this quiet time, though, it's been harder to quiet the noise speaking in my head and heart. The one that says... I feel like there is something else I should be doing, something deeper below the surface of safe. I've felt this way for awhile and I don't mean instead of being here.<br />
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The thing is I'm not really sure what it is and if I've learned one thing about myself it's that I'm not afraid of not doing something right, just of not being prepared enough to start. Does that make any sense?<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This years word, unlike past words, didn't come as freely. I knew what I wanted it to feel like, but couldn't quite grasp it. And then, while standing in the kitchen one day last week, it came to me like a lightning bolt. Poof, there it was, my word and one that for me feels interactive, one that holds possibilities.</span><br />
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;">[Reach] - </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">t</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">o stretch or hold out, extend. To get to, or arrive at, or amount to. To establish communication with.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">to reach and be reached</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">to find solutions</span><br />
to reach for answers and ask more questions<br />
to find the courage to reach for my turn, to reach for yes<br />
to simply reach for what's hidden . . . then reveal it, and give it meaning<br />
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There is no guarantee that by the act of reaching that anyone will reach back, or that there is even something on the other side. No guarantee that there is an answer to a question or a solution to a problem, and I'm going to reach anyway.<br />
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I want to take the chance, to leap without fear, into the unknown, over mud puddles while reaching for the other side.<br />
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I want to reach for the stars and touch everything in between.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"When you reach for the stars, you are reaching for the</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">farthest thing out there. When you reach deep into yourself,</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">it is the same thing, but in the opposite direction. If you</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><div style="text-align: left;">
reach in both directions, you will have spanned the universe."</div>
</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<i>- Vera Nazarian</i></div>
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P.S.- I would like to invite you to join me over at <a href="http://focusingonlifegrp.blogspot.com/2015/01/a-new-beginning.html#.VKudlCvF_N0" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Focusing on Life</span></a> today (new month, new theme) where I'm sharing thoughts on time, A Tall Ship and new beginnings.<br />
<br />
Love, Kim<br />
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<br />
Sharing with <a href="http://kimklassen.com/tt-singe-rose-still-life/" target="_blank">Texture Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://youllshootyoureyeout-kathy.blogspot.com/2015/01/song-ography-this-is-new-year-edition.html" target="_blank">Song-ography</a></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-39924430691193076972014-12-23T00:26:00.000-06:002014-12-23T14:50:29.287-06:00Just Believe . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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Believe in what your heart is saying,</div>
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Hear the melody that's playing . . . </div>
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<i>{KK magic0916}</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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. . . You have everything you need,</div>
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If you just believe.</div>
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"Believe" - Josh Groban from <i>Polar Express</i></div>
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I might have been a little weak when I spied this cute cup, especially with this</div>
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sweet little bell tied to it. It reminded me immediately of the Polar Express, and the magic</div>
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of the season, A reminder that when we keep our child-like qualities as we get older, we </div>
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are better able to "hear" the true spirit of Christmas.</div>
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The real reason for the season.</div>
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I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays</div>
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in whatever way you celebrate this week!!</div>
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I'm also over at Focusing on life, and as we wrap up our monthly theme</div>
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of seasonal light, I'm sharing my <a href="http://focusingonlifegrp.blogspot.com/2014/12/from-single-candle.html#.VJnVVV4Ak" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">interpretational photo</span></a> and accompanying quote.</div>
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Short and sweet - pop over - won't you.</div>
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Love, Kim</div>
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sharing with <a href="http://kimklassen.com/texture-tuesday-faffing-or-wrapping-edition/" target="_blank">Texture Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/p52-sweet-shot-tuesday-week-52-2/" target="_blank">Sweet Shot Tuesday</a>, <a href="http://youllshootyoureyeout-kathy.blogspot.com/2014/12/song-ography-any-holiday-song-edition_22.html" target="_blank">Song-ography</a></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5259467686458690615.post-92105989234055681502014-12-18T03:04:00.002-06:002014-12-18T03:10:05.243-06:00The Queen's Parade . . . <div style="text-align: center;">
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"I will honor Christmas in my heart,</div>
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and try to keep it all the year."</div>
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- Charles Dickens</div>
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On Tuesday I shared some general photos from the <a href="http://pickingpoppies.blogspot.com/2014/12/a-victorian-christmas-stroll.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Dickens on the Strand</span></a> in Galveston,</div>
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a yearly tradition with this being our 4th in attendance.<br />
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Today...the Queen's Parade.</div>
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We found a spot a waited and for the parade to start, but as our luck would have it</div>
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a crowd formed right in our viewing path. So, I crossed the street to get a better position</div>
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where there weren't many people, just to have another person with two cameras dart in front </div>
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of me more times than I would like to say. Father Christmas, missed it. The queen in her</div>
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carriage, yep, missed it.</div>
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Then at the end of the parade when the Texas snow came down (aka dish soap bubbles)</div>
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my camera malfunctioned and I missed that too.</div>
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But, I did manage to have really good timing on one of them . . . </div>
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THIS ONE! . . . Sometimes the timing God's are on your side.</div>
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The Battle of Galveston reenactment crew - coming up next month.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcH6HA4iAIiNXhr_DvAoc3BUaO8d8kwd37I7mtk8WlfXkhd7dSXnmPJWob35yzM6k0R4YBxE4CWfEWR9IKhBC296Ys2JGe83BWYEn41nP1MR7cd533NkcpR5ywITy29Wtq1a3ek0s9IyW/s1600/DSC_5858resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzcH6HA4iAIiNXhr_DvAoc3BUaO8d8kwd37I7mtk8WlfXkhd7dSXnmPJWob35yzM6k0R4YBxE4CWfEWR9IKhBC296Ys2JGe83BWYEn41nP1MR7cd533NkcpR5ywITy29Wtq1a3ek0s9IyW/s1600/DSC_5858resize.jpg" /></a></div>
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And, this is what a whole lot of my shots looked like...someone always stepping in my way, oh well!</div>
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We were lucky to make it several blocks to the very end of the "bed races" after trying to figure</div>
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out how to get my camera working again. This was one of those 'one shot' deals before I almost got run over by a <strike>reindeer</strike> bed! lol</div>
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Always such a good time, although there was no 'real' snow machine this year for the kids</div>
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to throw snowballs, and the elephants were missing? One year one of the elephants managed to try and steal the glasses right off my face. Just in case you were wondering, elephant spit doesn't</div>
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smell so good! ;)</div>
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sharing with <a href="http://littlebylittleblog.com/little-things-thursday-75/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Little Things Thursday</span></a>, <a href="http://katherinescorner.com/2014/12/17/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-169/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Thursday Favorite Things</span></a></div>
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Kim Stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16765296400379609580noreply@blogger.com17