Night Beauty

Have you noticed, when taking photos of flowers in the dark of night, the vivid colors seem to pop right out against the black sky? This is my favorite time to grab my camera and head outside.

So take your camera for a walk tonight, and see what beauty is in your yard! Then show us your pictures ok? I'd love to see them!

Port Huron Lip Dub

For the past 5 months, I've been on the planning committee for our city Lip Dub. What is a Lip Dub? According to Wikipedia: A lip dub is a type of video that combines lip synching and audio dubbing to make a music video. It is made by filming individuals or a group of people lip synching while listening to a song or any recorded audio then dubbing over it in post editing with the original audio of the song.
This lip dub was made to promote the city of Port Huron. We used the songs, "America" by Neil Diamond, and "Summer in the City" by Lovin' Spoonful. The first part, "America" was filmed along the St. Clair river front. The International Bridge to Canada provided the perfect back drop. This picture, by our videotographer, Scott Bert, shows just a portion of the parkway and participants. There were over 50 groups participating, some being March of Dimes, Parrot Heads, dog walkers, a senior clog group, Red Hats, classic cars, and jeeps just to name a few.

The Red Hat Ladies rode on the party boat, displaying their purple dresses and red hats. What a hoot!

My sister Kathy and I were in with the dog walkers, me with Chip, and her with her cock-a-poo Paddy. You can see my hubby Ken in the window, taking the picture.

Pine River Stables brought this horse painted in the American flag! This photo was taken by committee member Rob Richards.

A boat regalia passed on the river, adding to the water life. Picture by Scott Bert.

The finale was held at Vantage Point, a popular area for viewing river activity. Here, people lined the property and the rocks, waving hundreds of American flags. Photo by Dale Merrill.

The turnout was incredible! This photo was also taken by Rob Richards, the following was taken by Mark Rucker.

The lip dub will be shown on You Tube in about 2 weeks. I can't wait to see the completed project, and will share the link as soon as we get it! In the mean time, you can go on You Tube, search lip dubs and see what other communities have done. Then maybe you'll want to find some interested parties in your home town, and join the fun!!

Lazy Days of Summer

My cats reflect how I feel in this heat. Just laze around in the cool, and don't move!

Mitzi sleeps in her basket,

and Toby sleeps in his.

Andy amazes me with his balance, sitting on the skinny arm of the rocking chair!

Just give Tyler a box anywhere, and he's totally content.
Me, the recliner. In between household chores, that's where you'll find me!
How are you dealing with this unusually hot summer?

House and Yard Keeping

Last year, was difficult for working in the flower beds. A step outside the door meant being swarmed by mosquitoes. My gardens suffered for it. This year though, has been quite the opposite.

Though we aren't rich by any means, we like our little home. A small cape cod was built in 97. This spring we replaced our worn out white shutters with the burgundy, which cozied up the front of the house. Pulling out all the weeds, planting new flowers, adding little touches and wood chips seemed to bring our home back to life.

I put the arbor back up, added two old pieces of fencing, and planted morning glories.

and this morning, my first flower bloomed!

A small section of my garden is shown here, that little resin angel has seen better days, as I bought her several years ago. I just can't take her out of there though!

Praise God!!

My heart is singing right now!! After 5 years of battling cancer, Deena is finally healed! Deena has been through so much, and to hear she is fine just fills me with such joy. Congratulations Dear Soul, it's awesome to have you back!!
Please visit Deena, she will amaze you!

Reflecting

When my parents lived in our family home, they had a wooden swing that overlooked Dad's gardens. You would frequently find my parents sitting there, coffee in one hand, and Dad's free arm around my mother. They'd sit and discuss the days events, or sit quietly as they watched the garden grow.

Dad is gone now, and when Mom moved, the swing was placed in our yard. It sits under the shade of the pines, overlooking the property. In the morning hours, I love to sit here and listen to the sounds of nature as the day begins, and in the evening, those sounds fill me with the peace I need before turning in for the night.

In my little nook, I also have my grandmother's rocker, and an Adirondack chair that my husband Ken made for me. Three generations represented, each an important part of what makes up my life.

To sit on the swing, surrounded by memories of those I love, and occasionally with Ken beside me, fills my spirit. I feel the presence of both my father and Grandmother here, and often draw strength from their souls.
Is there a special place you go to meditate, reflect, read a book, or just to sit in the quiet?

My Prayer Altar.

In my home, is a special place to me. It's my prayer altar. On this altar are pictures of my little family and I, and a family picture taken on our last day on the porch of our childhood home. Prayers are said for all the individuals in these pictures. The votive candle, in a heart shaped glass holder, is lit each morning before I start my prayers. Hanging on the frame of my son's family is a necklace that contains a mustard seed, with the verse Matthew 17:20, "...if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'move to yonder place and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you'." One was given to all us sisters, by my sister Kathy, as unity in our prayers. I need to get a longer chain, for now it hangs as a reminder on my altar. The little tablet is my prayer booklet, with the names of others who are in need of prayer. Some of these names are of from any of you who have requested prayers for yourselves or loved ones, little Zavier, pictured on the side, is also in here
I find this altar to be an important part of my daily life. Even though I pray throughout the day, and when the need strikes me wherever I am, my morning prayer ritual keeps me grounded in my faith. Do you have an altar or special place to say your prayers?