Any Guesses?

Today’s photo is up for you to guess what it is.  The only hint I’m providing is that lots of people who live in the desert have one of these.  Good luck!  If you care to register your guess you are most welcome to in the “I’d Love to Hear From You” box below.  Namaste’

Yesterday was Green but Today is Glam-Wow!

When it comes to getting a manicure, I’m right up there with the girly-girls.  I hate doing my own nails.  It’s such a hassle and I’m just not that good at it.  Besides, it’s one of the best ways for a lady to get some pampering and “me” time.

The problem is in the choosing of what color we’ll wear.  Unless it’s a French manicure, you have to choose your color when you walk into the salon, right?  Good luck with that.  I mean really … look at all the choices here.  There’s not just one or two reds or a few mauves or maybe even a few blues, there’s a zillion!  Well, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration. LOL!

It’s funny; the older I get the more I want to try out the new wilder colors.  Maybe next time I’ll go for neon green or hot turquoise blue and then again … maybe not 😉  I used a bit of a cartoon effect on this today just for the fun of it.

Namaste’ and may your choices all be phenomenal!!

Filled With Glory

LOOK AT EVERYTHING AS IF YOU WERE SEEING IT FOR THE FIRST OR LAST TIME. THEN YOUR TIME ON EARTH WILL BE FILLED WITH GLORY~ Betty Smith

What would change in your life if you looked at things as if seeing them for the very first time?  Or what if you looked at them as if it were the last time?  We never know what’s going to happen in the next minute, let alone tomorrow.  Lately I’ve been more aware of my surroundings, the things I see, and wondering why I hadn’t noticed certain things before.  Have they been there all the time and I just didn’t notice?  Or is our planet changing and I’m just noticing THAT now?  I feel like a kid in a candy store.  Really!

Today’s photo was taken as I was heading out this morning.  The cloud caught my eye because it was so intriguing as I faced it head on, driving down the road and it was the only one I could see.  I found myself thinking, “Either pull over and take the picture or keep your eyes on the road.”  As soon as I got to a place I could pull over, this is what I got.  Namaste’

Our Four Asses

No, it’s not four Aces (but wouldn’t THAT be fun in Texas Hold ‘Em?)  It really is four asses.  Our metal asses to be precise.  I took this photo of a key rack that we keep by the back door.  Sure makes it handy to know where the keys are and the donkeys keep a good eye on them for us.

I’ve always loved donkeys.  I think they’re marvelous creatures and would like to have some for real one day.  Have you ever wondered why donkeys are called asses?  I follow a wonderful blog that is all about these hard-working creatures and I’ve learned so much.  Please visit Melody’s site when you have some time.  The Donkey Whisperer.  She is a wonderful human being.  Namaste’

I used a bounce flash with some fill-in light to bring out some of the details 

Runnin’ On Empty?

Just as I pulled into a parking lot today, I was thinking I needed something to recharge my batteries.  And what did I see but this truck!  I have to admit that I have never tried this kind of energy drink.  Coffee is my kicker of choice, but I loved the paint job of neon green and black.  Maybe that was a signal that I should try monster energy the next time I need a lift.  But just the name kind of freaks me out.

Let me know if you’ve tried it and what you think.  NOTE:  be sure to UNCHECK the “notify me of follow- up comments via email box below until WordPress changes this default setting … Thanks!

Namaste’

 

Fancy Feet

I did a little shopping with a couple of friends today and we had a great time.  Why is it that most women gravitate to the shoe department first?  Unless I’m on a specific mission to buy something else, it’s where I always start out.

I love black and white and I love shoes.  I probably wouldn’t buy these flip-flops but they were fun to photograph.  How about you, ladies … do you like flip-flops?  Or do they hurt in between your toes?  Namaste’

The Heart on Fire Award

I have been terribly behind on the awards that my blogger friends have kindly bestowed upon me, so today is the day I begin to catch up.

Thanks to Jeremy for the Heart on Fire Award.  Please visit Jeremy’s blog if you haven’t already.  His photos and descriptions are uniquely inspiring and creative.  To keep this award, I have to share seven facts about myself:

  1. Reading and writing have both been my life-long passions, whether it’s a hard-bound book, a paper-back, reading/writing an article or blog, or reading a book on my Kindle Fire. Thanks to my WS (wonderful spouse) for that beautiful Christmas present.
  2. I worked in the staffing industry for 25 years – started out by being a temp.
  3. I co-authored a book with my WS about how to find a job using staffing services.
  4. I’m a huge fan of Neale Donald Walsh – having read every single Conversations with God book in his series.
  5. I am proud to be “owned” by two wonderful mutts, Foxy and Daisy.
  6. Being a believer that humans simply can’t be the only forms of intelligent life in our universe, I’m a student of anything that points to the truth of that.
  7. Taking pictures has always been a thrill for me and this is the time in my life that it has evolved into a passion.
  8. My uncle taught me the most about taking good photographs with my very first SLR camera, a Pentax K1000.  It was a completely manual film camera which I took on a trip with him, my mom and my kids back in the 70’s.  At one point we were so engrossed in photographing the indoor pool at Hearst Castle that the tour bus almost left without us 🙂  And he held onto my legs while I leaned over a cliff at Big Sur to get just the right shot of the pounding surf at sunset.

OK, you got an extra tidbit thrown in for good measure.  And now I’d like to recommend some blogs for this award (in no particular order).  Please take a look yourself.  They’re pretty cool.  Note to nominees:  don’t feel bad if you don’t have the time to go through the procedure for this award.  Just know that I think highly of your blogs.

Today’s photo is of my favorite mesquite tree, backlit by the sun, illuminating part of the Tortolita Mountains.  Click to enlarge. Namaste’

Stay Thirsty

Maya Angelou is one of my very favorite authors.  She said, “When you learn, teach.  When you get, give.”  I believe she’s right.  I, for one, am learning more than I ever imagined from my fellow bloggers.  Some teach me new recipes, some new photo techniques, and some teach special lessons for living that always seem to “show up” when I need them most.  Maybe I need to give more attention to sharing what I know to be true.  I will endeavor to do that, starting right now.  One of the things I practice daily is Ho’oponopono. If any of you are already practicing it, be sure to let me know in the comments.  I’d love to hear from you!

Today’s photo reminds us to stay thirsty for knowledge.  But remember to stay physically hydrated, too 🙂  Namaste’

Bus Stop

Today’s photos came from a bus stop that I passed and had never really noticed before.  It was so interesting once I got closer and really looked at it.  It tells the story of our summer monsoon season, which normally begins in early July.  We get afternoon thunderstorms that sometimes last well into the evening.  Lots of crazy lightning and thunder and torrential rains at times.  By the time the season rolls around, we’re all so excited because June is normally 100 degrees or above every day and we’re praying for rain.  (Note to Self:  Go somewhere cool this summer).

Click images to enlarge.  Namaste’

The blue mosaic tiles show the water flow:

The close-up here is of the “windows” showing the old adobe homes backed up against the mountains:

This one depicts the lightning strikes, the rain, and the stars, including a falling star on the right:

Some Days There are Shadows

I woke up this morning feeling like a truck hit me.  I realized that I could hardly swallow even before my feet hit the floor.  While letting the dogs out, I noticed the shadow of our giant backyard saguaro and got my camera.  This is about as creative as it gets today.

As it turns out, after a visit to the clinic, I have pharyngitis, but I’m really grateful it’s not Strep.  With some bed rest, plenty of liquids, ibuprofen and some honey, I should be just fine and ready for tomorrow. I just don’t like being sick; it truly annoys me.  I don’t have time for this. Namaste’

Shadow of the Sentinel