Photo Fun

Thanks to The Pioneer Woman, I have been getting more creative with photo editing.  I recently purchased Photo Shop Elements, but have not been able to load it onto my retarded, decade-old computer, so all of my editing has been done on the decade-old Microsoft Picture It.  I guess it's just as well since I still am overwhelmed with our Photo Shop Elements at work.

She has a flower photo assignment right now, so I went to the archives for photos to edit.

Looky what I did...

Before Edit

After Edit

Before Edit

After

Before Edit

After Edit

Photography is so much fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And I'm just beginning. 

S is for...

Saxophone. My oldest son is entering middle school this year. Music is required for the students (YES!), so he needed to decide where his interests lie. He tried cello and viola and trumpet, sax and clarinet and decided unequivocally that the saxophone was his instrument. He really is very much like his Dad, so I was not surprised, considering that was his instrument of choice as well.

In fact, our son will be playing that very same sax. It was in our basement for around twenty "ahem" years, so it smelled like mildew and mold and ick. The music shop is pretty much taking it apart and scouring it with Comet, so the instrument in this picture is our "Sub" sax, as my son has affectionately named him.

S is for Shaylee. My baby!!!!!! Wanna see how gorgeous this baby is?

S is for Sherri. I miss you sis! Eight-plus years without her. It still hasn't sunk in.

S is for Simple. Come on people! Let's not complicate things. Keep it simple. I'm a simple girl.

S is for Sunflower. I've seen some tall and beautiful ones in my days. This one was in my back yard several years back. It was supposed to be 4-6 feet tall. Hmmph. Sassy sunflower.

S is for Spaghetti, which is on the stove, so I better go.

S is the first letter in my last name and a simply, sumptuous sounding letter... sssssssssssssss... S.

P is for Posey

P is for Posey

A posey is a small, hand-held bouquet popular in mid- 19th-century Victorian England as an accessory carried by fashionable ladies. Composed of mixed flowers and herbs and edged with a paper frill or greens, the arrangement was sometimes inserted into a silver filigree holder. When supplied by an admirer, a nosegay became a vehicle for the floral "language of love"-e.g., a red tulip was a declaration of love; a sprig of dogwood returned by the young lady was a sign of indifference; a variegated pink meant that she rejected her suitor's affection. This variety of bouquet has enjoyed periodic revivals.

Source: Dictionary.com

Wow! I thought a posey was a type of flower. Instead it is the amazing social tradition. Reading about it just makes me want to put on a floor-length dress, put my hair up, and head off to the neighborhood ball. (I like to imagine that all 19th century neighborhoods included a mansion of generous and gorgeous young brother and their parents all searching their own party for the love of their lives.)

It seems like no one would ever use a posey again to signal their level of interest in an admirer. Wouldn't it be easier to send a text? But where is the romance in that?

I beckon you all to host a neighborhood ball, having all men send a posey to the woman/girl they admire. Then the women get to insert their "signal" flower. How fantastic, whimsical and wonderful is that?

Wishing you a happy gala!

May Baskets - The Joy of Giving

I was reminded recently of the tradition of leaving May Baskets on someone's doorstep on May 1st. Beautiful spring flowers, maybe with a sweet treat, left anonymously. No glory, no thanks, just the joy of giving.

It's a shame that so many traditions like this have fallen to the wayside. I'm not going to preach about how busy we are on the internet, emailing, on the phone, texting, working, running to and fro. But, I wish our society wasn't on the track of getting more and more self-absorbed and used to the short-cuts of life that technology provides.

I applaud my sisters for continuing to send hand written notes and cards through the mail. Those touch my heart in ways that texts and emails never seem to be able to do. And I know a basket left on my door would warm my soul in the same way.

I think May Baskets are in my family's future. I'd like to create and deliver some with my children. (Try this link for May Basket ideas for kids.) Perhaps a few of us can keep the beautiful, selfless, giving traditions alive.

Nice Try Mr. Snow Miser

The kids' Easter Break from school commenced with them playing in the yard with shorts and t-shirts for hours on end. They were basking in Spring! In that moment, everything was right in the world.

Then, only a few days later, they were peering out there bedroom windows during a late evening rain and hail storm. The lightning was a bit nerve-wracking for the younger boys. We left the three of them together for a bonding experience when... Stomp, Stomp, Stomp, they ran to the top of the stairs. "Mom! Dad! Frank still has a snowman in his front yard. We see it every day. It's in the street!"

This wouldn't have been a big deal if he lived next door. But, Frank lives two houses down, and around the corner. I ran out in the pelting rain to rescue four-foot-tall, plastic "Frosty" from what clearly a fierce battle between impending Spring and lingering, obstinate Winter.

Then early this morning, it snowed. GASP! It's Easter Break! No snow allowed! I truly expected the snow to stop at day break, but it continued through the morning.

I've been observing the contrast all morning. Daffodils are in full bloom. The grass is green and ready for its inaugural mowing. The falling snow is thick and desperately trying to disguise Spring, if only for a moment, its last hurrah. I'm sorry to say, Mr. Snow Miser, you are failing.

The tree buds and flowers and rejuvenated lush, green grass are full of the heat of the approaching summer. The snow succumbs on contact and melts into the thirsty earth. More nourishment for the burgeoning growth.

The victory of Spring is invigorating. Nice try Mr. Snow Miser..... Fail!

Spring...

My mind is racing with all the things I want to accomplish. Spring invigorates me and motivates me.

Yesterday I took down our Christmas lights that I couldn't get to until the massive snow drift melted. My husband swears it will snow again. I say, "Blasphemy!"

I cleaned up some remaining fall leaves and found all my tulips are poking through the dirt. Flowers are coming!!!!! Actually I already have some snowdrop bulbs in full bloom. They started in February. Thank you God for the hearty flowers that push through the snow to blaze the trail for Spring!

My kids were outside for hours with no jackets. My baby went swinging for the first time this year. I even was daydreaming about running through the yard with our dog. Uh... we don't have a dog, but in this weather is seems like a great idea! (I'm sure I'll come to my senses right quick though.)

Spring, spring, spring! Newness, freshness, renewing of life. It's so wonderful!

The Gift of Orchid

I saw my stepdad yesterday. He's about 4 weeks post open-heart surgery and doing very well. Wishing I was in more of a position to help him and take care of him, I bought him a book. You see, my kids and I have been sick for a month and I cannot bring sickness around him. I haven't been able to help. I thought the least I could do it help his sanity by giving him something intriguing to read. He's enjoyed Grisham in the past, so I found a new collection from him of short stories. Just as well since my stepdad's post-surgery attention span is suffering.

So there I was trying to take care of him, love him, when he surprised me with a Valentine's Day gift. My birthday is the day after V-day, but he clarified, this was not for my birthday, it was for Valentine's Day!

I am a novice gardener, but one who reads and studies and dwells in my gardens. I love my flowers. They are absent in winter. It can be very depressing.

He gave my my very first orchid for Valentine's Day. It is a very clear symbol to me of his unwavering support, love and mindfulness of me. It is a very clear representation of his humility, authenticity and generosity.

My stepdad "knows" me. He has peered at my heart and knows how to communicate with it, even though we have never found or made enough time to cultivate this beautiful relationship as much as we should.

I know the orchid won't last forever, but I know it is one gift I will never, ever forget. I am so thankful God put this man in my life. It is a confirmation of God's love, support and mindfulness of me. He knew I needed him.