complete randomness

Happy Friday!

It's time to join Nancy for a little randomness.

1) I was going to post this photo for 52 photos project "light and dark" 

but then, like usual, I was running late -

 and when I saw all the awesome photos of full moons, city lights, shadows and sun...

 - well, there's a teensy possibility that not everyone appreciates my sense of humor.

But hey, light and dark cows - what's not to love - right?

2) I've come to realize that I'm pretty terrible with most social medias -

yeah, whatever...

3) I think I'm going to try to make soap. Since I'm a bit of a skin care fanatic - it amazes me that I haven't thought of this before.

4) I finally got some business cards printed - it only took me about 5 months.

Yeah - I tend to over-think things...

5) I'm listening to an audio book by an author that Chicago-daughter describes as a "guilty pleasure" 

- she was an English lit major, so you can translate that to mean "major fluff"

Yep, it's pretty terrible - and yet - I can't wait to listen for what happens next...

So that's all for me - have a wonderful weekend!

52 photos - unusual - horse in a window

I struggled a little with the prompt this week - thought I might have to take a pass. 

I'm not sure how to define unusual - and while I'd like to think that a sink hole in the streets of Boston causing traffic nightmares is unusual - well, really it's not.
(just another normal week, here...)

From my archives -

this horse gazes out of a third floor window in Galena, Illinois -

and, although it's not a real horse, there is still something just a bit disconcerting about it.

I'm thinking there must be a story behind a horse watching the activity from above, 

but Google let me down on this one, so if anyone knows the story -

I'd love to hear it!

I am also very much looking forward to seeing all the "unusual" entries over at
52 photos project

Have a great day!

52 photos - down below

Chicago-daughter is home for the week,

and I'm taking some time off from work.

It's one of those vacations where we're going here and there -

doing this and that...

Yeah.... I'm going to need a vacation from my vacation.

Last weekend, while Chicago-daughter headed off to Cape Cod with some friends,

Nearby-apartment-daughter, Greg and I took a day trip to Quechee Gorge.

We were fascinated, watching the kayakers down below,
navigating a short section of white water.

after making it through this narrow piece of the river,
they would pick up their kayaks and climb over the rocks to the beginning -
and do it all again.

We walked the trail to the bottom
where we got a very different view from below -

the water was a bit calmer here - and families explored.
Or, did as Nearby-apartment-daughter did -
and simply enjoyed taking in the sights

Today is my mom's birthday -
and we're heading to her beautiful seaside town for a little birthday celebration.
And I'm wishing you all a very nice day!

I'm joining 52 Photos Project for "Down Below"

52 photos - meditation in vermont

I do think that it's nearly impossible to pass by a river or waterfall (or even a road construction site) 

in Vermont without spotting these -

I found these little stone structures last weekend while exploring South Londonderry.

For some reason, in my mind, I've always pictured yogi meditating near them -

which I never quite understood.

My curiosity finally got the better of me,

and after looking it up - I learned that the meditation is in the act of stacking the rocks -

- which I still really didn't get, because, you know -

this actually looked kind of easy to me.

Soooo, I quickly gave it a try.

Mine toppled within seconds - okay, so I guess maybe not so easy.

Then -
last night Greg stumbled upon a blog post called "A Monument to Love" about a young man who has devoted the last few month building these "cairns" in memory of his beloved dog.
When I took this photo last month (this is a different location from the photos above) -

I wondered if there was a story to go with it.
The updated photo is amazing!

Someday, I think I'm going to give this a real try.

I have a feeling the meditation would do me a world of good.
How about you - do you have an activity that you find meditative?

I am joining 52 Photos Project - the topic this week is "Layered or Stacked"

rurality - catamount prowl

Last weekend while running errands, we decided to drive through downtown Bennington, Vermont rather than taking the more direct highway route.

I'm so glad we did.

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While riding down Main Street,
I noticed some very colorful cats prowling the street.

I caught these two while stopped at a traffic light.

And I'm thinking that this one would have a difficult time sneaking up on prey with its bright neon face.
These decoratively painted cougars are part of a large collection that make up this year's Catamount Prowl.

Don't you love it when you stumble on something unexpected?

52 Photos, Rurality Blog Hop

rural country markets

In rural towns and villages all through Vermont

the country store still serves an important purpose in the community.

These little markets carry just about everything you can think of -

and do it with charm.

After stocking up on weekend necessities
steak tips and wine and cheese and ice cream - yes - necessities 

these pretty crimson flower boxes caught my eye - 

all decked out to welcome Spring.

Have a colorful day!

52 Photos Project, Rurality Bog Hop

52 photos - stained glass shapes

Open studio weekend was fabulous - in spite of the cold rainy weather.

Oh my goodness, so many talented artists and artisans.

Pressed flowers, water colors, whimsical oil paintings of roosters, jewelry, stone bird baths...

And then my favorite - the stained glass window I purchased at

Hot Glass Works in Jamaica, Vermont.

I've been drooling ummm, pining over their many different windows for several months.

I'm feeling very lucky that Bella chose shapes for the prompt this week.

While the overall patchwork of stained glass is made up of squares and rectangles,

The individual pieces have so many beautiful colors and shapes.

swirls and speckles and star bursts, petals ...

Hanging in an open space between my living room and kitchen,
I smile every time I catch a glimpse.

All items at Hot Glass Works are hand made by a very talented husband and wife team -

they've been creating these works of art for more than 30 years.

Have a wonderful day.

52 photos project

52 Photos - raindrops keep falling...

Riding home from our weekend at Away
fresh air - raindrops - Sunday afternoon

feeling the lull and wanting to nap

but then - as I watched the raindrops fall on the windshield

it came to me -

playing with my camera was a lot more fun.
And it even took me a couple tries to realize I needed to manually focus on the water drops.

Have a great day!