Dark & Stormy to Bright & Light…

The skies have been dark and stormy for the past four? days – I think i’ve lost count. The threat of tropical weather is no party but Lil Debby has passed by Charleston and we are grateful. It was a nice treat to run to the store and buy some fresh produce for dinner… My avocado is basking in the sun in attempt to get ripe enough for dinner, ha ha.

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A doozy of a week…

It’s been a doozy of a week. Tropical Storm Debby definitely has overstayed her (un)welcome! The stress of these weather events (around the country, not just Charleston SC) takes their toll for sure. I’m writing this on Wednesday where it is still raining and the threat that Debby will make landfall somewhere near Charleston is a possibility.

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From the Archives – Bird Watching at The Swag!

What an exquisite place to watch the birds be so happy. Really, to watch all animals be in their element. The rabbits, chipmunks, skunks, wild turkeys and of course, the occasional bear (which I have yet to see, but Fred has seen). I’ve heard about their sitings, and one was very close. We’ve been close enough to smell them (smells like a wet dog, which some people can’t smell it, me included – but Fred can, whew!). We’ve seen fresh piles of doo… the ground freshly dug where they likely dug up a bee’s nest (I had no idea), fresh claw marks near an apple tree, the list goes on. You learn so much! #YOAHBEAR

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30 Things that make me happy…

Daily writing prompt
List 30 things that make you happy.

This is a WordPress writing prompt. List 30 things that make you happy. Here goes (in no particular order):

  • 1. going through life with my husband, thank you, fred!
  • 2. reading… it’s like going on a vacation without packing! 📚
  • 3. flowers (oh, the joy!)
  • 4. recipes (good ones)
  • 5. taking photos (I can’t stop)
  • 6. good design (love it!)
  • 7. cardinals (reminds me of charlie) 🐾
  • 8. jigsaw puzzles (addicted!) 🧩
  • 9. nice, thoughtful people
  • 10. doing something for someone else
  • 11. dark chocolate
  • 12. pizza
  • 13. COFFEE, cold, hot, lukewarm… mostly decaf.
  • 14. art
  • 15. swimming while looking up at the sky watching the birds
  • 16. cheese
  • 17. charlie (dog), even though he’s passed on – his photos remain
  • 18. good pizza
  • 19. writing
  • 20. volunteering with my neighborhood association
  • 21. trees
  • 22. a wonderful home, blessed
  • 23. little things that make me laugh unexpectedly.
  • 24. changing furniture/rooms around with fred
  • 25. cloudy days
  • 26. cool weather with wind
  • 27. Effie’s oat cakes with my coffee
  • 28. family and friends
  • 29. a good movie or tv show
  • 30. technology when it’s working 😉

What make YOU happy? Update: apparently pizza makes me very happy as I have it listed twice! 😂

Catch you back here tomorrow!

A Charlie-Like Sketch by Jamie Wyeth!

We fell in love with this poster so long ago, after we lost our first Jack Russell Terrier. We saw this in the window at the Farnsworth Museum. What a treasure. Since that time very dear friends who know Jamie sent us the poster with an inscription and a JRT digging, which is exactly what Charlie looked like when he would get to digging in the yard for something.

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ARTIST: Judy Joy Nocifora!

“Stink Eye (Charlie)” by Judy Joy Nocifora

What a wonderful painting, right? How are some artists able to pick up on the little things that make our creatures come alive in a painting? Especially without ever meeting the animal. The funny little sit that he had at times and this look, the “stink eye” look he often gave. It meant “now!” (In terms of carrot treats, cucumber treats, breakfast/lunch/dinner, evening walk, etc.).

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Book Alert for the 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July to you!

Isn’t this just the absolute best time of year to grab a good book, soak up the sun (or A/C for a good many of us) – sip an iced tea and disappear into another orbit. I’m reading THE FIVE STAR WEEKEND by Elin Hilderbrand and it’s FABULOUS! I’ve stocked up on several books – it is hurricane season after all!

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Drink up, so you don’t melt!

Some of us thrive in the hot weather and some of us thrive in cooler weather. I definitely fall into the latter category. Much of the country will see hot/humid conditions (just look at the windows, ugh). This week Michigan has higher temps than Charleston, SC and it’s not cool here by any means. It’s tough when you’re not used to these temps (for extended periods of time especially)…

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