Merry Christmas Xanga

It’s hard to believe, another year is nearly gone.  I go from holiday to holiday traveling the world in movies as months progress one to the next, faster than a speeding bullet and it all begins again, time running its relay race. 

A bit of silliness you will enjoy:  CLICK HERE FOR AN INTERACTIVE Christmas FUN page (shockwave flash).

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A Poem

Christmas 2008
© RSBlain
December 21, 2008
 
I’m thinking Christmas, and I’m picturing snow,
As deep as the memories of my long ago,
Nearly mid century, the air still, mountain fresh
Snowflakes falling so cold, they could settle and rest
On my warm mittened palm, where study revealed
A pure, lacy white picture, embedded then sealed
In my mind, where nostalgic thoughts bring them back
As real as packages, boxed, ribboned and tied
For delivery by Santa on his Christmas sleigh ride

*
 When thinking of Christmas, I’m in fur coat and muff
 With warm woolen scarves and leggings and stuff,
 Entertained by skating and sledding the streets,
 Making snowmen and snow balls and sugared snow treats
My toes feel flash frozen, and need to be warmed
 They’re hot pink from the cold of our first Winter storm,
 I head home, to thaw cheeks all frostbitten red,
 and I hurry with thoughts of grandma’s hot, homemade bread

*

When thinking of Christmas, my ears hear the sounds
Of reindeer pawing rooftop, while we’re playing around
Under covers, me and sis, we’re excited, awake,
Listening for whispers, only Christmas can make
Thumps and bumps on the roof from a bell gilded sleigh
And giggles from Santa, as he  might or he may
Leave coal in our stockings for our poor behavior …
Then decide to leap quickly, into sleigh and take flight
Instead of leaving some presents, for us, Christmas night

*
When thinking of Christmas, I taste long distant smells
Of turkey and dressing and potatoes that swelled
Fluffy with cream, filling bowls and our eyes
With gourmet presentations, all remembered, life size
Made from scratch from recipes hand written in books,
For saving to pass to, the futures’ good cooks,
Who in turn will pass them, down to their own …
And, now, the meals’ ending, baked Christmas delights
My mouth waters when thinking of each morsel and bite

*
When thinking of Christmas, I can’t help but think toys
That Santa left gift wrapped, for good girls and boys
And opening the presents beneath tree, in a rush,
Leaving papers all torn round the floor, to be brushed
Away from the tables, the piano, and chairs
Freeing up floor space to play with our wares
We have gathered together, in our own little piles …
Of treasure filled boxes which Santa had dragged
Down the soot coated chimney, in his magic bag

*
When I think of Christmas, so much comes to mind
That the gift of good recall, reaches inside to find
Windows all iced from the cold Winter’s air,
Pressed fairies froze solid when we found them there,
And grace at the table, and prayers at our bed,
And Mom, and the bedtime stories she read,
And the tortuous wait at the top of the stairs, …
As slowly, Grandparents make their way to the tree
Where not a present was opened, until they could see

*
When thinking of Christmas, I think of the Babe
Of whom stories and songs are retold and re-played,
Of Mary and Joseph, and kings led by bright star,
And the glorious birth after travel so far,
From homes far away to where God’s greatest plan
Birthed Creation’s Salvation with the advent of a man,
And the stillness I feel on this wonder filled night …
Hearing songs of the angels and of shepherds who prayed
Giving thanks for the Savior, born on Christmas Day

*
When I think of Christmas, I have tucked away
Polished reflections, on a reel where they stay,
But they run unexpected when I’m trying to sleep
These shadowy Christmas I protectively keep
Refusing their loss or their slow fading out
As I know what Christmas is really about …
A concept, the conviction of immortalities’ scope,
Faith in the Christmas child, His love, peace, and hope
 

Listen to this video, Mary Did You Know, performed by Kathy Mattea.  It’s my favorite Christmas Carol.  If you haven’t heard it you are in for a moving minute in your life. 

My favorite performance is Kenny Rogers and Wynona Judd but there is no a live performance on YouTube, so I chose Kathy as the next best, ENJOY both …

Merry Christmas Xanga, and my hope is, each and everyone of you has the Happiest of New Years.

Becca

 

I have always wanted to photograph Turkeys.  We made attempts to visit some Ohio Turkey Farms, a year or so ago.   Though we made many telephone calls, trying to make arrangements, it never happened.  My displayed images are graphics made from photos I took while visiting my sister in Loves Park, Ill., July of this year.  Bunny drove us to spots, she knew the Turkey’s could be found.  I had a wonderful time watching dozens of wild birds, and taking photos.  As always, nature proved to be her amazing self, and I had an experience I couldn’t have, at a turkey farm.

 

Edited in:

A Thanksgiving read  from Newt Gingrich:  What Every Child Should Know About Thanksgiving

 

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Xanga.

Stay safe.

 

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 Happy Thanksgiving 

 

 

  Happy Halloween Xanga  

 

In June of 2001, in time for my daughter’s wedding, I purchased a Kodak DC4800, 3.0 megapixel camera, a great little digital camera I used until early this year.  In October, of the purchase year, my husband, my sister Jeanne and I drove off for a weekend get-away in Brookville, Indiana.  The drive was for viewing fall colors and photos, of the same.  It was on this trip I developed a fascination for Buzzards / Turkey Vultures.  Nearing evening we were gathering ourselves to leave the park.  At the same time, the Buzzards began to appear, flying high above the trees and over the river.  It was the closest I had been to the birds and as they rode the updrafts from the river, I took photos.  None of the photos came out very well, except for a passable, single image I have used, periodically, to work into some of my graphics.  See images #1 and #2.

 

 

#1, This is the original image, sized down.

 

 

#2, This is the bird cropped from the image as large as the camera took it.  I was thrilled I had managed to catch the bird in the photo. 

 

 

Since the first encounter, I have noticed the Vultures flying near our home.  They fly the skies above our house, and they frequent a flying area above the park we go to, catching and riding thermals, above the river.

 

In December of 2007, Christmas, my husband and daughter gave me a new Canon 10 mpx Digital Rebel XTi camera.  I have played with it consistently, learning how to use it, making many mistakes, but learning.  This past week, at Lake Isabella park, the Buzzards were enjoying the sunny skies, flying in ever widening circles, hoping to discover a meal.  See images #3 and #4.

 

 

#3 This is the complete image sized down for computer screen.

 

 

 

#4 This the image cropped, full size, from the above photo.  It’s amazing what pixels can do and for me to have taken this one made me think I had been given a present.  Getting settings right, the right light, being able to move quickly enough to catch the bird, being able to zero in on it, all of those things have to be attended to and as I am not the quickest or the steadiest, it really did give me a thrill.  This is the best one I have ever taken of the birds.  If I ever loosen the reigns and use the largest size image setting I may be able to do a nice print out for hanging.  AN EDIT:  the birds were flying at about 100 to 150 feet in the air and I was using a regular lens, 28 – 135 mm.  My settings were:  TimeValue Shutter speed of 1/4000 with an Aperture Value of f5.6 and an exposure Compensation of +2 and an ISO Speed of 1600  DON’T ASK ME TO EXPLAIN all of what I just put in.  I have a lot to understand as well as learn. 

 

 

 

#5 A created image using a photograph from Lake Isabella Park and one of my Turkey Vultures, both photos were taken “The Day of the Vulchers”.  Desktop 800 x 600 HERE  and 1024 x 768 HERE 

 

 

 

#6 Another view which looks a little more like fall.  Desktop 800 x 600 HERE  and 1024 x 768 HERE 

 

 

 

#7 This view is a crop from the above #5 original image.  I have used different software techniques from Paint Shop Pro to bring it to this image.  Desktop 800 x 600 HERE  and 1024 x 768 HERE 

 

Some excellent pages for information about Turkey Vultures:  Vulture Medicine and Hinckley Buzzard Day,

and How Fast and High do Birds Fly, and All About the Turkey Vulture, and the Turkey Vulture Society

 

 

A good friend sent me some Halloween cups and some smell good, body bath.  I made a desktop using the cups and some Halloween inspired in color, dishes.

 

 

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Happy Halloween Xanga,

 

Becca

 

 

Weddings:  This is how a really fun marriage begins.  NOT A LONG VIDEO and very cute.

 

I don’t like to blog without something of myself in the content so,  a few florals fit for a wedding.

 

 

Petunia’s at Bob Evans Restaurant.  They always have something nice to look at.

 

 

 

Cut Flowers at Sam’s.

 

 

 

Some Tulips I received for Mother’s Day and they were so beautiful.

 

 

 

A planter at our local post office.  I’d love to have one like it either side of our drive.

 

 

Hurricanes:  Believe it or not, Ohio had a hurricane or, effects of Hurricane Ike.  Ike drove up the eastern edge of the midwestern states with an unexpected fury, no warnings.  There has been a lot of damage and lives lost.  Here where I live we had 50 to 80 mph winds that lasted from about noon until 8 or 9 at night.  Electricity in the whole area of Cincinnati and beyond was knocked out and some of of the electric has yet to be turned on.  John and I suffered minor discomforts, a lot of debris and the inconvenience of the electric being turned off.  It was hot and we ate out of cans and dry foods to avoid spoilage of food in the refrigerator which we thought might happen anyway as we were told it would be at least 5 days before the electric would be restored.  We sat on our porch watching trees sway 8 and 10 feet either direction listening to sirens and wondering if or when one of the trees was going to land on the house.  We were lucky, we came out virtually unscathed.  It was scary and a royal pain but nothing like what people on the coast of Texas or in Cuba and elsewhere felt. 

 

Sometimes things happen so often it becomes old hat for those of us watching.  I can tell you, the little bit of mess John and I experienced, multiplied by days, weeks or months would be enough to drive you to drink if you had money enough left to purchase one.  Families who have lost everything are hoping they aren’t forgotten because we are worn out with repeat incidents.  Dig into your pockets and make a donation to the Red Cross (CLICK HERE) or ???.  A few dollars per person in a household usually isn’t a hardship and if everyone did it, there would be major bucks going for much needed relief.  Always remember, the person/family in need could be you. 

 

Hoping everyone is doing well and not losing bundles on the stock market.

Have a super week,

Becca

 

I have always had my head in the clouds.  From early childhood I did many a walk to and from school with my head tilted back looking at the sky.  It was always so beautiful. 

Since the purchase of my first digital cam in 2001, the clouds have appeared more beautiful than ever.  This is a somewhere in Rockford, Illinois photo.  Nearly every sky, this Summer, has been filled with billowy clouds, just like this.  I take shot after shot from inside the car as we drive. 

 

Details most people might find boring make interesting images for me.  The dry grass and skid marks and a few Queen Anne’s Lace off to the side was a choice image, I noticed, coming my way.

 

The Queen herself, in all of her glory from another spot on the side of the road, somewhere!

 

It’s impossible to drive the highways and not see the big rigs.  They still cover the miles, with or without goods, getting to where they have to go, even with the high gas prices.  We all have to eat so they and we all keep trucking and I take their photos.

 

And as we truck, we try to avoid the MAN except with my camera.

 

I see the couples going to ??? and I think I’d like to be care free and going places I’ve never been, just like them.  I take their photo and when I review my images, I recall nearly the whole trip I discovered them taking, alongside.

 

I get pleasure from the familiar.  It took 4 trips to this now familiar spot to have perfect weather for the near perfect windmill photos.  I equate these glorious windmills with real patriotism.  I am sure there are big bucks involved but those big bucks aren’t going for oil but clean air and energy. 

 

We can’t buy the farm but I can photograph them.

 

Every once in a while I get to take photos of fetching young men.  These boys smiled as they told me they didn’t want to disturb my picture taking.  I told them they were the picture and they ran the loop several times so I could take more. 

 

For natural wonders, beginning with the really little things, I take photos in my own back yard and 

 

When the photographed is as curious as the photographer, you get very nice shots.

 

This four legged beast has adopted us until it gets tired of the same old food I serve up.  If it ever allows us to handle and pick it up it’s headed to the vet for much needed shots and other care. 

 

Is it a lady cat? or is it a man cat?  No matter, It thinks it owns our place.  It hasn’t managed to manipulate me enough to allow it into my house or to give it a name.  It’s just “the cat”.

 

I keep trying for really good night and moon shots.  I don’t have an expensive distance lens but have been improving with what I do have.  Considering so many of my images happen from inside a moving car and this harvest moon is a bit on the early side and I really needed to get it, I played with settings and took the shots.  It’s just coming up during our drive home from Rockford and I force myself to be as still as is possible in the moving car. 

 

Higher still, I can get the moving traffic along with the moon.

 

And hubbys always make good subject matter especially on a nice day with a few flowers and there’s no place like home.

I hope everyone is well and having good days whatever the season you are in.  I was sorry to hear about another from the xanga seniors leaving us.  Riddiger was one sweet man with a tremendous sense of humor.  Good thoughts being sent his way and to his family and friends.

Until the next time,  Stay well.
Becca

 

 Happy 4th of July, Xanga 

I have had a busy Summer.  So busy in fact I forgot to post a Happy Father’s day so, a belated happy father’s day Xanga. 

I have had a small mix of relatives visiting.  Both of my sisters have been here and my daughter Halie and my granddaughter Eden.  This has kept John and I busy feeding and bedding people down, making sure there was plenty of hot water and other necessities and the usual running around.

One of the most exciting things to happen was a short but very pleasant visit with Robbie Caudle.  She is as sweet in person as she is online and very courageous.  She is traveling with two of her children, making a round trip of a few of our Eastern states from Texas to back home again.  She spent an extended amount of time in Tennessee with some car problems but the mechanic assured her, when they drove away, her car was in good shape. 

My sister Bunny and I met with Robbie and family late Saturday evening, June 29, in a Bob Evans restaurant near our home.  We visited long enough for a few hugs and with time enough to realize how really charming and intelligent Robbie is and we saw for ourselves, how charming her children are.  Not only is everyone charming but they are all beautifully photogenic.  Here are some of the photos I took.

Our traveling trio, Rachel, Robbie and Chris.

Robbie and Chris

Rachel and Robbie

Chris

Rachel

We had a very pleasant visit and then left the trio at a nearby motel after a bit of motel hunting.  Their stop for the next day was Niagra Falls then onward to situate a son in a new apartment then more travel.  As I said, Robbie is courageous.

Have a great Summer Xanga.  Ours has begun in some wonderful ways and meeting up with Robbie was a plus.

Becca

 

Memorial Day

This http://www.usmemorialday.org/ is an informative site, worth visiting to discover everything you might want to know about Memorial Day in the United States. 

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Have a safe weekend, Xanga

Becca

 

 

 Happy Mother’s Day Xanga

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 Have a really beautiful day

 

This dear Xanga lady, ButSheBites, has flattered me with an invitation to participate in the group, Flower Smeller’s. 

Exactly what is a “Flower Smeller”?  My definition of the term “Flower Smeller” would include, anyone attempting life, in the rugged terrains of this world, in a positive way, reaching out in whatever fashion he/she is able, with an encouraging word or a hug.  He/She is someone who makes attempt to appreciate the good and uncomplicated blessings which exist in each of their own worlds.  I’m not sure I fit perfectly into my own definition of “Flower Smeller” but I try and I am aware of many Xangan’s who are courageous in their attempts. 

As a nominee I am requested to select 5 people to share in the benefits of a growing group of Flower Smellers.  The benefits being the opportunity to hear or read and write of just how “Flower Smellers” impact ours and their own world. 

 The Flower Smeller Rules

1. If, and only if, you are awarded the flower smeller badge or are a founder of GO! Smell the flowers can you then award the badge to 5 others by writing a post with links to the 5 blogs or websites that you choose.

2. You can then award this badge  to a maximum of 5 people per month from now until eternity as and when you come across more flower smellers. 

3. Link to this post  so that people can find the origin of where the award started and find their way to this community.

4. Proudly display the Flower Smeller Award () with a link to the post that you wrote announcing your award.

5. You are welcome to award this badge to non-bloggers if you choose, maybe someone who doesn’t have their own website or blog but could contribute to something over a flowers!

6. Be prepared to be approached to write a 500 word account of yourself to feature in our 2009 book – The Flower Smellers that some of founders will be featuring in!

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I like the idea behind the Flower Smellers group. Be sure to READ HERE. 

Click Here for  About Flower Smellers. There is a creative video on the page which is interesting plus text, not long and drawn out but nicely done.   OBLIGATIONS: there really are none except to pass along a bit of the upbeat in your life. 

Now some nominations of 5 Xangans.

rosebudsinwyo,   because of her lifetime courageous struggles and her never ending retention of a beautiful outlook, always taking time to Smell the Flowers.

dreadpirate,  who in his rugged way is always reaching out to encourage anyone who will listen.

Stanelle, who knows right from wrong and lives her life with determination to help others discover the same.

twoberry,  who doesn’t sit and wait for things to happen but works diligently to determine outcomes.

USA_troops_aide, who gives and gives never failing to remember the troops.

There are more but I am allowed only 5 so there it is.  Be sure to contact them if you want to be listed with them as a FLOWER SMELLER.

Real Flower Smellers Appreciate 

 Dandelions

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A MUST READ per
YOUR HEALTH and Dandelions.   Click Here

Dandelions Attributes from the New York Times:  Click Here

All the great things you would like to know about Dandelions:  Click Here

Dandelion Recipes:  Click Here

Have a great week and it’s never too early to start Flower Smelling.

Becca

 

A late update on my brotherinlaw Dan.  Dan has not bounced back completely after his fall but he is improved and gone back to work.  In the 8 worst weeks he lost 70 plus pounds.  It isn’t a good way to lose weight.  He is eating but not at all like he did and maybe that’s a good thing.  Anyway, we are all greatly relieved for his recovery all thanks to pray, I think.  Thanks once again to everyone who remembered him.

As for me/us, there isn’t a lot to talk about.  Just the usual aches and pains of growing older so very boring stuff.  I will share some images of a beautiful day.  I took them this past Tuesday, April 22, 2008.  The day was lovely and we had to be out.  As usual my camera was with us and I snapped away as we drove.  The sky was very blue with white billowy clouds and sunshine with everything looking new after a late Spring.  All images were taken from inside the car and are typical of any drive you might take through any business district.  None were pristine so I got in some practice with Paint Shop Pro on these shots I am displaying. 

All of my images were taken on the way home from our appointments.  The day had changed from nice to OUTSTANDING.  From childhood I have been drawn to clouds so I always notice their various shapes and temperaments and these clouds jumped out to me as they were so white and billowy with a blue sky that took my breath away.  Notice also the Dandelions in the center.  They are always such happy little floral faces.  They continue to survive all the human abuses heaped on them sprouting prolifically every Spring. 

 

This photo was taken as we dropped over the hill from the expressway.  Our home is exactly 3 miles from this spot and I know this looks pretty much a business district but Loveland is actually a very small town. 

 

Even the gas station has photo appeal when the backdrop is a beautiful sky.

 

The main thoroughfare coming into Loveland has a number of business located on the side of the drive.  I am not sure what this business is or does but it made an interesting photo.  I have an interest in big equipment used in business for construction to the smaller moving pallets.  Back Hoes and Cranes and diggers are enticement to be clicking away with the camera. 

 

This is our local Mexican Restaurant.  It truly is Mexican as most of the help speaks no English.  That may be a clue for ???  Anyway, the food is good and not expensive.  

 

One of my favorite fast foods is fried Chicken.  Famous Recipe is my favorite and here it sits at the end of my street EMPTY after a short and obviously non lucrative stint in our little town.  Now, if we want Famous Recipe Fried Chicken, we have to travel a good twenty miles to get it.  We make the trip including other things on the way like a detailed car wash and the dealership  for regular car upkeep.  This means we get fried chicken about every 6,000 miles. 

Enough for now, I need to conserve for my next burst of energy.

Until the next time, be well everyone.
Becca