Hats Everyday

A hat post
just for you.

Tyler, Texas

A fiery horse with the speed of light, 
a cloud of dust!"Hi-yo, Silver, away!
The Lone Ranger

I truly like wearing hats!
The thing about hats
is that wearing them 
makes all the difference.

I've shared this photo before, with me
 helping my father moments before
I walked down the aisle.

Trying on new hats! Something we do when it's raining outside.

"How a hat makes you feel
is what a hat is all about."
Philip Treacy

Hats made with love by Auntie/Mama Cierra.

As a matter of fact my hoodie feels warm and cozy underneath!

"Hats make people feel good 
and that's the point of them."
Philip Treacy

"Some hats can only be worn if you're willing to be jaunty,
to set them at an angle 
and to walk beneath them with a spring in your stride
as if you're only a step away from dancing.
They demand a lot of you."
Neil Gaiman

They're especially fun when they

hang in the most unusual of places.
Like Paris.
and not Paris, France either.
Paris, Texas

At first we thought 
what a cool place to dry out.
Until we met the train conductor,
and put on a few of their hats,
and heard their stories.

You caught me!

Listening to the stories from way back when was as interesting 
as the kiddos checking out the old time equipment!



"Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard.
Do not let the pain make you hate.
D not let the bitterness steal your sweetness.
Take pride even though the rest of the world
may disagree,
you still believe it to be a beautiful place."

What a cutie!

and look
more cuties below.

 Any person can carry off wearing a hat.
Hats are all about emotion.

So before you step out into the world today
don't forget to grab your hat!

and just in case you didn't know

National Hat Day

does exist!

Like that Star of the Waning Summer

The fair in Minnesota
it's a bittersweet affair
 and always,
brings the close of summer far too close
 for my comfort.

It's always all about the cows.

Seriously.

Welcome to

SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

and corn-men, because we're critters too.

Or

Rather than corn critters
how about good old Dinosaurs?

Has it ever felt like your life unravels 
in the most unusual ways sometimes?

"Like that star of the waning summer

who beyond all stars rises
 bathed in the ocean stream

to glitter in brilliance."

Homer

"Never dull your shine for somebody else."
Tyra Banks

"The journey is the thing."

Homer

To be able to hear unheard sounds.

"Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none."

William Shakespeare

Life unravels in a mysterious way sometimes, doesn't it?


"Thank life for happening
thanks to you for being here.
Thank every twist and turn
that we are joined in this world together,
There is a reason for every single thing
and nobody can stop us, not ever,
There is a reason for every worry
and concern."
Dante Jannicelli
and me




“Bad things can happen, and often do--but they only take up a few pages of your story; and anyone can survive a few pages.” 
― James A. Owen, The Barbizon Diaries: A Meditation on Will, Purpose, and the Value Of Stories

Good Fences and the Red Door

Hooray, for once I can join in on 

GOOD FENCES

on time!

Out for a stroll 

it feels wonderful walking
and getting lost in one's thoughts.
Doesn't it?

I was drawn to this.

The beauty is always in the seeing.

Escaping greenery for our pleasure.

Also, while I was out
 and about
 the edge of Farmington, Minnesota
 yesterday

I revisited an old familiar place.

It has the prettiest red door ever,

wouldn't you agree?

Where oh where art thou pretty sunshine?
"Everywhere is walking distance
if you take/have the time."
Steven Wright

Enjoy your day
and all the fences that may come your way.

TP - Please Be Seated

So Many Reasons To 
Be Seated

for 

THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC

our theme is

Please be seated.

When was the last time you spent a quiet moment

just doing nothing?

Or shared the same couch with family?

When was the last time you

Just sat and looked at the sea?

How about those reflections sitting on the water?

Taking a sit down break!

Or watched the wind blow through the tree limbs?

Or sat down to feel rippling waves?

  Have you taken off your clown nose

 so it can sit on the table?

Or sat down for a wet seat!

Or sat down to watch children playing in the park?

"At the end of the day,

 I just want to sit with someone I love 

and chat about what matters

and even what doesn't."

Crystal Woods

Take good care of you
and

Stars

Can't

Shine

Without

Darkness!

Aware

Three weeks ago I planned a beach day/birthday party for my daughter in law.

But the rain storms kept showing up.

You won't stop us Mother Nature!

Rain, rain go away!

And so it did.

And stay away rain!

There is a Cycle

Posting to
SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

Pardon my silence this week,
but my heart and soul is processing another deep loss.
(and my laptop decided to call it a day too. Is there a rainbow bridge for computers too?)

Comforting words and flowers from my daughter.
There is a cycle
to life
and death
that shapes
the lives 
of those
who keep
the company
of dogs.
(and cats)


Only we know what a small price 
we pay for the love we have received
from our pets.  The sadness and loss,
no matter how powerful it may be,
is an insufficient measure of the joy
we have been given.



We were a three dog household.

Now we have only two dogs that 

I'm sure are still

wondering where their sister went.

When is she coming home again?

"What we have once enjoyed we can never lose;
 all that we love deeply, becomes a part of us."
Helen Keller

Looking like a princess after a day with the groomer.

Now Allie can take comfort with our beloved Lady again.

"Sometimes the best way to help someone,
 is to just be near them."

Allie always stuck close to me before she went blind, and that doubled after. She'd always keep nosing me, I was her ground support.

The kitchen begging crew are short one now.

She'd follow our voices!Always being underfoot, 
wanting to be a part of what was happening,
even if she was being ignored
and it's so empty without her.

"Until one has loved an animal, 

a part of one's soul has remained

unawakened."

Anatole France