Sepia Saturday 73: 7 May 2011

So it's Sepia Saturday once again in Minnesota....and Alan has served a photo of a fascinating couple, Mr. and Mrs. Samuelsson, of Stigasa, Smaland, Sweden who are both tightly holding on to the other's hand...as a pledge of their love and as sturdy as their warm woolen clothes.....they are husband and wife......  So in honor of this lovely couple and Mother's Day (tomorrow) I'm going to follow the themers ....a bit this week and will introduce a few other engaging women......and of course.....their other half....

If you want to travel along the Sepia Saturday themes or post other sepia related photos then why not do it here http://sepiasaturday.blogspot.com/2011/05/sepia-saturday-73-saturday-7th-may-2011.html

Before they were married...their life styles may have been sometimes peculiar, or off-color....

This silly posed lady says, "When a girl puts on a man's hat it's a sign she wants to kiss him."  This post card was mailed in 1909 (by someone with good humor)


here is the other side of it:

I actually got this postcard for free at a local shop.

...and while the ladies were out being stylish, or shopping...the men were often building new houses for their bride to be...before they popped the big question...as Andrew Peterson pictured here in 1898.  Isn't his log home just a masterpiece?  He built this log cabin in the 1850's for his new family.

(Note, actually women back in those days did work very hard, and more often sewed their own clothes ...)

 Perhaps Andrew Peterson knew the Samuelssons....since he was born in Sweden in 1818 and came to the United States in about 1850.  Peterson kept diaries until he died in 1898.  Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg based a series of novels beginning with "The Emmigrants," from those diaries...and later the series were made into movies.  Back in those days you helped your fellow neighbor and together with each other's help, they made it through thick and thin....

"In the morning I did a bit of everything, also did an errand at Lundsten. In the afternoon I cut more hay."

Here is a part of an interesting newspaper article from 1880 in the Minneapolis Tribune of life as a Swede in Minnesota...."The drinking water here is very poor, and to all good luck the population here is mostly Norwegians, Swedes and Germans, and they will of course not drink water, but whisky and beer, so they do not notice the need of good water very much as sober people might do.  I am lodging here in a saloon that is owned by a Swede whose name is Solberg.  They drank and played very good but this did not give me any pleasure..."

When I read these tidbits about life in the early days of Minnesota I have to wonder what is a true Minnesotan?  I wasn't born here, but two of my children were, and they have great-grandparents that were born in Norway and Sweden....hmmm.

Moving right along into the wedding section....and slightly out of the ordinary changes......to the traditional wedding dresses....

There are many thoughts about why a woman back then would decide on a black wedding dress, although they make many beautiful black dresses yet today....Yet, I'm sure a bride would not pick black for these past reasons.  Some say it was wise to spend money on a dress that would be suitable to wear more often then the frilly white dress, left to hang.  Or, that the bride was marrying a widower, (although in this photo he appears quite young to be a widower.)  Other countries outside of the United States wore them as a traditional dress.....for what ever reason, this bride wore black with a white veil...and what about his interesting cross shaped decoration..... is it made of paper (perhaps their marriage certificate or a prayer) and are there flowers there too?  Whatever he's wearing it's often found in wedding photos....someone please explain more about this if you know...I find it a mystery.
and then we have Mr. and Mrs. Prestige......or so they seem....

Doesn't he seem to have the look of really holding in his breath?  I do hope their life together after this day was filled with more pleasure then this!  Don't you?  We must notice that no cost was spared on this fashionable statement of wedding dresses....maybe the flower (weathered) like attachments had special meaning other than looking so out of place....maybe they were scraps from other wedding dresses of loved ones for good luck....sometimes you just never know....people can do the strangest things at weddings.  Something old, something borrowed, and something blue.....you know.

The Mere Sense that Life and Paddlewheels ...paddle on....

As you'll see in the next few photos, Stillwater, Minnesota still has high water issues...but that won't stop the Majestic Star, a 100 foot Yacht, or her sailing sisters....the great paddle-wheels, the Empress, Avalon, Anastasia, and the Showboat from bringing the joy of boating again this year (season begins May 7th)  I rather enjoyed popping in yesterday during lunch (while not a soul could be seen on deck) just these lovely ladies...waiting.....(and promising myself more trips on the water this year) with an over abundance of pillows, okay they're really clouds....but it was a day to stand back and marvel in this beautiful river town.....

Historical markers on the north and south ends of Stillwater's Main street welcome visitors to, "The Birthplace of  Minnesota"  right here along the St. Croix River, although that's confusing since Stillwater dates back to 1843 (so young I know) but it was not the state's first white settlement.   The village, Marine, on St. Croix built Minnesota's first commercial saw mill in 1839.  Then the town of Mendota across from Fort Snelling on the west bank of the Mighty Mississippi had a settlement earlier yet.  Even back then it was all about being first.

My favorite Gazebo in Lowell Park still under water although the sand bags are gone, so it's prettier, but to reach it, one must get very wet.  While I stood there snapping a few photos two young boys rode up on bikes and stopped along the water...from their excitement they hadn't been here lately....isn't it just the coolest thing when boys of about 8 years or so stop and notice something so simple as a high river?!...and are enthused by it!

These are amazing times still in the year 2011 ....

It's hard trying to decide if the paddleboats or the clouds were prettier...I think after this long hard frozen tundra of a never ending winter....they both rank top billing!

Your eyes aren't fooling you.......

This is the St. Croix River still covering the walkway ...with the Stillwater Lift Bridge (water is lower as before it reached the bridge) and they just recently reopened the bridge for crossing into Wisconsin....but enjoy the views of this fine bridge, as it's in the courts hands and soon will be just a memory as they dig up the beautiful surroundings and build something far more necessary....or so some some people believe....

Balloon excursions and riverboat excursions were popular features way back when and just a natural part of life back in the day, even then.

No not an ocean, just another view of the St. Croix River and the roadway still under water....

For reasons too many and too personal, this is a Rivertown that will always be a privilege and a pleasure to experience....

I will always leave this quaint little river town a better person on every visit...

Just one of the quirky things hanging from the ceiling at Dock Side, where I had once again the most amazing lunch EVER!....

Here is one of those must have snaps of one of Stillwater's gems that overlooks the river....

"For everything you have missed, you have gained something else".- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Whimsical Wednesday wk 24 4 May 2011

Guess what?  In honor of Mother's Day this Sunday ... My Whimsical Wednesday is devoted to things like flowers and hearts, and those yummy broken cookies to moon-light dancing under the stars........ after all....we all have a Mother...this is true......!

If you feel creative or just silly enough to share your own post too.....please go here

http://dthaase-lines.blogspot.com/p/whimsical-wednesday.html

Happiness is ......all the moments shared together.

You want to make the most of every little scrap life gives you.  My mother taught me that.
       Quoted by Joyce Maynard

My mother always smiled when I gave to her a bunch of those bright yellow flowers that popped up magically all about our yard........

Saturday Centus - April 30, "Happy Anniversary, Man"

Clocks: by Henry Van Dyke, "For those who love, time is eternity."

      Welcome to another charming installment of Saturday Centus!  This week Jenny has decided in honor of this being the first year celebration for Saturday Centus being "One year running this year......"  I'm sure you know where I'm going with this.......have you guessed already what her prompt for this week could be?  In case it hasn't come to you yet it's,

"Although the traditional gift for a first year anniversary is paper...."  and if you feel the urge to create one too just go here

http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/2011/04/saturday-centus-happy-anniversary-man.html



     Their first kiss brought tears to their eyes; knowing it was losing her grandmother’s watch that brought them together. She was heartbroken until he, the ship’s Captain placed it in her hands. Once their eyes met, a sudden burst of emotion took them by surprise. Their next five years brought them many pleasures underneath the blissful skies of Algiers.
     A year ago today they took their eternal pledge plunging into life’s stickiness, and togetherness soothed away any turmoil.   Although the traditional gift for the first anniversary is paper,  their gift was kissing underneath this unique clockwork wearing each other’s handmade paper watches.


Remember if you want to play along to just go here

Sepia Saturday 72 : 30 April 2011

Wars, they come in various ways.....As this cartoon depicts Minnesota's Grasshopper invasion. If you lived through it, you would know exactly what true war of beast against man was..... Courtesy of The Minnesota Historical Society

In the early 1870's Minnesota was recovering from the Civil War, and the Dakota War.  Then in the summer of 1873 hordes of Rocky Mountain locusts flew in from a strong southwest wind and they ate all that they could devour.  Followed by the next spring with locust's eggs hatching and more grasshoppers were alive and eating again....families lost everything. 

I hope everyone has survived the big wedding, if you were invited, or for the rest of us that are survivors of it's discussion (everywhere) wishing for life to be normal without any wedding bliss updates please follow along with me!


     My post this week involves Alan's theme (sort of) although, how do you follow an alarm clock with a fragment of a German shell lodged inside of it?  The main keyword is really, "time" followed by wars and or weddings, imagine that!

If you too want to follow along in time from way back when go here http://sepiasaturday.blogspot.com/2011/04/sepia-saturday-72-30-april-2011.html

On the subject of time and royalty.....I think time really stands out like a sore thumb from this photo taken for "The Plain Truth - a magazine of understanding " ( I discovered this complete copy within my grandmother's scrapbook treasures) and this publication was printed by the Ambassador College, Pasadena, CA. and it's founder then, Herbert W. Armstrong and it was published in July 1981 around the time of that all important wedding for Prince Charles.....

My how TIME really stands out in this photo wouldn't you agree? 



Charles, Prince of Wales, beaming with all the warmth of Britain's monarchy, and inside this publication quite a collection on the art of photography in an outdoor setting and more, as the Prince reflects his personal happiness as well as his father's special concern for the natural environment.


Now that we've imagined time....... and a brief touch on war.....we close with.... "The, or rather A Wedding.....  One very important thing that you will witness through photography of long ago....is their continued use of demonstrating within their photographs the importance of that photograph.   I always find it so rewarding within the Minnesota History Center and the endless hours of scanning through their unbelievable supply of all things past.

The Wedding, documented proof is in the groom's hands, taken about 1889 at Lake Calhoun in Minneapolis.  - Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society.

So, if you too want to share some Sepia passages of time or anything else why not visit Sepia Saturday.

Six Word Saturday - 6WS April 30

Hello on this last day of April.  Really?  It feels more like February in Michigan......and that feeling of being Alaska in Minnesota is getting really old.......  So, I need some real word power!  If you do too, and want to share your life in SIX WORDS with us please go here  http://www.showmyface.com/2011/04/six-word-saturday_30.html


I KNOW WHAT THINGS ARE GOOD



Living fully and enjoying my life --Love, friendship, work, food, nature, conversation --  Hope and joy comes from our relations -- in living life and keeping our memories alive.....

I read a fantastic quote,  "Life without a friend is death without a witness." -- Spanish proverb

and you know what, friends are where life's true wealth lives. 

Yes The Kiss Happened! But what about The Trees!

Okay enough people......even my daughter's step-mother-in -law has posted "The Kiss" on her Facebook page....really?

       So in honor of what other special grand day it is today.....ARBOR DAY (USA)  my youngest son gave to me this darling little tree ...planted with his very own hands in a pot on our deck.....I thank you Danny, and someday this little tree so happy to be....... will be enormously thanking you from another location somewhere off the deck.......... Happy Arbor Day everyone! 

Really, it's all about......The kiss of life for yet another tree to carry the burden of too much snow but be happy for it!  We love you trees everywhere!

I thank you Danny for this wee little tree, and one day this tree will enormously thank you too when it's all grown up and out of this planter......living amongst the other big trees ready for heavy amounts of white stuff and kitties dancing around it!

I'm a Red Pine seedling of course!

Thematic Photography # 144, Happiness is

Greetings out there...... are you thruming like a live wire......and does this post catch you raving abundantly with an inchoerence of joy and simply......ecstatically jubilant over another new day!  Of course and why not as it's Friday and last night TP posted it's new theme being....... "Happiness is..."  if you care to share in some happy, sappy or flappy kind of happy of your own just go here please
http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2011/04/thematic-photographic-144-happiness-is.html

I may not be whole, but I'm given to poetic enthusiasm, for a life well lived, and I'm untouched by any long ago recklessness, since today I stand here full of insatiable beauty carved in stone and pleasantly humble just for you to view my amusement of watching all who pass by....

Flower powered with enthusiasm so bright it's swimming in a scented sensation amongst a wildly primitive explosion of life....and blossoms......

A family gathering as the pleasures are many and we're feeling an uncrushable enthusiasm...flying kites and laughing until they get caught in a tree....quick someone come set them free!

Tell me, how could life be more happy then this?

Whimsical Wednesday wk 23 Apr 27 - May 3

Welcome to another whimsy kind of post....
especially for Whimsical W ed N esday!  If you fill the imaginary push of something whimsy shimsy just go here
http://dthaase-lines.blogspot.com/p/whimsical-wednesday.html



Twas once a clown named Sox, and this is Sox!


I once knew a clown

Who never wore a frown
Pleasing everyone in town.


Once, from a land of tall oaks, or Quercus
This silly-frilly-dilly-clown joined a circus
This silly-frilly-dilly-clown named Sox.


Along with Sox
This silly-frilly-dilly-clown named Sox
Came a blue-shoebox
With something so heavy inside this blue-shoebox
Left for the circus
Outside of Castle Firkas.


What’s inside this blue-shoebox?
Waiting for Sox?
the silly-frilly-dilly clown from the circus
Could it be his cousin Alfred Burkas?


Alfred Burkas who
Sox knew
Lived inside this very blue-shoebox
Being a funny cousin of this silly-frilly-dilly-clown
Who never wore a frown
and either did Alfred Burkas


So this silly-frilly-dilly-clown named Sox
who never lived in a blue-shoebox
Oh no, that would just irk us
If he lived in a blue-shoebox
Because this silly-frilly-dilly-clown named Sox
is the life of the circus!

From Seats to Thespian Mayors!

Heading to the lake......these lovely seats begging for hot sunshine ...on........well on any lake.  This serves as my second and last post for this week's Thematic Photographic theme please take a seat......

..... Now about this morning........It was a cold and rainy, bumper to bumper commute right in the middle of rush hour......again...so yeah I know the drill.....and LATER to honor the sun coming out this afternoon......I have an interesting little story I heard on the radio .....while stuck in traffic....and yes it has to do with our Saint Paul Mayor!

They call him a "Thespian now....but in truth (poet or not) Saint Paul is lucky to have Mayor Chris Coleman .....they actually aired his delightfully funny speech on the air and it went like this...(and  some of you may remember Erma Bombeck using the beginning).... He begins in a slow, easy voice much like Bill Murray only much happier.....
"Somebody somewhere said that finding a pimple on a wrinkle is like the cruelest joke mother nature can play on you.  But, let me tell you from personal experience it's not.  Worse
yet, is having to declare a snow emergency and a flood emergency on the same day for your city!"
Yes , it did happen, of course this year with our incredible dragged out winter of 2010-2011!

Okay, if you're not laughing, guess you had to be there....and completely going bonkers from the stop and go and stop and go rainy morning commute.....and so to make the gloom disappear one can simply dream of going to the lake.....!

Can Anyone Offer Directions?

Asked the bird, "I fear I've lost my way...." But nobody answered.....not one of at least fifty birds watching from a single tree...not even one of the geese flying overhead.....and the rain had disappeared before we knew it.   Just another day unlucky for worms but great for catching birds in mid-flight.... all with the purpose to live lightly.......

Life is good.......

Come, Stop and Smell the Flowers

Please forgive the cell phone photo......   It's a rainy day in St. Paul, and when it's dark and gloomy, and especially while it's raining outstide.....take a visit inside Como Park's Conservatory, where there is something more you'll never discover outside.  

Inside the Conservatory there are no faint whiffs; only incredible and extravagent scents of sweet intimate floral spreads......and the most wondrous fragrances from so many luscious flowers to be had by all that roam about......

The Conservatory in St. Paul....at Como Park....where you can ride a carousal and visit an incredible zoo too!

   Our constant delay of spring has turned my world upside down...... and on this rainy-blue-day this quote comes to cheer away all the grey.....

    The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. ("Do you hear that Mother Nature?")
The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.  -  Marcus Aurelius
...and so....that being said,

The great virtue in life is real courage that knows how to face facts and live beyond them.  - D. H. Lawrence
                                  Spring, spring come bring what may
                                  Come to light and make our day
                                  Spring, spring come bring what may
                                  Oh please I say...
                                  We all want to run and play

                                  and sing, it's spring, it's spring
                                  and life is never boring
                                  now that you've come our way
                                  we're all so happy it's spring
                                  and hop up in the morning to play!

Saturday Centus - A Picture Challenge

Welcome to Bunny Land! this 51st week of SATURDAY CENTUS!  Jenny has offered relief from last weeks blunder?  No way, I had great fun didn't you????   Jenny has offered for us one delightfully silly blue bunny with his bunny ears standing tall...oh the stories that could hop out of this photo prompt...but I'll go easy... and very PG......not too ...well never scary....maybe a bit Sci-fi, maybe...nothing bad... all in the name of good bunnyish fun right!  Thanks Jenny since time is short today...I needed this great photo prompt!  Easy as being a blue bunny eating Trixs out of a cereal box!  LOL

If you want to hop on over just go here

http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/2011/04/saturday-centus-picture-challenge.html

     Once upon a time from somewhere on planet Rabbitari lived many bunnies, and Bunny Idol. Nobody denies that Mr. Fox created the Bunny Idol show. Following this show closer like a fox hunting it began to make utter sense. Admittedly, bunnies can’t really perform; except for those jumping out of top hats. Sure they hop, leap and wiggle their ears but what a silly bunny rabbit this one is, fully clad in blue pajamas. Really, what can he do?

      Oh, he delightfully sings, ”Skip, skip, ....skip to my bunny, ...shoo fox shoo, bunnies in the patch...... where are you, .....skipping with my bunny!
     

 So why not hop on over right now before you consume too much bunny fun????

Thematic Photographic # 143 Please Be Seated

Why not.....sit down for a bit.... Please Be Seated ......as the new theme for this week is from Written Inc. blog by Carmi.....!  If you have the urge, (I know you do) then hop on over to this smart link
http://writteninc.blogspot.com/2011/04/thematic-photographic-143-please-be.html

Just a random kitty on a stroll while vacationing......

"I am a very content cat.  Just happy to watch my world pass by...in hopes of something worthy enough to jump down and chase perhaps..." said the cat.

Please be seated and welcome to our world....

There is something so swell about sitting still after a good hard rain in the woods.......

Please do...be seated...for the moment .....all the seats are open....

In a short while there will be singing....and more singing.....

"A throne is only a bench covered with velvet."  - Napoleon Bonaparte

Everywhere we went, there were places for sitting...and reflecting...and living along the trails of life's happiness....

Six Word Saturday 6WS 23 April

Good Saturday rainy morning!  Welcome to another of Cate's Six Word Saturday to lift us up and away....you can check out Cate's blog from Show My Face here
http://www.showmyface.com/2011/04/six-word-saturday_23.html

      
       WE    MUST    BEGIN 
      WHEREVER  WE  ARE



lIKE...............

       
   Helping Kids for Saving Earth Club


or     Not putting off those important things!


and  "Pay it forward to someone now!"


Ready to.............. describe your life in six words?

Sepia Saturday 71 23 April 2011

Welcome to another Sepia Saturday during this Easter time holiday.......Following Alan's theme for all things Easter...... I have a mix of photos and old postcards to share!  I hope everyone has a blessed Easter!

If you want to see what this Sepia Saturday is about just go here

http://sepiasaturday.blogspot.com/2011/04/sepia-saturday-71-23-april-2011.html

An Easter Egg Hunt, in Logan Park, Minneapolis, about 1923.  Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society.

Could these boys have more fun?  Look closely those are real eggs too!

Easter card

The other side of this postcard is quite interesting....can you understand what it says?

This postcard below is from Spearfish, South Dakota

Passion Play Setting, Spearfish, South Dakota

This view shows a partial panorama of the stage where thrice weekly throughout the summer season world famous Christus portrayer, Joseph Meier presents the Biblical drama with a cast of hundreds.
        In 1932 Joseph Meier brought from Germany the Luenen Passion Play to settle permanently in Spearfish and to become the Black Hills Passion Play.  He continued in the role of Jesus for six decades before his death in 2007.   Soon after his death the amphitheater and all 23 acres were sold.

A boy and his cart in search of the ...."Easter Bunny?"





A determined lad with his cart and animals in search of hidden eggs...Courtesy of The Minnesota Historical Society

This post card was sent in 1912 to Carrie Durrow of Lake Elmo, Mn.


Clara mailed this in 1912

Easter Greetings sent to Minnesota from Pasadena, California April 3, at 5:30 P.M.with a 1 cent stamp.
The card reads:

Easter Greetings
 When teeming nature replenishes
the earth at Easter, may she
scatter seeds of gladness
in your life.

Next another old time post card - Postkarte - Carte postale

From one, Dear Sister to another?

This post card was printed in Germany.... and below is the other side to this "A Happy Easter"

Penmanship was not this sister's strong suit!

My last old time photo post card is a 3-D and one of my favorites....

Oops!  What do you call this?  A black duckling?

When I was eleven years old my sister passed away the day after Easter, so for me ever since then it holds a bitter sweetness.  Perhaps that is why I so enjoy the memory of Easter with little chicks, a rabbit that loves to hide eggs, coloring my own eggs and one of my favorite gifts from my grandparents over seas....was a bunny (appeared to be made of soap) but once you unwrapped it and set it on the table everyday fur would grow, thicker and thicker!  I've never been able to find them these days, but the memory is very sweet.

May happiness follow you all in everything you do this Easter, and everyday!

finishing quote....

Certainly this quote makes much sense.... and somewhat sums up my feelings around Easter.  "Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith looks up...." Guideposts

Reward Offered, if you dare

              I should be back in Minneapolis tomorrow.......searching for my most favorite gigantic chocolate bunny ever........so many Minnesotans (and tourists) enjoy....the real kind...well sort of......I'm sure by now someone removed his hats and scarf, surely they did............while I know he won't be wearing swimming wear yet (did I ever mention we're still not sure if he's a boy or a girl?)
        This post is an all points bulletin, (is that how it's said?) and jelly beans (spiced or not) will be given to he or she that sends first proof (like proof of evidence) that winter has officially left our favorite bunny's grounds.....I can hardly wait to visit our sweet chocolate (?) bunny!

Searching for, spring.......what else?

Have you ever seen such big brown darling eyes before?

Whimsical Wednesday wk 21 April 20 - 26

Welcome to Whimsical Wednesday!     Once upon a morning in an "Easter-Bunny-Garden" (outside my front door)  I spotted a very delightful Four-leaf clover patch and ....see if you can spot the busy bunnies and their friend Duck at play! 
 If you want to play along with us just go herehttp://dthaase-lines.blogspot.com/p/whimsical-wednesday.html
      All drawing has been put on hold while I'm off dancing to the Bunny Hop Song....

The Bunny Hop Song



The ears on the bunny go “flop, and flop,
Flop and flop, flop and flop”
The ears on the bunny go “flop and flop”
All through the woods…


The feet on the bunny go “hop and hop
Hop and hop, hop and hop”
The feet on the bunny go “hop and hop,”
All though the woods…


The tail on the bunny goes “Swish and swish,
Swish and swish, swish and swish”
The tail on the bunny goes “Swish and swish”
All the way to your house!
....sending you a Happy Easter Wish!

An Award (The Versatile Blogger) For Me

Yeah!  Oh happy blogging day!   What a pleasant surprise to log on and see this gift in my comments last evening....! I received it from Debra Ann at the.....Writing with Debra blog...at
http://debragrayelliott.blogspot.com/2011/04/versatile-blogger-award.html

       Of course in order to receive this fine award there are the usual things one must do to collect this grand honor!   First I must share 7 things about me.....

    Seven things you may not know about me,

1.  I enjoy unplanned road trips...come what may style!
2.  I crave evening art classes
3.  Hanging out at the U of M is exhilarating
4.  another fave thing is spending time in Linden Hills, and bringing someone there for their first visit.
5.  Designing odd artsy little things
6.  cooking old favorite dishes in new delectable recipes and pouring over my new "Sugarbaby Recipe book"
7. I still dream of one day being a funny birthday party clown

Now I must bestow this wonderful award to 15 special bloggers......which is an extremely hard thing to do as there are soooooooooo many unbelievable blogs I follow!

1.   JJ at         http://thedisconnectedwriter.blogspot.com/ 
2.  Galen at     http://10stepstofindingyourhappyplace.blogspot.com/

3.  Bob at       http://bobscotney.blogspot.com/
4.  http://crazyasacoolfox.blogspot.com/
5.  http://www.titaniumvertical.com/
6.  http://forestwalkart.blogspot.com/2011/04/glitch-in-cyberspace.html
7.  Max at ....It's about the Journey
8.  Cathy at Living the Rural Life
9.  Sage at .....Musings
10. Judie at ....Rogue Artists
11. Pats Posts
12. Snowcatcher
13. Darlin at .....My Life For a Year
14.  Jenny Matlock
15.  Vintage Postcards

Thanks again Debra for allowing me to have this outstanding award!