Experience More and Critters

 I hope you're all staying warm during this strange weather we're all experiencing.

Welcome to another

 SATURDAY'S CRITTER Post

and I'm also posting to City Daily Photo.

Explore. Experience, and push beyond your usual limits.

Your Why Matters

Critters Matter.

Clearly animals know more than we think.

Animals are my favorite kind of people.

Explore, learn, see how other living beings live/survive. Step out of your everyday routine, not as something you have to do, but rather what you chose to do. Broaden your surroundings. 

Bring young people along.

"It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength." 

Maya Angelou

There is Power in Unity.

"I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot;

 together we can do great things."

Mother Teresa

K-9's are not just animals; they are partners who play a crucial role in public safety." 

K-9 Officers have a unique partnership and special bond, and their relationship is built on trust, loyalty and teamwork.

"It's not about finding meaning to your work and life; it's about bringing meaning to your work and life!"

Justin Jones-Fosu

My friend Karen's kitty cat at a birthday party! I couldn't resist her pose!

Surprise, surprise, the rare and uncommon critter to hold!

Can you spot one of my special Gnomes in the photo above?

Can you imagine this group of posters below that are currently on display in a Lakeville school have been opposed by some and will be brought to the school board for a decision to remove or allow?

Do you ever wonder sometimes, what kind of world do live in where these can be thought ill of?

Lately it seems I can't say this enough.

Your Why Matters.

What you do matters, but why you do it matters so much more.

Small acts of kindness and little things in everyday life have immense contributions.

We're all in this journey of life together. Every act that helps another is always important. 

After a Lions meeting on a frozen tundra of an evening while leaving the grocery store with coffee, milk and a loaf of bread I followed behind a woman carrying just a box of diapers and I felt the urge to say during our essential needs shopping on what was -12 below by saying, "We do this because of important things like coffee, milk and bread that we're out this late," and she exclaimed, Coffee! Oh, thank you I came for coffee too!"

Plan more outings before it's too late. Live with intention, Dare. Laugh. Share. Play. Listen Well. Talk to people. Practice wellness. Bring more kindness to wherever you go.

 Thanks for sharing time here and take good care of you.

Best of the Year

 City Daily Photo theme for January 2025 

is Best of the Year

Stillwater, Minnesota

(January 2024)

One of my favorite river towns.

A photograph is the pause button on life.

Ty Holland

"All You Need is Love."

"You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved."

Ansel Adams

Above photo is from downtown Stillwater.

One of my favorite pastimes is checking out the snow artists.

Adventures? Can't live without them.

"Let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure."

J. K. Rowling

Thanks for stopping by and gifting me with your thoughts.

Take good care of you.

Playfulness and Saturday's Critters

Why settle for mundane when playfulness is by more joyous for all.

"When fun gets deep enough, it can heal the world."

Welcome to

SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

and City Daily Photo 

post for today

My featured critter for today comes 

via a text from my sister-in-law's friendly visitor/beggar (?) on her patio this morning.

When is a gift not a gift?

(when the adorable beggar has an ulterior motive maybe)

A genuine gift for all of us comes with lights for everyone to see!

Don't you just love this time of year?

For it is in the giving that we receive. 

If you've ever watched these gift givers running about decorating and placing objects about to delight others than you'd know just how painstakingly they prepare these things just for you and me!

It's quite a sight to behold.

Thank you to all the decorators making our spirits bright wherever they go and wherever they may be!

So many caring folks everywhere we go. 

Making spirits bright yours and mine and theirs.

"It is important to remind yourself that this is not a race. Do what you can today. BE Present.

You will get where you are going. Progress happens in layers."

Audrey Kitching and me

"You are strong when you know your weaknesses. You are beautiful when you appreciate your flaws. You are wise when you learn from your mistakes."

Below are a couple of my little helpers.

Oh, the things they accomplish!

"I cannot stress enough how important it is to do silly, frivolous things that serve no other purpose than making you/others the stranger on your bus happy." 

Tiny Buddha 

Having passion for adventure is how the joy of one's life arrives often by new experiences or seeing things with new eyes. Changing your horizons, driving a new direction home is as welcoming as seeing a different sunrise in your own backyard.

Passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day and to have a new and different sun.

"I like old school things. Picnics, phone calls, dates, flowers, letters,

late night drives for nothing, catching all the Christmas lights all around the town, popcorn and bonfires and these are 

the things people call corny nowadays."

"Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen."

Remember happy are those that take it day by day.

Always give your positive energy away, you'll grow more. 

WE all have positive energy-tell yourself that every day.

and by being that person no matter who you are 

you've got this.

Tiny Buddha and me

"Being called weird is like being called Limited Edition.

Meaning you're something that people don't see that often.

Remember that."

Ashley Purdy

Be the person you were meant to be.

Love.

Free kisses!

Yummy food. Good conversation. Great company.

Fire in my heart and ice!

The Power of Joy.

Carry it everywhere you go.

Share it.

"I'm grateful to wake up and know I have another chance, 

and a new day."

Critters know this, do you?

Thanks for stopping by and gifting me with your comments/

Take good care of you 

Happy New Year 2025 is coming soon.

and please

 "People with childlike excitement, please don't lose your sparkle."

Yes, Virginia

"Life takes a bit of time and a lot of relationship."

William P. Young

A great quote to be lived daily.

"Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved."

Willaim P. Young

(I am truly blessed with all the animals in my life.)

Welcome to my post for

SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

and City Daily Photo

Mrs. Claus asks, "Santa Karina's on your nice list, right?"

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. I wonder how many children today have ever heard of this true story? 

Speaking of children, and Santa Claus here is one of those stories Frances Pharcellus Church was speaking about. 

For those families less fortunate than most of us, please let me introduce The Farmington Police Department and their Santa Claus story.

Their "Toys for Town" program that 2024 marks their 37th year running I'm sharing some photos from yesterday's wrapping! 

It's an annual toy drive organized by the FPD to help make the holiday season special for children in the Farmington community.

"Yes, Virginia there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! How dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias."

Francis Pharcellus Church 

"You don't play a game or color a picture with a child to show your superiority. Rather, you choose to limit yourself so as to facilitate and honor that relationship."

William P. Young quotes

"Don't ever discount the wonder of your tears. They can be healing waters and a stream of joy. Sometimes they are the best words the heart can speak." William P. Young

"The soul is healed by being with children."

and animals, nature walks and oceans wide.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky 

Please enjoy a few photos of Buggy in his puppy days.

It's got to be a pup conference.

"If anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished, and nothing will be the same again."

William P. Young

Thank you for visiting me today, and for your comments.

Take good care of you.

December Stroll and Critters

 Hello everyone and welcome to my post for

SATURDAY'S CRITTERS

and City Daily Photo

Rusty says Hello!

"The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up."

Mark Twain and (what your animals do all the time.)

"Know that deep inside you are resilient, brave and so much stronger and more powerful than your fears." 

Some of you may celebrate Saint Nicholas Day while others may be unaware. 

"Kindness is the true spirit of Saint Nicholas Day, where hearts are warmed, and lives are touched with love."

Your choices don't always have to be perfect. Remember growth comes from walking the wrong path and finding your own way back.

Be with those that bring out the best in you.

Not the stress in you.

"Positive thinking is more than just a tagline."

Harvey Mackay

"Never resist a generous impulse."

Paint that picture. Bake that pie.  

Write that story. Call an old friend.

and never laugh at anyone's dreams.

"Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something and has lost something."

H. Jackson Brown

"Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.

"The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today."

H. Jackson Brown Jr 

and "Doing your best means never stop trying." 

Benjamin Franklin 

Thanks for stopping by today!

Be the first to say hello and take good care of you.