Who doesn't love dragonflies and flowers and puppy dog eyes?

I have been enjoying my camera more and more these days. Before I had a digital camera I was often disappointed with my shots, now I can shoot to my hearts content and be playful with it too. And I usually get a few good ones!
Lately I have been playing around with close-ups. I especially like the close-up of Roxy's eye.

I promise not to complain that it has been raining for four days straight!

Big, Beautiful Roxy!

I am so excited to tell you, to tell anyone who will listen, that beautiful Roxy is now officially my very own Newfoundland dog! She has been living on this beach for as long as I have, she grew up playing with my beloved Moses and we have both missed him terribly this past year. Her true owner has grown, moved to Alberta and has started a family of his own and feels that Roxy is better off staying on her beach. I am delighted to have her!

I just love her coat but it is so matted, actually felted, I tried to tease out the dreads but quickly realized it wasn't working out too well, plus Roxy wasn't happy either, so it will need to be sheared off. Roxy is eager to please and is just the sweetest dog!

I wish you a happy summer solstice too!

Dandelions hail in the Summer!

Just a few days ago the air softened and took on a decided turn towards warmer weather. You can feel it on your skin and smell it in the air, summer is here! And every where you look you see dandelions!
I was watching my little hero in most things, Sage, playing in the dandelions. She was in search of the biggest flowers she could find to make her mother a special bouquet (Niki is recovering from knee surgery). Sage is a fellow artist, so when there is an opportunity I try to encourage her to look at things closely. We talked about the many petals in the dandelion and the subtleties of yellows in the petals. I had to laugh because after that I became suddenly fascinated with this most humble yet beautiful flower... that most of us call weeds.

A Tonic For the Blues

Jan Morrison from labanan.blogspot.com issued a challenge to think of some small things that color your world a little bit brighter on a cold, rainy, summer will never get here, spring day. My very first thoughts were of my sweet friends, Sage and Malach. Admittedly they are of utmost importance, but still a visit with them can bring me out of the worst moods the moment I walk through the door. Over the winter we sang 'Kungfu Fighting' almost everyday, today Malach was singing it word for word on his own, well he is only four ya know.

My buddy, Hobbes, has been with me for twelve years. He is a lover really, he likes to cuddle and ride on my shoulder. He would sleep on my head if I let him, but I don't let him.

Our Annie is a princess, delicate and beautiful. She follows me all over the house and wants to be on my lap whenever I am at the computer. She especially enjoys yoga and music.

Pepper you have met a few times, she is just too cute for words and we are so happy she came to love us.

Sometimes to my delight, Roxie, our neighborhood Newfoundland dog, will be on my back doorstep for a visit. Often she will stay for the day. She rocks!

And then of course there is the wildness of my beach. Each day there is something to delight me and lift my mood.

Now I understand why Jan specified a 'small thing', as I sit here thinking of all the things that help brighten my days, a new follower on my blog, a message from an old friend always brings a smile, making a new friend, joining FB and all of a sudden realizing how very connected I am to the outside world, George having a surprise day off, my orchids sending up new shoots, seeing a whale in our bay... well you start to get the picture. And so do I, how blessed am I.

Happy Mother's Day

To my mother and to

all of the loving and nurturing women out there, Happy Mother's Day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MALACH!!!!!

Today Malach turned four! We have had a great winter together. My days with him are numbered as his mom's work is seasonal, but we had some wonderful times! As you can see he is into dragons, just one of many interests. Actually Sage, Malach and I had a hand in making these awesome dragon puppets.

Like a silent prayer

This has been a difficult winter emotionally. There has been unspeakable sadness within my family, my closest cousin and best friend lost her youngest daughter. In my circle of friends, teenage daughters lose their mother, in my little town a mother loses her nine year old daughter, and then there is Japan and all that sorrow too. My emotions have been close to the surface and I have been quietly waiting for my equilibrium to return. I have found solace in the beauty and love that surround me. And though it is officially spring, here in Newfoundland there is still snow on the ground. Before I say good-bye to winter I want to share some of my favorite winter images with you.