* THE FIRST DAY OF AUTUMN? *

Hello All ~

Although tomorrow, September 22nd is the first day of autumn, it certainly doesn't feel that way in my little part of this great big world. In fact, we're having a heat wave...We did have cooler temps here and there a while back, but we knew it wasn't time yet for that to continue. It's been 90⁰F + here, plus very humid! I am SO ready for my favorite season to return...and fast.

Hopefully, to help make it feel a bit cooler, here are some favorite photos I've taken over the past few years:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~~~~~

 

 

 

I found this quote online somewhere

and it just spoke to me...

 

Goodnight!

 



* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday!

 

 

 

Yay! It's October and we've finally had some cooler temperatures here at the new homestead. I LOVE fall, as I've expressed many, many times on my blog! The leaves aren't changing colors yet, so I'm posting photos from times past....thus, the Nostalgic Sunday post. :)

 

 

 

 

These three pictures were taken on November 13, 2012...almost four years ago. It seems like a lifetime ago, and it seems like just the other day. Our lives were in the midst of changes, big changes, and the downsizing began.

 

 

I miss that house sometimes, and the happy memories that were made there, but one of the best things about "happy" memories, is that they go along with you, no matter where you are.

 

When I think all the way back to every house/apartment I ever lived in, I miss every one of them for various reasons(except the two crappy apartments in Germany...thank goodness we lived in nice ones the majority of those years) And even during those years of unhappiness and loneliness spent with my first husband...I have fond memories of the places we lived, because I enjoyed so much of how I made each of them into a "home." Does that make sense?

 

I've told Ron many times over the years that I would be happy living anywhere with him, no matter how small or old the place might be, and that's how it's always been and I know it always will be.

 

 (P.S. The new background photo is one I also took around the same time.)

 

 

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." - L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

* YIKES, IT'S NOVEMBER *

As most people my age seem to say these days.....

Time is flying by way too fast.

I can't believe it's ________ ! (fill in the month)

Why can't time drag by, the way it did when we were kids?

I certainly say all those things and more. One of my favorites is:

Poster from the 1966 movie, "Stop the World. I Want to Get off."

Alas, that's not possible, and besides, if it WAS, where would I go?? I guess I'd just float around in space, and that would be awful. That wouldn't accomplish anything! So, I've learned to stop thinking (too much) about the passing of time, and just enjoy the Here and the Now as much as I possibly can.


Below are some photos I took about a week ago along the boardwalk where Vern and I go for our strolls. I'm so happy that I did, because the leaves were at their peak! Since then, it's been rainy and windy and the leaves are falling....and I love to walk through them, making crunching noises! Yes, I'm still a kid at heart!

* If you click on each photo, you'll see a much larger view.

"Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” - -  Lauren DeStefano, Wither

* A BRIGHT, AUTUMN BACKGROUND *

                        ♪ The falling leaves drift by my window.
                                     The falling leaves of red and gold. ♪

Ahh, I love autumn! It's my favorite time of the year, and today I decided to add some glorious fall colors to my background. This photo is one of the trees in our front yard in November 2012. (We've since moved, but I get to see thousands of beautiful leaves in my new neighborhood, too.)

It may be a bit "too busy" for my background, but I won't have it up for very long. Soon it will be time for another change, as in the changing leaves...!

Ba-Dum tssshhh...Rim Shot!

 

 

 

I hope to be back to blogging sometime soon. I miss everyone very much!

 

 

 

 

 

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." - L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables



Autumn Bliss - Part 2

Hello Everyone!

As I wrote on Monday's post, I'm sharing some photos taken during our walk.....Vern and I. 

I started taking them as soon as we left our house. Some of them aren't very good, but I'm surprised they're not all one big blur! I managed to get Vern to stop for a second or two when I wanted to take a picture. The two of him in front of me with the outstretched leash were taken while we walked. That was  a bit hard to do! Sometimes he's on a real mission to get to where we're going, and other times he zigzags, stops and sniffs. (I also want to point out that I always carry a little Doggy Do-Do baggie. We don't leave anything behind to show that we were there!)

A couple of the pictures had to be cropped a little more than I really wanted to do, but I also wanted to get rid of street names.

As you can see, we live in a newer neighborhood, where some of the trees are quite small. Everywhere I drive, though, is prettier than the next. I could practically run off the road just looking from tree to tree! (Don't worry, I'm kidding, but I do take in as much of their beauty as I can!)

This last picture is of our neighbor's tree which is right next to our driveway. Our garage is there on the left. When the wind blows, the leaves just flutter down from it and it's like a dream world. I just have to get a picture of that!

* The photos will enlarge if you click on them.*

"Listen to the trees as they sway in the wind. Their leaves are telling secrets...." -- Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration

* Random Thoughts *

As a woman who is forgetful on a daily basis, and semi-confused quite often, I'm happy to announce that I do indeed know that today is a Tuesday and it's November 8th. 

I'd lost track of time for a few days, but I think I've got it straightened out now! With The Ronald having surgery on the 1st day of the month, and it being the day after Halloween, time spun out of control for a while. I'm pretty sure I've got things under control....but don't hold your breath.

Here are my latest random thoughts:

** Why does a Tire Shop give out appointments...say for 4:00pm, and the customer (me) is there until almost 6:00pm? I am grateful that they could fix my flat and didn't tell me I needed a new one. BUT, they also said I needed a new air filter, which I saw, and it was filthy, so I said Yes. Wouldn't you think they'd tell the customer (me) that the filter had to be delivered to them and it would take forever?? Oh well....such is life.

** After I left the Tire Shop, I stopped at Bed, Bath & Beyond, (since it was nearby) hoping to find two little plugs or drain stoppers that I wanted so badly. Remember my post from Nostalgic Sunday, sharing my thoughts & photos about the little things in life that make me happy? Well, for the sum total of $5.97, I bought them! I could've danced right out of that store. And my aggravation at the Tire Shop...What aggravation? I'd finally got my two little drain stopper thingys! (I even took pictures, but then changed my mind about posting them!)

** While listening to my car radio during my errands, I was reminded once again that some singers and/or groups should really not sing Christmas Carols. Yikes! Or at least make better song choices. A couple of times I couldn't hit the Off button fast enough. (and yes, we have a local station that began playing all Christmas music recently.)




(photo taken by Becky Povich)

This is a tree in our front yard. Aren't the colors glorious?
I truly believe I've witnessed many more wondrous trees this autumn, then ever before.

** I'll announce the winner of Melissa's book tomorrow, so if anyone wants to still be in the drawing, leave a comment on last Wednesday's post. **

Welcome to my newest follower: Just Stuff from a Boomer! I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!



"There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day." -- Alexander Woollcott

* Nostalgic Sundays *

It's time for another Nostalgic Sunday.

Today's post isn't technically about nostalgia,
 but it's about little things that make me happy.

Writerly coffee mugs!
(Saturday Writers is the local writing group I've been the president of this year.)

Chocolate covered strawberries - Yum!

Beautiful fall foliage, even on a rainy day.
I took this picture from inside my laundry room.
I purposely wanted to capture the rain drops on the window.

"Cheapie" earrings from Walmart -- $2.88. (no kidding)

Same as above: $2.88

These photos don't do the earrings justice. They are really beautiful. I've never seen such nice ones for such a small price! I just happened to notice different earring displays as I walked down the aisle and couldn't believe my eyes when I looked at the price. 

I've told girlfriends over the years that whenever I'd feel a little down and needed an inexpensive pick-me-up, I'd head to the earrings in various department stores at the mall. I'd usually find a pretty pair on sale for less than $10.00 and I'd be a happy gal! BUT, to find such gorgeous ones for $2.88!...Well, I just had to go crazy and buy TWO pair!

(All photos taken by me except for the Taylor family in Mayberry. That was found in Google.)

Aunt Bee would be so proud of me and my frugality!

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." ~ Robert Brault

*I'm so proud to say that Robert Brault is a friend of mine. He is a genius, yet kind and humble, and so encouraging to others. Click on his name to go to his blog. Read some of his hundreds of quotes and sayings and maybe purchase his new calendar and/or note cards. I have them both and they are delightful.*

Finally Feeling Like Fall: Frost on the Punkin'

If you have your sound on, you'll notice I have only one song.."Baby it's Cold Outside", by Dean Martin. I love his version. I chose it because....baby, it's cold here!! It finally feels like fall...and you know I'm loving it!

I'm almost embarrassed because of all the wonderful comments I've been getting lately. Truly! I feel a need to clear up a couple of things. First of all, the two anthologies I just posted covers of, are not two brand new acceptances. I wrote about them previously, but this was the first I had the covers to show. So, I don't have as many acceptances as it may have appeared!

Pertaining to NANOWRIMO, I'm really honored and pleased that some of you have already asked to buddy-up with me, but I don't think I qualify to "really" participate. As I said in today's earlier post, "I decided it's a fantastic challenge, so I'm going for it, in my own little way." Since I'm already way into my memoir, I can't actually count it as a new book and all that. I just want to participate, on my own, to try to get the words flowing faster, easier, etc! I didn't mean to mislead anyone. All of you who have signed up....please keep us posted on your blogs!

I'm really on a roll as far as getting all my other "office work" taken care of before Monday arrives. The bills, junk mail, notes to myself, actually doing and crossing off some of those notes to myself, etc. I have all day tomorrow and most of Sunday (except when the Rams game is on TV!) to get it all completed. Most of Saturday will be taken up at the Saturday Writers workshop, from 10:00 to 3:00. I'm really looking forward to that. We're having guest speakers, and there will be lots to learn. Plus, what's better than spending all that time with fellow writer friends?

As you may have noticed, I never got around to getting any more photos taken of the beautiful fall leaves. There are two bloggers who've posted some breathtakingly gorgeous pictures of the trees in their area. You may want to stop by and enjoy them. One is Dancing With Daisy. Daisy lives in Ohio and posts lots of pretty photos.....trees, sunsets, her town. Also, there is Susan at Writing Straight from the Heart. Susan, too, posts beautiful pictures...and pertaining to the fall foliage....she lives in New England!! Oh yeah!

I also came across more Calls for Submissions and Contests that I want to share, but I'll save that for tomorrow's post. Have a blissful evening or day, depending on your part of the world! That is so amazing to think about all the people and places....and we are united right here on our computers and laptops! Wow!


"There comes that mysterious meeting in life when someone acknowledges who we are and what we can be, igniting the circuits of our highest potential." -- Rusty Berkus