this is a test...

only a test...

it will self destruct in 10 seconds...

unless you head over to 

http://forestwalkart.blogspot.com/2011/06/candles-for-friend-berries-critters.html

my latest post from this morning that didn't get picked up by feeds.

anybody know of another blog hosting besides blogger?

too many frustrations here.

blahblahblah.

candles for a friend. berries. critters & misspelled sign.

as you know...
life has been just a little hectic lately...
my lip saga...
my friend in hospice...
my client base declining...

well...

these candles are for George.

my friend. 

his body had taken him as far as it could...in THIS journey.

yesterday...as i sat beside him...with one hand on his, and my other on his chest...

he left for another journey.

he went from the hospital to hospice...about a month ago.

i was there with him as much as i could possibly be.

at times...yes...i wondered if i could be doing TOO much.

but can a person do too much at a time like this?

he had no one else. no 'family' came to be with him.

in his final five minutes...in his worn and broken body...he looked so peaceful. 

his face...his breathing...his entire body...seemed to finally relax.

(in the center of the hibiscus)

"Perhaps they are not stars in the sky, 

but rather openings where our loved ones shine down 

to let us know they are happy." 

~ Eskimo Legend

oOo

this morning when i woke up...i felt as though i had a full body headache.

i had planned on getting up early...before dawn...my favorite time of day

to read blogs and work on my own.

BUT...i over slept.

(little green tree frog on wooden post in yard)

yesterday, after i got home from hospice...

and after i lit a candle for George...

sam and i went for a (4-wheeler) drive across the street...into the field.

THAT's always relaxing to me...riding along...feeling the wind in my face.

turning up the dirt and sand road that takes us into the field...
we noticed all the tracks...

(turkey. armadillo. 'possum.)

the wild blackberries are ready for picking now and the field is filled with them!

so after (carefully) picking a few handfuls...

and pulling the thorns out of our hands and jeans...

we took them home, washed 'em...munched on some...

and saved the rest for DRINKS later!

(our fav at home 'mixed' drink: sailor jerry rum & raspberry ice tea

with a squirt of pina colada mix)

NOW we can add a few fresh squished blackberries 

along with a few whole ones to soak up the drink...

for a treat when you get to  the bottom of the glass!

cheers!

today, sam and i are going for a drive.

i think i might stick my head out the window and let my ears flap in the breeze!

aaaaaaaaah.  that sounds so...cleansing...so dog-like.

now...i'll start working on getting things back to...

normal?    hmmmm...what's 'normal' for me. 

oOo

so...i leave you with a few pictures i've taken lately...
and hope you're having a good day!

(little wren making a nest in 'bird house' on front porch)

a very cool looking Anole...with his new 'air brushed' look...

sitting on the screen of our small outdoor 'screen room'.

 this is a newly emerged Cicada.

the nymph sheds it's skin...or molts...

and emerges as an adult Cicada.

found blue jay feathers in the yard.

obviously SOMETHING caught this bird. feathers were everywhere.

it's the way of nature...

(milo....how do you plead????)

this female cardinal in the front yard...looks...surprised!

(gulf fritillary on a yellow lantana)

oOo

 and so...here we are...what you've been waiting for...
ANOTHER  MISSPELLED sign...
E-MAILED TO ME FROM SUSAN at THIS 'n THAT .


please visit her blog for her adventurous day to day goings on,
in and around Victoria, Australia.

she snapped this picture while trying to find a place to park
in the small town of Nimmitabel, which is in New South Wales.

amazing!

and this is a sign obviously printed by the CITY!

from the person who did the type for this...

to the printer...

to the person who screwed it to the pole...

doesn't anyone know how to spell

PARALLEL!!??

YES, i admit it...it's one of those words that you might have to look up...

does it have 2 'R's'  or 2 'L's'???  

well...proofread...especially before it's gone to print!

Thanks Susan!!  this will be added to the 

'misspelled sign' page above.

oOo

'til next time...

"After you have exhausted what there is 

in business, politics, conviviality, and so on- 

have found that none of these finally satisfy or permanently wear-

what remains?   Nature remains."

~Walt Whitman

have a safe journey & enjoy the ride.
:] laura