Sunday, August 19, 2012

Brian and I found Neptune in the center of the Disney "resort" area of Hilton Head.  There were lots of shadows since it was the end of the day.  The flat area that Neptune stood on was a huge sundial.  We enjoyed figuring out the time clock based on the shadows.  



Sunday, August 5, 2012

Appreciation of Tree Leaves...

So, when I typed that title all sorts of things came to my mind, other than where I am planning to take this blog. 
 First, was how intricate they are..(remember in grade school, gathering all sorts of different leaves and then pressing them in waxed paper? )  to observe their shape, color, and vein structure?
Second thought was leaves in the fall. While its a lot of work to rake them, I still love to jump in them! The beautiful colors they display in the fall makes me appreciate my sight. 
A month or so ago, the electric department came by our house and informed my neighbor that several trees would have to come down, because there were branches in the lines. (okay, yes I didn't get the tree trimmed last year - I was a little tied up with Sweeties back surgery.) 
Anyway, she called me rather panicked and said, "Brenda, they are going to cut your tree down. Now he said that they will chop it up and take it away for you at no charge. (as if somehow that made it all okay!) You might want to come home."
Come to find out, they said they didn't need my permission to cut down or not cut down the tree. Snarl. I left work as quickly as I could and hurried home. I managed to get here before they cut our precious front tree down. 
(I've never been a tree hugger, but wow! I was that day!) After having an animated conversation with the guy holding a growling chain saw in my yard, it went silent. I explained I wasn't moving and neither was my tree. I would get it trimmed myself. He then tells me I have 72 hours to take care of it. If he comes back within that time frame he will take care of it. OOOOHHHH! I was NOT scared. 
Once I explained to Sweetie what fun things were happening in our front yard while we were at work, he agreed. We will take care of it ourselves. As a matter of fact that very afternoon my awesome father in law came out and trimmed it for us! Ha! Less than 24 hours later! DONE!
See? Almost no leaves. Back to my precious father in law. See in the upper left hand corner of the photo? He left me a few leaves!







This, I love!  Picture taken a couple of days ago.The leaves are coming back!  Pretty strong tree! It wasn't ready to call it quits and neither were we! 
It hasn't been a month yet, and its already starting over! Looking forward to a full tree again in the spring.


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

The Gazebo - Charleston, S.C.



 Each and every day time escapes us little by little. This trip took Sweetie and I down memory lane. Last time we were here Cory was almost 2. I haven't been able to place my hands on the picture that Sweetie took of little Cory and I 12 years ago. Come to think of it... I should have taken another one with him here this time. However, all I could think of was allowing the boys to explore it on their own. Letting each have time to enjoy it.
Cory walked around and pointed out the writing on the ceiling of the gazebo. "Nice Place."he said. Young man of many words..
His brother Brian, ever the entertainer...well the gazebo could be nothing else but a stage. I was thrilled to capture him dancing his time away!
We spent enough time in the park to watch a wedding party arrive and use it for their ceremony.  The whole process was rather quick as they were outta there in about 30 minutes or so.
The late afternoon shadows were creeping in as they rushed off to take photos all over town.
We also got to enjoy watching pelicans dive into the water after fish in the bay. Beautiful weather of low 80's and a slight breeze helped us during our walk about time.
It was a beautiful afternoon.