Family

Family.

Some of you are fortunate to all live in the same city.  Generation after generation.  Coming together for weddings, funerals, births, baptisms, graduations, holidays, weekends at the shore.
Unfortunately, our family is scattered about.  Alaska, Utah, Iowa, Ohio, Virginia, Florida.  So family get-togethers rarely happen.  But when they do, it is great!

We had a grandson graduating in Iowa this past weekend and took that opportunity to fly to Cincinnati to visit grandchildren before heading on to Des Moines for the graduation.  We packed a lot of activity into those 4 days.  Grandsons' baseball games, museums, movies, board games, ice cream, pizza, pizza and more pizza!

Our daughter-in-law asked if I would take their family photos at a park before the graduation ceremonies.  "Of course", I said, only to stress myself out over it.  I can shoot birds, landscapes, beaches, skies, buildings  But people??  I'm so awful at it!  I definitely need more practice.  Thank goodness I have a arsenal of editing programs to clean up my poor images.

With that said, I'll share some with you.  All grandkids --8 boys, 1 girl -- except for one, made the cut.  He was busy working ... saving up for that car.

Family.

Part of something bigger than ourselves.

Where we will love and be loved.

No matter what.

Breathe

What is it about a rose 

that makes you want to

climb into its soft fragrance

and smile.

(I think the honey bees know!)

~ ~ ~

A Spa Visit

Over the last several days, I've been organizing and editing photos, which seems to always be an endless task, and realized I had not shared this humorous Yellow-Crowned Night Heron who visits us at our home in Anna Maria.

He stops by occasionally and has taken a liking to our spa,

sitting there for 15-20 minutes.

Guess he likes the warm water!

He always keeps his eye on me, 

making sure I keep my distance.

And I do.  

I totally respect his privacy!

Once he steps out of the spa, he spends about 5 minutes shaking and drying off.

As well as clearing the taste of the chlorine from his mouth!

Nasty stuff!

After a bit, he hops over to the side of the pool ....

 And saunters down to the dock to continue more air-drying time.

And then some bug eating time.

I like our little visitor.  

As long as he doesn't bring more guests!

(P.S. The house feels so empty now with the passing of Kramer.  Such a gentle and old soul kitty, he will always be in our hearts.  Thank you for all your wonderful comments.  It was very comforting!)

Ode to King Kitty Kramer

His chest moves rhythmically as he sleeps.  Aside from my computer, I'm keeping close company with Kramer today. He lies at my feet and purrs away my sorrow as I reach down and stroke his soft fur.  Today is my last day with him.  Kramer has been living with a chronic illness for a while now and today we will say goodbye to him before his illness turns to suffering. 

Kramer was a rescue kitty along with his sister, Zoey, who passed a number of years ago.  He was never a lap kitty, but more dog like in his behavior, sitting at our feet under the dinner table or lying bedside in the evenings.  Cautious and careful, Kramer would hiss at brooms or vacuum cleaners and run from heavy footsteps.  Always affectionate, he loved head rubs and would greet me in the mornings with a kitty mew hello or a pawing at the sheets to inform me his food dish was empty.  

Other times, I would awake to the gift of his fave toy, a little yellow duckie by my bedside.  He taught us to throw water in the shower for him to drink, to never let his food bowl go empty and that persistent head bumps should be met with a kitty massage.

Kramer will enjoy his last breath in our backyard surrounded 

by chatty birds and the sounds of mother nature.  

As it should be.  

He will feel our love as his heart stops. 

Kramer. King Kitty Kramer.  Kitty Kitty. 1997-2013.

My heart aches with your loss.

Sweet sweet spring

We had a gorgeous weekend here and sometimes images

 are just better than words.

It was perfect to enjoy all the sweet fragrances and bird songs

that spring has to offer. 

Isn't Spring awesome?!