PhotoHunt#5 - SmileySaturday#5 -Saturday9 #4

This week's theme: self (or part of me)

In 2005
I spent several months
reclaiming my front yard ...

see my left foot
(complete with toe rings I've worn for decades)

and my 'gloved hand' ...

It took WEEKS to eliminate the Korean Grass
from this 'rock bed' by hand ...

~ ~ ~

For those who may not know ... my front yard is small, but I have lots of flowers and two prolific citrus trees ... a Meyer lemon and a Bartender lime. I shared the 'yard reclamation' process in 4 parts ... here, here, here, and here.

(Click for others participating in Photo Hunt this week)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The phone rang last Monday evening and the 'readout' showed a name I didn't recognize, but something caused me to pick it up anyway. Interestingly (especially in light of the Saturday9 questions for last week and this ... all about high school experiences), I heard a voice asking for me using my maiden name. Forty-six years after my HS graduation, this is the second friend from those days to contact me (the first was through email a couple of months ago). We chatted for a little more than an hour and she gave me email addresses & phone numbers for a few mutual friends ... so perhaps I'll be reconnecting with more 'old friends' (can you hear Simon & Garfunkle singing in the background?) in the days, weeks, and months to come.

~ ~ ~

I'm a happy camper 'cuz
the French Open's 'TENNIS' does
keep me entertained for two
weeks with matches I can view
at my leisure thanks to my
DVR ... Behind, I'll try
catching up on visits while
multi-tasking with a SMILE!


Of course it is sad to see
Williams sisters out of the
tournament so early ... yet
new young players soon may get
opportunities to show
off their talent ... maybe go
all the way like Chrissy won
way back when ... That would be FUN!

Photo Source: Yahoo Sports

Radwanska's match with Cornet
exciting to watch today ...
Youzny against Verdasco
close as well ... while Almagro
battled against Murray and
Schneider got the upper hand
against Emily Loit ...
Intense competition! Ah
how I enjoy tennis when
players give their all to win!!!

Odesnik (a huge surprise)
fought Djokovic well with wise
strategy & skill ... 3rd round
match a loss, but Wayne's a sound
player to be watched in the
future. What delight to see
Matthieu defeat Schwank (who took
Moya out in 5 'by hook
and by crook' while 'cramping' ... Rules
changed because of Chang, but school's
out (at least for me) ... it seems
players use this as a means
all too often just to take
advantage of 'trainers' ... break-
ing the 'flow' of matches to
gain 'an edge' through much ado.


Chardy came from two sets down
to defeat Nalbandian ...
and as I watch 'time-delayed'
Tursenov must feel dismayed
being down two sets to him.
Once again, the veteran
player may be down and out
to a 'newby' on the scene ... about
to step up, making a name
for himself. I love this game!!!

Click for other participants in Smiley Saturday today.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This week's Saturday 9: Another High School Meme

1. Can you sing the fight song?
Yes I can ... wanna hear it? "Fight fight fight ... the Eagles have the ball ..."

2. Who was your favorite teacher?
Helen Webb who taught Business Machines (typing, shorthand, etc) ... classes I took during my Senior Year because I'd completed all my requirements for graduation by the time I was a Junior (at the age of 15) ... but didn't feel ready for college just then. I also worked as an aide in the Library and School offices ... making for an easy final year of HS ;--)

3. What was your school mascot?
the Eagle

4. Did you go to the Prom?
Yes ... and I wore a lovely blue and white utterly gorgeous formal floor-length gown

5. If you could go back, would you?
No ... been there, done that ... would NOT like to do it again, though it was okay at the time.

6. What do you remember most about graduation?
Actually, I don't remember much about graduation, but since it was 46 years ago in 1962 ... I'm really not surprised.

7. Where were you on Senior Skip Day?
In my day, there WAS no such thing. We went to school EVERY day ... no excuses ever!

8. Did you have a job your senior year?
My parents believed my job was to get an education, and that's what I did. My 1st job came the summer after graduation, before entering college ... and I was a playground director.

9. Where did you go most often for lunch?
Go? We weren't permitted to leave campus ... so I didn't go anywhere but the 'courtyard' where I ate lunch the lunch (I brought from home) with my friends.

(Click for others participating in Saturday 9 this week)

Thought for Today
"The past is never dead, it is not even past." William Faulkner

HF#43, OSI Week 13, 40PC - Later than usual because I'm multi-tasking today with Reflections, Perspectives & Priorities -- Tennis Anyone?

Recently Karen
mentioned she looked forward to
my 'tennis' updates

yet I have not shared
anything specific on
this year's French Open!

Rain delays slowed the
progress of participant's
matches early on

and my schedule
interfered with viewing much
on the DVR.

More than 18 hours
over the last few days wait
there for me to see

and I'm hoping to
multi-task ... watching as I
write & publish here.

~ ~ ~

American men
doing better than last year
in the 1st two rounds.

Blake, Rogers, and Fish
Ginepri and Odesnik ...
alive on Day 5!

Sam Querry lost to
Roger. Young & Spadea
'out' in the 1st round.

Andy Roddick pulled
out because of injury ...
didn't play at all.

~ ~ ~

Roger and Rafa
played at the same time but on
two different courts

yesterday it seems
and both have advanced to the
3rd round easily.

Sharapova has
struggled in early matches
but pulled through in three

sets. In last night's match
(one I'm watching now) she took
the 1st set 6-2,

but as it grew dark
play was halted at 2-3
... Mattek in the lead.

Ginepri battled
back to defeat Andreev ...
taking it in 4!

Leyton Hewitt took
Mardy Fish out in 3 sets
and Kuznetsova

won in her match with
Vana King ... Williams sisters
each won two matches.

I don't know much more
at this moment ... but perhaps
later on I will.

If you're following
the French Open please don't tell
me what I don't know

yet because I like
to find out myself without
knowing the results.

~ ~ ~

Week 13 - The prompt is Reflection

Thirteen weeks of prompts ...
I've responded with 18
Haiku images

6 Small Reflections
12 Sacred Ruminations ...
this will make 19

~ ~ ~

Visiting others
making new 'virtual' friends ...
blessings every one!

~ ~ ~

Taking 'stock' of my
progress in this morning's 'ku
leads me to conclude

I'm delighted with
challenges like OSI ...
S T R E T C H I N G perspectives

opening our minds,
hearts and imaginations
Sandy and Andrée

I appreciate
all you each contribute to
this community!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Of this week's challenge, Robin writes:

"So maybe I should've opted for the shorter title, "An ant's eye view", but since I've been away from the ol' blog, I'm trying to set titling records. I think I won.

This week's Friday's 40-or-less Photo Challenge is wide open for interpretation. All you've gotta do is come up with no more than 40 words to describe a response to the photo prompt."

Robin continues:

"Originally taken for "Project Looking Through", this picture never got posted, but I LOVED it! It would've been fun(ny) for someone to photograph ME lying on my back underneath the goal trying to line it up "just so".

Does it make you think of a neighborhood pick-up game? Playing a game of H.O.R.S.E.? Nothin' but net?? Or, perhaps your thoughts are more abstract--perspectives, triangles and circles, games people play.... You can be as literal or as figurative as you'd like; fun, creativity and an easy post are your goals (hehe, I did NOT mean to pun!).

Poem (my favorite, no matter the form...no pressure or anything!)? Caption? Shortshortshort story? Click the badge above for all the details, write a post over the next few days, then come back here on Friday to link your response."

And finally ... here's MY (rather distracted) 36 word (51 syllable) response:

Bird or ant's eye view?
Other issues vie for my
attention today ...

Tennis anyone?
French Open not basketball ...
nets and fuzzy balls

plus great 'shot' angles
on the red clay courts keep my
focus on the ground!

~ ~ ~

Seriously, I'll try to do better next time, Robin ... but I've got 3 days of recorded unwatched matches on my DVR (and it's recording more matches right now) and am trying to watch as I type this morning so it won't erase them to add more, but I did want to 'play' ... so just call me crazy.

~ ~ ~

Click for my other OSI Week 13 Reflection (and HF #44)
at Sacred Ruminations and for

others participating in OSI this week)

(Click for others participating in Pensieve's 40PC this week)

For a Mr. Linky to other Haiku Fridays
go to A Mommy Story or
Playgroups are no Place for Children.

To see more previous Haikus,
click on the Haiku Friday label below this post
or in the sidebar under About Me.

Thoughts for Today
"Success is only another form of failure if we forget what our priorities should be." Harry Lloyd

Thursday Thirteen #26 - 13 Laughable Photos

13 Laughable Animal Images
from the Internet

I'm pressed for time again ... so am sharing two collages of photos gathered from email and various Internet sources. Some may be familiar, others new to you ... but hopefully some will bring a smile to your face and perhaps even make you laugh out loud!

Happy Thursday Thirteen Everyone!

As I did last Thursday, I've posted this early so as to free up time for other things in the morning ... and I'll be doing my T-13 visits in the afternoon when I return home after class. In case you missed it, I shared new examples of what we learned in Tuesday's class ... (the 5th of 10 sessions in the Beginning Class). To see them check out Almost Wordless Wednesday#30.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!


View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Get the Thursday Thirteeen code here!

For easy access, I’ve listed more T-13 links along with the
Thursday Thirteen Blogroll to the bottom of my sidebar.

Thought for Today
"Lots of people talk to animals.... Not very many listen, though .... That's the problem." Benjamin Hoff in THE TAO OF POOH

(Almost) WW #30 - More Photo Challenges

ALMOST

(This is my 30th)

Like in last week's almost WW #27, today I'm sharing what I learned in the 4th & 5th sessions of my Photoshop Elements class. You'll notice this is a 'class photo' from the 1920s. First we 'isolated' the girl in the center ... then removed everyone else ... 'recreated' the 'missing parts' of her ...


and finally used the 'elliptical marquee tool' to create an 'oval' vignette with two different background colors.



Next ... we isolated the 'grandma' on the left and repeated the process ... once again using 'layers' to 'copy, paste, and rotate the 'shoulder'... learning to 'refine' the edges. Unfortunately we ran out of time at the end of the 4th class, so her collar are needs some touch up work on the left side in the bottom photo ... but I can do that when time permits. These pictures give you an idea of what we're learning.



In session #5 we took a photograph of the HB Pier and added some 'space' at the bottom for 'text' ...(experimenting with various styles & effects before selecting one).

Then we added things ... like 'Molly' wearing her purple collar ... some seagulls ... and a stylized sun. Once again we ran out of time so I didn't get to 'refine' everything before class ended, but I'm happy with my 1st attempt at using these nifty tools.

Previous posts with Photoshop Elements lessons:
Almost WW - Now you see it ... now you don't
HF #39 - Simple Photo Manipulation
HF #40 - Photoshop Lessons
Thursday Thirteen #24 - Introduction to Photoshop Features

(Click for others participating in WW this week)

Thought for Today
"Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions." Oliver Wendell Holmes

Ten on Tuesday #7 - Favorite Pastimes

If you're looking for Heads or Tails
it's the post below this one!

The prompt this week is
10 Favorite Time Wasters

I don't like to 'waste' time ... I prefer to USE it ... so I've shifted the focus today slightly to my

1o Favorite Pastimes.

1. Reading - right now it's A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khalid Hosseini

2. Writing - in my journal each morning to clear my head and gain focus for the day

3. Gardening - I'm hoping the gopher doesn't devastate my plants from underground tunnels below the surface


4. Walking (with and without Molly) - preferably along the ocean

5. Watching TENNIS (especially during major championships) - The French Open started last Sunday and coverage on 'the Tennis Channel' seems to be 'FREE' ... so I've got my DVR set to RECORD play while I'm at my Photoshop Elements class this morning.

6. Meeting up with friends and visiting together - often over breakfast or lunch


7. Learning new things - like I'm doing with my Photoshop Elements class (see Photo Fun for an example)

8. BLOGGING and making new friends - in the virtual and the REAL world too!

9. Reconnecting with old friends - yesterday I got a phone call from a High School friend I'd not talked to in DECADES and we had a fun conversation for over an hour. She lives on the other side of the nation in North Carolina and used Skype to call me from her computer after doing a 'search' on the Internet.

10. I'm not sure it's 'favorite' because it's last on today's list, but clearing out clutter and simplifying my life HAVE become priorities ... and I devote at least an hour each day to that task.

(Click for others participating this week)

Thought for Today
"The real problem of leisure time is how to keep others from using yours." Arthur Lacey

Heads or Tails #8 - Jobs: A Daily Grind ... (or not)

Hosted by Skittles at Heads or Tails

This week's theme/prompt is:
TAILS - Tell about your job (Or one you've had)

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life." Confucius

A few weeks ago I was tagged by Peajay after she was tagged by His Girl Friday at Wellied on Life for a Meme of 'Fives', and I posted mine in the 2nd half of my Fun Monday #4 post (about my favorite walk) after sharing awards. One of the questions was about 'jobs' ... and I responded as follows:

Five jobs I've had:

1. Playground Director for after-school and summer programs.

2. Elementary School teacher - grades 2-6

3. Staff Developer - providing support and conducting workshops for adults in educational settings.
4. Middle School teacher - grades 6 and 8
5. College Professor of 'Methods of Teaching' courses for Graduate students seeking Teaching Credentials.

"The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one." Oscar Wilde

Throughout my life I've been blessed with 'work' I've found both challenging and enjoyable. I experienced success in all of the positions listed above because my preparation led me to opportunity ... and as I maximized my potential and gradually outgrew each one, the next appeared as an open door ... inviting me to enter.

As many regular readers know, I've been 'happily retired' since June of 2001. Once again, opportunity knocked ... and I responded. For the next few years, I accepted of the 'job' of 'volunteer' in my sister's Kindergarten class. I did all of her individual 'testing & assessment' of students and taught 'writing as a process' to small groups of 5 & 6 year olds until SHE 'retired' as well.

Since that time, I've taken on a few personal 'jobs' ... including (but not limited to) the following:
1. simplifying my life & surroundings (a task that may take a decade or more because I'm a recovering pack-rat)
2. 'reclaiming' my front yard (something I've written about previously in 4 parts ... here, here, here, and here
3. sharing some of my writings with others on my two blogs to gain a comfort level with 'being known' as a writer
4. sorting through the pages of more than 100 'accumulated journals ... in search of 'gems' for possible publication ata some point

and most recently ...

5. enrolling in and attending a 5 week 'beginning' course in Photoshop Elements ...(and a 5 week 'intermediate' class to follow immediately from mid-June through July). You might say that current 'job' is as 'student' ;--)

Click for others participating in HoTs this week.

Next week's theme/prompt is:
HEADS - Royal

Thought for Today
"Every person I work with knows something better than me. My job is to listen long enough to find it and use it." Jack Nichols

Fun Monday #8 - Favorite Vacation(s)

(Thanks to Betty for this nifty Fun Monday graphic)

Fun Monday is hosted this week by
Alison

We're asked to write about: "Vacations .... this is the time of year when most of us go on vacations. Show us and/or tell us about your favorite vacation - where you went, what you did, etc. Pictures would be great. Let's all take a trip around a the world via our FM friends!!"

I've taken some wonderfully memorable trips in my lifetime ...

--some with my family of origin (the 1st of which was to Sequoia & Yosemite) when I was about 12 or 13

--two extended trips with my sister during summer break from teaching (around the USA in 1966 and through 13 European countries in 1967 - (see 101 Things About Me #65-67)

--many with my 'ex' (our 1st was to Big Sur in our Triumph GT6 where I camped for the 1st time in a brand new 9x9 ft. tent and slept in a sleeping bag ON THE GROUND for 3 nights before going in search of a mat to put between my aching body and the 'pebbles' that felt like 'boulders' by that 3rd day). We 'gradually' upgraded over the years ... moving from tent camping to a VW Bus ... then a Dodge Van (behind which we towed an 18' bass/ski boat and in which we hauled 2 Honda 70 minibikes for trail riding) ... and finally an 18 ft. Excel Travel Trailer in which we spent many pleasurable times in Big Bear and various San Diego County campgrounds.

--several 'water-skiing' trips with my extended family (siblings with spouses & kids on houseboats at Lake Powell and Lake Shasta) between1989 and 1996

--many trips to Hawaii with a friend who went there often on business between 1990 & 2001 (mostly on Oahu & the big island of Hawaii, but once to Maui when I attended a week-long Writers Conference there in the Fall of 2001, shortly after retiring from teaching)

--two cruises (the 1st to Alaska in the late 1990s and the 2nd to the Caribbean a couple of years ago). My sister & I each got 'air brushed' tatoos on the Caribbean tour ... she's wearing black shoes (sorry that her 'heart' tatoo is out of focus) and I'm wearing my favorite Keens sandals below (with a butterfly tatoo):


--and last year I drove to Taos, New Mexico in my Explorer for another week-long Writers Retreat ... (after dropping Molly off at Camp Ilene in Corona where she 'vacationed' and played with fur-friends for a couple of weeks). Notice how the dogs come to see who the latest 'arrival' is ... and, of course, she's made many friends because she's stayed there before.

That week in Taos (and the people I met there) got me started blogging on October 22, 2007. I've written of this experience previously in 101 Things About Me (#84-88) the following posts:

--Remembering Taos (contains journal entries & photos taken on a Morning Meditation Walk onto Pueblo Indian Lands),
-- On Growth & Courage (highlights some transitional steps)
-- Taos: Remembrance & Change (reflects on the entire experience)
-- Giving & Receiving (shares two pivotal experiences with other participants)
-- Reconnections (written one week after my 1st blog post)
-- Reflections (written as I succeeded in loading my very 1st photo from that Taos trip)

But RETIREMENT is the absolute BEST 'vacation' ever!!!

Note: I only have photos of the most recent ones available in my computer because I've only had a digital camera for a few years. One day perhaps I'll scan old snapshots so they'll be available, but not today ... because I've got TENNIS to watch (the French Open started yesterday) and A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS to read between now & Thursday (when Book Club meets to discuss it).

Click for others participating in Fun Monday this week.

Vacation Thoughts for Today
"Every man who possibly can should force himself to a holiday of a full month in a year, whether he feels like taking it or not." William James

"A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in."
Robert Orben

"Laughter is an instant vacation." Milton Berle

Camera Critters #6 & Unconscious Mutterings #7

I started a week late so today is my 6thMisty Dawn started the meme and explains the rules here:

Introductory Information

Molly meets a new friend ...
... 11th month old 'Molly'
visiting from Yorba Linda who is even
whiter than she is and about the same size already!

While sitting on my front patio in last week's 'heat wave' ... reading Baldacci's STONE COLD, the fellow pictured here walked by with his lab puppy ... on their way to Dog Beach. The two Molly's frolicked together joyfully for a while as we marveled at how similar they are to one another. You'll note he's trying to capture the moment with his camera phone as I did with my Casio Exilim. No doubt this pup will be larger than Molly when she's full grown, but in the moment ... one might have mistaken them for twins from the same litter.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Alas ... methinks I have a gopher in my yard.

I noticed this hole yesterday between the hydrangea and the house as I was taking 'rainy day' photos to share in yesterday's post. It was filled with water, but there's another hole around the corner of the house on the side (like a back door) too. I had a gopher once years ago living under the grassy area of my yard and I think my 'ex' used poison of some kind ... but I'm afraid to do that now because Ms. Kitty hangs out in this area.

Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

Click for others participating in Camera Critters today.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I'm participating for the 7th time today.
How about you?

What comes to YOUR mind?
If you'd like to play here, copy and paste the clues in comments along with your responses ... or post on your blog and let me know so I can visit ;--)

Here are MY responses:
I say ... and you think ... ?

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Referral :: letter ... I've certainly written a bunch of those in my lifetime
   
2. Indiana :: methinks everyone might say 'Jones" because of the new film release, but 'Gary' came to my mind musically this morning ... recalling The Music Man sound track
   
3. Foil :: contrasting character to the protagonist in a theater production (my mind seems stuck on a theme this morning)
   
4. Horizon :: another song ... 'Sunrise, Sunset' ... from Fiddler on the Roof
   
5. Event :: Horizon ... seems like there was a sci fi film by this name about a decade ago about a Black Hole
   
6. Sailing :: Johnny Depp in the Pirates of the Caribbean films
   
7. Footage :: raw, unedited filmed material
   
8. Sunday :: in the Park with George
   
9. Breathtaking :: Grand Canyon (I did love this offbeat film with Danny Glover)
   
10. Dude! :: Jeff Bridges as The Big Lebowski
    

Your turn: I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Referral ::
2. Indiana ::
3. Foil ::
4. Horizon ::
5. Event ::
6. Sailing ::
7. Footage ::
8. Sunday ::
9. Breathtaking ::
10. Dude! ::

Click for others participating this week.

Thought for Today

"Expect nothing. Live frugally on surprise." Alice Walker

Photo Hunt #4 - Smiley Saturday #4 and More ...

This week's prompt is: Shoes

These Keen Sandals are my favorites for walking I have them in many colors.

For casual wear I choose these favorite slip on sandals by Merrill and these UGG sandals on chillier days.

and on rainy days like today my older Keens and/or these Croc-like clogs from Easy Spirit that feel better on my feet than Crocs.

I've got LOTS more just like these!

Click for others participating this week
in Photo Hunters
~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Last night's drizzles watered the yard for me ...
so I didn't have to do it by hand today.

and there won't be as many
noisy Memorial Day weekend parties
leaving trash in the yard and/or keeping us awake
to all hours here at the beach.

I hope you're having better weather for your
holiday weekend barbeques ;--)

(Click for others participating this week)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

(found at the Daily Meme)

Fill in the blanks with as many words as you wish

1. Air - is usually fresher and more breathable on the coast than the air inland. Today it's raining (even though it's Memorial Day weekend) so the air smells extra clean!

2. Sea - breezes keep temperatures pleasant here near the ocean

3. Land - the airplane safely please ;--)

4. Below - the radar

~ ~ ~

If you'd like to participate ... you can do so in comments or on your own blog. Just fill In The Blanks With As Many Words As You Wish ... and leave me a link so I can read your answers too.

1. Air___________?

2. Sea___________?

3. Land__________?

4. Below_________?

(Click for others participating this week
in the Saturday Special)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1. Who was your best friend?
I had a group of friends through Junior High and High School ... including Karen, Joyce, Marilyn, Shirley, and Pat (now known as Tricia)... most of whom I've totally lost track of other than Tricia ... though we've not seen one another for years. We do keep in contact at the holiday season.

2. Did you play any sports?
I played tennis and some basketball, but my passion in HS was 'dance' ... and I participated in classes for several years and performed in stage productions while in HS. I gave up dance for tennis in college however.

3. What kind of car did you drive?
I didn't own a car when I was in high school but was occasionally permitted to drive my Mom's Ford Galaxy (once I had a license). My brother taught me to drive his Plymouth stick-shift. He was the one who took me to get my learner's permit and was responsible for me returning with my actual license at the age of 15 and a half ... much to my parent's dismay and my friend's disbelief.

4. It’s Friday night. Where were you?
At home with my family of origin (remember my mom was Dutch and quite conservative) most nights ... but occasionally at a movie or school dance.

5. Were you a party animal?
Nope ... never have been the life of a party!

6. Were you considered a flirt?
I don't believe so. I was quite shy around boys in high school, though I did have a 'boy-friend' I met at church ... eventually married him at 23 ... and we were divorced 21 years later.

7. Were you in the band, orchestra or choir?
I played the clarinet in Junior High but not in High School. I did sing in a vocal choir for a while at school and church.

8. Were you a nerd?
I was alway a good student, but never a 'nerd' ... though I had friends who definitely delighted in the label for themselves.

9. Were you ever suspended or expelled?
No ... I never wanted to disappoint my family, so I consistently followed 'rules' as a kid.

(Click for others participating this week)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thought for Today
"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kind of good weather." John Ruskin

HF #41 & Pensieve's 40PC

What is happening
to our weather? ... Last week we
experienced a

HEAT WAVE in So Cal
now it's cold & rainy with
'tornados' ... mud slides

even snow & hail
thunder, lightning ... gusty winds
challenging traffic!

Memorial Day
weekend plans in flux for most ...
I'll stay close to home.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I shared more of what
I learned in my Photoshop
Elements class this

Wedn'sday here and here
and may share more during the
weekend but today

I shall join Pensieve's
40 Photo Challenge ... the
picture below is

what we're focused on
this week ... and my response will
appear underneath.

Pensieve writes: "An ordinary Charms Blow Pop, two treats in one. Labor your way through the hard, sugary lollipop shell and find a sweet bubble gum reward. What I've always taken for granted as a right of childhood is really a bit extra ordinary given a bit more thought--might you agree?

Either way, I'm curious...what thoughts and memories does this photo conjures for YOU?

As with every Friday's 40-or-less Photo Challenge, take a few minutes to pen a poem, offer a title, coin a caption or simply write the first thoughts that pop in your head. It doesn't have to be a literal interpretation of this picture but maybe about your favorite treats or if you ever actually counted the licks it took to get to the center.... The only rule? Keep it under 40 words.

What could be easier? Invite your readers to join in and we'll have one whiz-bang of a party!!"

~ ~ ~

Red lollipops were
fav'rites of mine long ago
especially when

filled with 'Tootsie roll'
centers ... chewy ... delightful!
Wish I had one now ;--)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Click for others participating in 40PC

Click to see my Week 12 One Single Impression
shared in Volume 42 at
at Sacred Ruminations

~ ~ ~

For a Mr. Linky to other Haiku Fridays
go to A Mommy Story or
Playgroups are no Place for Children.

To see more previous Haikus,
click on the Haiku Friday label below this post
or in the sidebar under About Me.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thought for Today
"Climate is what we expect, weather is what we get." Mark Twain