T-13 Haiku Sky Watch Friday and Harriet's 1000 Comments Challenge (albeit belatedly)

Make Time for Small Reflections
Click for Purple Passion Photo at Sacred Ruminations and
another T-13 today at Happily Retired Gal

Haiku Friday#139 & Sky Watch #53
13 Sky Photos
collaged using new techniques
I learned just this week

Each view included
captured during the past week ...
such variety!

Click to embiggen for better viewing.
Find others participating in ... Thursday Thirteen
Haiku Friday, SkyWatch and Looking at the Sky this week.

I have long wondered
how to create a template
for a T-13

like the one above ...
thinking it might help create
collages to share

and perhaps it might
eventually ... but THIS
collage took me HOURS!!!

At least next time I'll
have the 'frame' set up and with
practice things may go

more quickly next time.
Using 'stroke outline' instead
of a 'beveled edge'

gives a different
look to this collage and it's
more symmetrical.

Addendum:
I just discovered that Harriet created a challenge for the Month of May so I'm adding this note to my most recent post. It's called ... the 1000 Comment Challenge and the logo looks like this:

Although most of my posts are photographs & collages with a bit of Haiku these days, I do visit as many blogs as time permits (often using Mr. Linky for various weekly memes) and always leave comments, so this challenge seems like fun. The unfortunate thing is that today is the 21st of May so there are just 10 days left to play. Since I 'track' the comments I leave as a general practice, tomorrow I'll be doing a count to see how close I am to the goal. Sometimes obsessive habits pay off ;--)

Of course like other bloggers, I enjoy comments on my blog.

If you want to participate in this Linky Love Challenge visit Harriet’s Blog. She's already created a very kewl trophy for the '1000 Comments Club' and plans to offer an award to those who reach 500 comments too.

5-24-09 addendum - Harriet's considering repeating the challenge for June ... so if you'd like to participate, drop by her blog and let her know. FYI -I just totaled my comments for the month so far and as of 8pm I've made 985 ... so I've just got 15 to reach the 1000 goal. How kewl is that?

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." John Quincy Adams

Ruby Tuesday - Today's Flowers

Make Time for Small Reflections

My first RED rose of
2009 springtime ... this
Abraham Lincoln

(Multiple views of a single red rose over time)

lasted more than a
week but in the last few days
disintegrated ...

Click to embiggen for better viewing

for others participating in Today's Flowers & Ruby Tuesday.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"A flower's appeal is in its contradictions - so delicate in form yet strong in fragrance, so small in size yet big in beauty, so short in life yet long on effect." Adabella Radici

Camera Critters #65 - My Screensaver ...

Make Time for Small Reflections

This is my 65thMisty Dawn started the meme and explains the rules here

Last weekend I shared
three collages of Molly
playing with Layla ...

and intended to
share this photograph as an
introduction, but

distractedly ... I
neglected to add it so
here it is below ;--)

I love this photo so much, it's my current screensaver!

Today I share more
photographs of these fur-friends
enjoying themselves ...

entertaining us
as we watch delighted they
get along so well.

Note: Layla still goes
for Molly's ear often but
seems to be learning ...

Click to embiggen collages for better viewing
and Camera Critters at Misty Dawn's this week.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"I love a dog. He does nothing for political reasons." Will Rogers

(Almost Wordless) Watery Wednesday #7

Make Time for Small Reflections

ALMOST

This is my 7th ...My 1st, 2nd, & 4th are at Sacred Ruminations
and my 3rd & 6th are at Happily Retired Gal
and my 5th is here at Small Reflections

Click to embiggen for better viewing.
Find others participating in Watery Wednesday
and Wordless Wednesday today.

Spring Irises spent
all too early ... dry windy
conditions led me

to cut them back and
use the garden hose to save
my Korean grass ...

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"What dreadful hot weather we have! It keeps me in a continual state of inelegance." Jane Austen

Haiku Festival - Mellow Yellow Monday ...

Make Time for Small Reflections
and Today's Flowers too ...

Click for details. Please join us!

This is my 7th Mellow Yellow post
at Small Reflections but I've published 15 Mellow Yellow posts

previously at Happily Retired Gal.

Golden Day Lily
blossoms alongside orange
brightening spirits

Click to embiggen

for other Haiku Festival Participants,
and for my other 'Haiku Festival' posts at
Grandma's Garden at Happily Retired Gal
& Spunky Sparrows at Sacred Ruminations.

Visit other Mellow Yellow Monday and Today's Flowers posts too.
See also my Today's Flowers posts at Sacred Ruminations
and Happily Retired Gal
Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Earth laughs in flowers." Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Hamatreya"

Camera Critters #64 - Molly & Layla at Play

Make Time for Small Reflections
Shadow Shot Sunday is at Sacred Ruminations
Click for Haiku SkyWatch Friday at Happily Retired Gal
Haiku Friday#138 & SkyWatch#50
HaikuFriday#137-SkyWatch#51

This is my 64thMisty Dawn started the meme and explains the rules here

Six-month old Layla
keeps Molly on her toes as
they play in our yard ...

Layla's favorite
tactic is to bite Molly's
tender floppy ears ...

Of course Molly can
overpower Layla and
make the pup submit

without causing real
pain or injury, the way
Layla's mom might do.

Intrepid, Layla
goes on the 'attack' as soon
as Molly backs off ...

They're sure fun to watch
and photograph so you'll see
more pictures like these.

Click to embiggen collages for better viewing
and Camera Critters at Misty Dawn's this week.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive." Gilda Radner

HF#137 - SkyWatch #51

Make Time for Small Reflections
Click for Haiku SkyWatch Friday at Happily Retired Gal
Haiku Friday#138 & SkyWatch#50
This is ... HaikuFriday#137-SkyWatch#51

Wispy clouds on blue
skies change as the onshore winds
keep temperatures cool.

Black birds nest atop
palm trees noisily ... I caught
several in flight.

Click to embiggen for better viewing.
Find others participating in ...
Haiku Friday, SkyWatch and Looking at the Sky this week.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Risks, I like to say, always pay off. You learn what to do, or what not to do." Jonas Salk

Witty Wednesday #9

Make Time for Small Reflections

"Laughter is an instant vacation." Milton Berle

According to recent studies, we need 12 laughs a day just to stay healthy. Therefore, before I share a few stories here, I offer all who pass this way the gift of a link from Simple Truths ... to brighten YOUR day. Perhaps like me you'll watch it more than once ... and perhaps choose to pass it along to others like I did.

Click if you missed my Monday Musings & wonder what I've been up to.
Sandee at Comedy Plus shares humor often ... and one of my recent favorites is Your Yearly Dementia Test.

My 9th Witty Wednesday

A Pot-Pourri of Stories:

Courtesy of Comedy Central's Jokes.com Newsletter ...

Duck Tales
A duck walks into a bar and asks the bar tender, "Got any 'gwapes'?", and the bartender replies, "No, sorry I don't sell grapes here." So the duck leaves and goes home to rest and the next day he walks into the same bar and asks the bar tender, "Got any gwapes?" The bartender replies, "No, sorry I don't sell grape here." The duck leaves and goes home to rest and the next day, he goes back to the bar and asks the bartender, "Got any gwapes?" The bartender angrily replies, "I don't want to have to tell you again, I don't sell grapes here and if you ask me again I will nail your beek to the counter of the bar!" The duck leaves and goes home to rest. The next day the duck goes to the bar and asks, "Got any nails?" The bartender looks at him and screams, "No, we don't have any nails!" The duck then asks, "Got any gwapes?"

First Time Golfer
A retiree was given a set of golf clubs by his co-workers. Thinking he'd try the game, he asked the local pro for lessons, explaining that he knew nothing whatever of the game.

The pro showed him the stance and swing, then said, "Just hit the ball toward the flag on the first green."

The novice teed up and smacked the ball straight down the fairway and onto the green, where it stopped inches from the hole.

"Now what?" the fellow asked the speechless pro.

"Uh... you're supposed to hit the ball into the cup," the pro finally said, after he was able to speak again.

"Oh great! NOW you tell me." said the beginner.

Lucky Driver
A police officer pulls over a driver and informs him that he has just won $5,000 in a safety competition, all because he is wearing his seat belt.

"What are you going to do with the prize money?" the officer asks.

The man responds, "I guess I'll go to driving school and get my license."

His wife says, "Officer, don't listen to him. He's a smart aleck when he's drunk."

The guy in the back seat pops up out from under the blanket and says, "I knew we wouldn't get far in this stolen car."

Just then a knock comes from the trunk and a voice calls out, "Are we over the border yet?"

Click for ChrisB at Ms Cellania
where I've enjoyed Witty Wednesday for a while now.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

A few ... Thoughts for Today
"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."
e.e. cummings

Mellow Yellow Monday and Today's Flowers

and some Morning Musings too!
Make Time for Small Reflections

This is my 6th Mellow Yellow post
at Small Reflections but I've published 15 Mellow Yellow posts

previously at Happily Retired Gal.

Click collages to embiggen for better viewing

and for others participating in
Mellow Yellow Monday and Today's Flowers.
See also my Today's Flowers posts at Sacred Ruminations
and Happily Retired Gal

Just because it's been quite a while,
here are a few ...

1. I'm grateful to be healthy and happily living life in the real world ... gardening, walking Molly, taking pictures with my Nikon D60, clearing clutter from my home (and computer), taking classes at Adult School, getting together with friends, keeping in touch with my sister as she travels in Alaska with her husband in their RV, and reading real books again as I used to before becoming a blogger.

2. Long time readers may wonder what's happened to the original 'writer of posts' here, at Sacred Ruminations, and Happily Retired Gal because I've shared mostly photo collages lately. I'm not sure ... but hopefully she'll return one of these days.

3. I realize I've not spent much time visiting other blogs for quite some time and I feel out of touch with many virtual friends out there in the Blogosphere. I hope you're all well & happily living your lives too.

4. Currently cameras and photography hold more of my attention than writing, but a long time friend reminded me that I'm known for changing interests ... yet the one thing to which I consistently return is putting my pencil to the page. She has no worries that this 'photo phase' will pass away eventually and thinks it's keeping my hand 'blogging' until writing resurfaces as a passion.

5. Hopefully, some day soon I'll be ready to open Google Reader and check in with folks I used to visit frequently. Until then ... remember I care about each of you and look forward to reconnecting.

6. Be advised that I do check comments daily and appreciate all visits even when I don't respond directly.

7. In addition to the awards I've shared on my sidebars and at Blog Rolls, Bling & Blurbs, I wish to pass this along to all my 'followers' ... everyone on my Blog Rolls ... and for those who do visit & leave comments, just because. Feel free to enjoy and share it with others as you choose.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"The sun has not caught me in bed in fifty years." Thomas Jefferson

Shadow Shot Sunday #18

Make Time for Small Reflections

This is my eighteenth …

Neighborhood Shadows

Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in Shadow Shots at Hey Harriet

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"The living moment is everything." D.H. Lawrence

HaikuSkyWatch - It's a bird ... a plane ... Sigh!

Make Time for Small Reflections

Click for Haiku SkyWatch Friday at Happily Retired Gal
Haiku Friday#136 & SkyWatch#48
This is ... HaikuFriday#135-SkyWatch#49
Outside my back door
I look up to see airplanes.
Occasionally ...

I take time to walk
upstairs with my camera
for a birds-eye view.

Planes fly overhead
often enough for the birds
to accept the fact.

Click to embiggen for better viewing.
Find others participating in ...
Haiku Friday, SkyWatch and Looking at the Sky this week.

See also today's Haiku Sky Watch Friday at
Happily Retired Gal and Sacred Ruminations

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Live simply that others might simply live." Elizabeth Seaton