Tag: blogging

Sunday Stills: The #Pink Side of October

Posted in leisure, photography, weekly photo challengeTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , 121 Comments
Pink Dawn

I know, I know, another color challenge, well, kinda…

I enjoyed all of your fabulous oranges last week for the monthly color challenge. But Elle Woods would argue…

“Whoever said orange was the new pink was seriously disturbed.”

Elle Woods, Legally Blonde

These “pretty in pink” adorable twins enjoyed riding the harvest train and frolicking all morning at the Stone Lodge Farms Fall Festival.

farm girls love pink
Farm girls love pink!

While we read a little about Breast Cancer Awareness, please think of ways to honor the month with your favorite pink images.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Pink Coffee

It has been a while since I posted something to acknowledge Breast Cancer Awareness Month which is typically recognized in October. With the focus on Covid, many of our wellness campaigns for illnesses and diseases we still encounter every day have taken a backseat to the pandemic.

Sadly, they don’t go away just because Covid so rudely took center stage for almost 2 years.

At the height of the pandemic, routine cancer screenings declined by 90%. Screenings have resumed and doctors are diagnosing later-stage cancers — things that might have been caught earlier, according to NPR Radio.

The familiar pink ribbon stands for prevention, detection, treatment, and increased breast cancer awareness and is recognized as the traditional trademark of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

(image by Pexels)

Way Too Many

Do you know someone, a friend, colleague, or family member who has been diagnosed with breast cancer? I have.

Way too many.

Do you know someone, a friend, colleague, or family member who has died as a result of breast cancer? I have.

Way too many.

In the popular media, we are surrounded by images of pink ribbons promoting the fight against breast cancer. From the National Football League where players sport pink towels, shoe laces, socks, and other uniform accessories, to people wearing pink clothing, or sporting pink ribbons on their cars (and windsurf sails).

  • Security dressed in pink!
  • Terri Sailing on a very windy day!
    Me flying on my pink sail!
  • Walking to the game
    Wearing pink for the game!

“In 2020, there were 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer and 685,000 deaths globally. As of the end of 2020, there were 7.8 million women alive who were diagnosed with breast cancer in the past 5 years, making it the world’s most prevalent cancer.

World Health Organization

No matter who you are or where you live, understanding breast cancer is important. But the most important thing to know is this: a diagnosis is not a death sentence. Breast cancer can be treated.

Men can also contract breast cancer, too.

The Susan G. Komen organization is instrumental worldwide in fundraising efforts for the research and prevention of breast cancer, as well as the advocacy and support for those afflicted.

I hope you have given some thought to the victims and survivors of breast cancer. I personally know (and knew) over a dozen women who battled breast cancer…some won, some lost. A best friend and work colleague, both just over 50 at the time of diagnosis…survived. My daughters’ step-mom, 41, and another work colleague, 63…both lost their battles.

I traditionally get a mammogram during the month of October. If you are a woman over 40, please get one. If your health provider balks at 40-year-olds asking for mammograms, argue with them.

A young woman who worked for me a few years ago was diagnosed at age 31. The cancer was aggressive and resulted in chemo, radiation, and a double mastectomy. She is a cancer survivor at 38.

Years ago, when my daughter, Lauren, lost her step-mother to breast cancer, she wanted to honor her step-mother and help raise funds for research and prevention by doing a walk for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure event traditionally held in April, in Sacramento. She asked me to join her. I did.

And the 10,000 breast cancer survivors and their families?

Happily, that day, I walked alongside way too many.

The Pink Side of October

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” – L.M. Montgomery

Pink and red Maple Leves
I blush pink and red!

Although we are focusing on pink, October is a prime month for some of the best Autumn colors as many leaves reach their color peak in the Northern Hemisphere. This took some getting used to as I recall my almost 40 years of Autumns in Northern California when the peak was typically between mid- to end of November.

Here in Northeastern Washington, we seem to be at the normal peak of colors now that maple trees have blushed their way into Fall. Hey, it’s almost pink, and I am saving the dark reds for November’s color challenge “ruby wine.”

Speaking of color, I’d like to share Sue’s 100-day project, Bringing More Color into My Life. Her blog Women Living Well After 50, talks about active aging for women over 50 and beyond.

Enjoy my pink images inspired by the pink ribbon that represents hope for the cure.

“Pink is a beautiful color, because it is one of the colors that the sun makes at twilight and in the dawns.”

C. JoyBell C

A pink dawn to inspire yet another day for breast cancer survivors.

Pink Dawn
Very little editing…cropped and adjusted contrast
  • Pink Lady Butterfly
    Pink Lady on Pink
  • Colorful dawn in the mountains
    Early pink dawn
  • A surprise wedding shower demonstrates the optimism of a new relationship.
    Celebrating in Pink
  • pink plumeria
    Plumeria
  • Can you hold a waterfall in your hand?
    Can you hold a waterfall in your hand?
  • Brodie pretty in pink
    Brodie’s pink tongue
  • Hummingbird and feeder
    Pink Hummer
  • pink sunflower with bee
    Don’t get too close!

Other Ways to Acknowledge Breast Cancer Awareness Month

  • Friday, October 22, 2021: Real Kids Wear Pink Day
  • Wear pink the rest of the month.
  • Share your pink images on social media and in the blogosphere.
  • Donate to your local Breast canceer awareness campaign.
liquid amber leaves
A mix of orange and pink leaves

So while we celebrate those who have survived breast cancer and remember fondly those who succumbed to it, think of something special in the color pink that holds a memory for you.

Photo Challenges This Week

Squares

Marsha’s WQW Autumn or Fall
Dawn’s Festival of Leaves
Jude’s Life in Color
Cee’s Flower of the Day
Johnbo’s CellPic Sunday
Becky B’s Past Squares

To see more of my images and other news, consider following Terri on Social Media by clicking the icons:

“Orange” You Glad These Bloggers Linked Last Week?

Sunday Stills is a wonderful community of bloggers and photographers who desire to connect with one another. Below are the last week’s links from 27 bloggers who shared their favorite orange photos. I always appreciate those who visit other Sunday Stills participants and support our blogging efforts!

Always Write

The Bloggler

Blog of Hammad Rais

Bushboy’s World

Cath’s Camera

Cats and Trails and Garden Tales

Cee’s Photo Challenges

Dandelion Fuzz

Deb’s World

Easin’ Along Image shared in comments

Geriatrix Foto Gallery

Graham’s Island

Hugh’s Views and News Image shared in comments

Kamerapromenader

Loving Life

Mama Cormier

Musin’ with Susan

Natalie the Explorer

Now At Home

Philosophy through Photography

Picture This

Retirement Reflections image on Instagram

This is Another Story

Travel With Me

Wandering Dawgs

Woolly Muses

Working on Exploring

I look forward to you all filling up the pages of WordPress with your pink images!

Camera graphic

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Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge: Walking in a #Burlywood World

Posted in leisure, photography, weekly photo challengeTagged , , , , , , , , 101 Comments
burlywood stump

My last Sunday Stills Photo Challenge post of August before my short break is the popular monthly color challenge. This month’s color is burlywood, a light shade of brown, kind of like khakis. A very non-descript color in the world of browns and tans, but it seems to be a popular neutral as well.

color challenge burlywood
August Color Challenge: Burlywood

By this time of year in the Northern hemisphere as summer peaks, there is an abundance of this color everywhere in nature and beyond!

burlywood stump
The epitome of burlywood

I’m tying in water to this post for Marsha’s Writers’ Quotes Wednesdays Writer’s Challenge. How does one find light brown water—perhaps we really don’t want to know…but I did have one in my archives.

One dry, May day at the Sacramento River delta a few years ago, I saw this incredible reflection of the golden hills through which the Sacramento River flows. With no wind, the river was abnormally calm. So, I present—burlywood-brown water.

Chocolate River

In the words of Willy Wonka from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory:

Mr. Salt: [about the chocolate river] It’s polluted!
Willy Wonka: It’s chocolate!

Last week I drove to a local spot in search of a change of scenery for walking the dogs. Just 6 miles away from home are some walking trails, that, to my surprise lead right to the Spokane River. While Brodie took a leash-bound swim, I managed to capture this lovely shot.

Reflections of Green and brown
Green and burlywood in reflection

Light brown is a pervasive color in nature as a common color for soil, sand, grasslands, rocks, animals and vegetation. In fact, vast regions of the planet Earth appear to be light brown from space.

John Spacey

Not to be outdone by water, nature decided to show off her burlywood colors as florals. (Sharing for Cee’s Flower of the Day challenge).

  • purple thistle in a brown dry world
    Purple thistle pops in a burlywood world
  • dry brown wildflower
    People pay good money at craft stores for these

Here is a gallery of more burlywood inspiration:

  • Front porch mat
    Front landing with Aero photobomb
  • Mule Deer
    Deer parade first day in the house
  • Fallen debris washed up into the delta
    Hans clearing the windsurf launch site
  • Layers of Fallen Autumn Leaves
    November leaves
  • Ready for the Slot Canyon in Valley of Fire
    Red and burlywood of Valley of Fire Narrows
  • Standing beside Mono Lake
    Mono Lake and Tufa Towers

And just for fun, my 10×20 foot “she-shed” was delivered on Thursday. It looks so small and plain next to the huge shop! I suppose burlywood is all the rage for sheds. Eventually we will paint her blue.

Where (and why) do I come up with these unusual names for colors? With literally thousands of colors, I like the challenge of choosing an unusual shade from the standard color wheel of six basic colors, plus black and white. I start by searching online for color photo challenges which gives me unique lists of colors. So now you know my secret.

While on My Three-Week Blog Break…

Many thanks to Natalie of Natalie the Explorer who will guest host Sunday Stills while I take a break and travel a bit. You may be familiar with her Weekend Coffee Share Feature. Natalie has chosen the themes for Sunday Stills which are as follows:
8/22 In the Garden
8/29 Afloat
9/5 Colorful Murals

Please enjoy and support Natalie as host. I will have a lot to share about my various adventures upon my return.

Sunday Stills Photo Challenge Reminders

  • Please create a new post for the theme or link a recent one.
  • Title your blog post a little differently than mine.
  • Don’t forget to create a pingback to this post so that other participants can read your post. I also recommend adding your post’s URL into the comments.
  • Entries for this theme can be posted all week.
  • Use hashtag #SundayStills for sharing on social media.

Lyrical Bloggers’ Links

Sunday Stills is a wonderful community of bloggers and photographers who desire to connect with one another. Below are the last week’s links from bloggers who shared their favorite song lyrics or poetry with their photos. I am so impressed with the talent and lyric-inspired images from you all! We shall do this again at Christmas!

That’s my burlywood world these days. I look forward to your posts featuring the color challenge this week. By Friday, I may be slow to approve comments/pingbacks as we travel to San Diego for the first leg of the trip. Sunday, Aug. 22, please watch for Natalie’s post to go live at the normal time of 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time. Here is her Weekend Coffee Share post this week with more details on Sunday Stills.

TErri Signature

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Sunday Stills Monthly Color Challenge: Ageless and #Evergreen

Posted in leisure, photography, weekly photo challengeTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , 93 Comments

In keeping with inspiration from July square trees, this week, Sunday Stills focuses on the color evergreen for the monthly color challenge.

You will remember I am now surrounded by evergreen trees, and I couldn’t be happier. Evergreen is considered a dark green and also the name we ascribe to most pine trees and other trees that stay green year-round. Also known as conifers (cone-bearing) their needles are small and waxy enabling pine trees to stay green all year long, unlike deciduous trees that lose their leaves seasonally.

Here is an example to get your creative ideas going. As we headed to Sandpoint, Idaho, we drove by this lovely spot. I love the shape of the towering sugar pines. Image enhanced with Painnt filter.

Writer’s Quotes Wednesdays Writing Challenge

This week Marsha invites us to explore “exploration!” I can’t think of too many places to explore locally that doesn’t include seeing evergreens! I found this quote and it begged to become a meme created from a previous image of mine.

quote meme exploration
Hot air balloon above the evergreens!

An orange dragonfly explored my former garden resting on the evergreen stake.

Orange dragonfly

Come to the woods, for here is rest. There is no repose like that of the green deep woods.

John Muir

Come explore my backyard and neighborhood with me today…most of the evergreens you see are Ponderosa Pines.

Morning walk a block from our home
  • Suspension Bridge at Bowl and Pitcher
    Suspension Bridge at Bowl and Pitcher
  • Evergreen waters of Long Lake

Even the Birds are Evergreen…sort of…

Some new-old pics from my archives of my sweet hummingbirds. Perhaps not truly evergreen in color, but the second one is surrounded by actual evergreens. These are my headshots for Lisa’s Bird Weekly.

Green hummingbird
Evergreen hummingbird

Update: Journey the Bald Eagle, An Ageless and Evergreen Story for Our Times

Journey the juvenile Bald Eagle was rescued three weeks ago when he fledged too soon due to the extreme heat here in Eastern Washington. See my post here.

Juvenile Bald Eagle, Journey Bluebell Court Eagles ©Diana Gigler
Journey

Thanks to the efforts of staff at Birds of Prey Northwest, he was safely placed in a large aviary and treated for heat exhaustion and dehydration. He exercised his wings daily and once our weather “cooled,” he would be ready to fly back to the nest where his parents are waiting for him.

Bluebell Court Eagles ©Diana Gigler
Journey practicing for flight while still in his nest

Well…Friday, July 16th was the day! KREM 2 news in Spokane, WA, covered the story as Diana G of Bluebell Court Eagles (on Facebook) and Janie Veltkamp, MS, Biology, and director of BOPNW, was there to enable Journey’s first flight since he was rescued. He was launched off Diana G’s deck…

Journey’s (and Janie’s) headshot!

Eagle images are shared by Diana G with her permission.

…Success!

…he flew strongly and purposely, never losing altitude, to a nearby pine tree (evergreen!) in the shade. Janie assures us that Journey will return to his nest close by, where his parents will continue to feed him and teach him to hunt!

Another dedicated volunteer of Birds of Prey Northwest, Tina Penny, shared the following images on the Facebook page, Bluebell Court Eagles. She graciously gave me permission to share them.

  • Eagle released © Tina Penny, Volunteer BOPNW
    Journey is released! Image used with permission by © Tina Penny, Volunteer BOPNW
  • Journey Soars © Tina Penny, Volunteer BOPNW
    Journey soars! © Tina Penny

You can view Journey’s flight here.

https://www.krem.com/video/entertainment/places/inland-northbest/journey-the-eaglets-first-flight/293-1c1a5df4-9a73-4f41-b26d-e4630e2a1fdb

As of Saturday afternoon, we are still anxiously waiting if Journey was reunited with his nest and parents.

There are thousands of people following Journey’s story all over the world. The rescues of early fledgling birds of prey has ignited our concern for climate change and our ability to be the stewards of God’s creatures while we all inhabit Planet Earth. BOPNW reported that they have rescued over 20 raptors in the last 2-3 weeks due to the extreme heat. The organization averages 1-2 rescues a YEAR under normal weather circumstances in addition to the other work it does.

If you can, I urge you to donate to your local animal rescue organization or the Birds of Prey Northwest. Journey’s story has opened our eyes to the wonderful folks who give of their own time and resources, like Birds of Prey Northwest, to rescue and reintroduce our incredible (some endangered) raptors back into their own habitats.

And as Sheriff Andy Taylor told us last week, “But Don’t the Trees Seem Nice and Full?”

Also sharing for Lens-Artists Challenge: Getting Away

Last Week’s Links Under the Trees

Sunday Stills is a wonderful community of bloggers and photographers who desire to connect with one another. Below is the last week’s links from bloggers who shared their favorite photos under the trees. Please take a moment to visit a few, especially those new to Sunday Stills!

Thank you for reading this week! My dad just celebrated his 85th birthday and is visiting this week from Northern California for the first time! I look forward to your creative evergreen images!

Go exploring have a great week
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Writer’s Quotes Wednesday Writing Challenge: Writer’s Choice or Culture

Posted in leisure, writingTagged , , , , , , , , , 57 Comments
Create a WQWWC Post

I took a one day break from Sunday Stills to celebrate the Independence Day holiday. My good friend Marsha is busy with her new property as they prepare to get it ready for its new AirB&B status! So I offered to return the favor to host her weekly blog feature Writers Quotes Wednesday Writing Challenge (aka) #WQWWC for her this week!

WQWWC Requirement

More About Writer’s Quotes Wednesday Writing Challenge

I have been participating lately…I originally misunderstood the prompt thinking it was more of a writing prompt responding to a chosen quote. Just shows you how wrong I was. Like my Sunday Stills photo challenge that has a prepared weekly theme, WQWWC also has a weekly theme. This week is writer’s choice!

If you think this is still a writer’s challenge, you would be right, sort of. As bloggers, we are all writers to some degree. Many of us focus on different types of writing, whether the subject and focus is poetry, photography, DIY, lifestyle, food, travel, and others. Most bloggers share their craft in several creative ways, combining photography with some form of writing.

Many bloggers also combine their posts into several challenges or prompts—i.e. photo, poetry, flower-of-the-day, color challenge, and more. Hot this month is Becky B’s square trees challenge. Need more inspiration? Check out Cee’s page For the Love of Challenges and click on the challenge of your choice.

If you were planning to share your trees anyway, why not search for a quote about trees?

For Writers Quotes Wednesday Writing Challenge, the sky is the limit. Especially this week as it is writer’s choice—that’s YOU, the writer.

WQWWC Suggestions

Now that you have the hang of it, let me take a moment to provide a few examples and illuminate the prompts.

Culture

As host this week, it is my sworn duty as a patriotic American to mention culture with a word or two about USA Independence Day, July 4th and what it has morphed into. While freedom and pride are the overarching themes, Americans love a party!

While many cities solemnly celebrate Independence Day with speeches, parades, and a little pomp, as it should be, most Americans are happy to have a summer holiday and blow off fireworks!

Erma Bombeck says it best…

“You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4th, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism.”

Erma Bombeck

Do you have a favorite culture quote from your own country?

Writer’s Choice

From here we explore writer’s choice, so share your creativity… c’mon, you can do it! I’m back outside to enjoy water and trees.

Like Marsha, who loves to combine photo and writing challenges in her posts, I’m linking some images to other photo challenges today.

Last week, hubby spent the week traveling back to Sacramento to bring back the rest of the items in our storage unit—bicycles, BBQ, random outdoor furniture, his tools, etc. Once he was done, he celebrated by doing his favorite activity—windsurfing!

Hans Schrandt Executes Big Jump
Hubby with a Big Jump!

I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.

Jimmy Dean

Shared for John’s On the Water LAPC and John’s CellPic Sunday

While hubby was camping in his truck and hanging with friends in the windy and cool Sacramento delta, my dogs and I endured the record heat by rising early. At 4am I was greeted by this amazing sunrise over the ridge.

Colorful dawn in the mountains

John Muir says it best with this quote:

How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!”

John Muir
Painnt Filter Forest
A serene walk in the forest. Image enhanced with Painnt

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” “Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world.”

John Muir

These wonderful Ponderosa pines that surround me are shared for Becky B’s squaretrees.

Now It’s Your Turn

What inspires you more, your images or quotes? Now you will be doubly inspired. Your choice or culture…maybe both?

Create a WQWWC Post

Post it on your blog and link to this post. Leave me a comment to make sure I see it. I will respond to your posts while Marsha is busy! For more information on the writer’s quotes challenge, visit Marsha’s page. Themes for the next few weeks are posted for those who love to plan in advance.

Last Week’s Freedom WQWWC Links

Marsha and I thank you for linking your freedom posts last week. Please visit if you can!

Sunday Stills is Back on July 11 with the Theme: Under the Trees

In the meantime, there is no reason for me to wait to share all the amazing Great Outdoors Bloggers links until July 11th. With 32 link-ups, you ‘all seem to love the great outdoors!

Have a wonderful week and thank you for linking to all the wonderful blogging prompts and challenges available.

SUPSIG

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Celebrate #Blue with Flowers

Posted in leisure, photography, writingTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , 49 Comments
Blue and purple hydrangeas
Blue and purple hydrangeas

These blue hydrangeas have inspired me to share their loveliness for not only two photo challenges today, but to introduce a daily journal challenge for the month of July.

Journaling in July

Journaling has been a challenge for me most of my adult life. I did keep a journal when I was between 18-20 years old and still have the books. Nowadays I like to think of blogging as a way of keeping a journal, as I share thoughts about photography, fitness, and leisure.

With that said, I am joining other bloggers for Sue’s Journaling in July, with 31 days of journaling prompts to inspire our creative ideas. Each Saturday, you can link up with other bloggers and share your journal prompts. Please visit Sue’s post for more information.

Journaling in July

How Will I Do This?

Each week as I post for Becky B’s Blue Squares in July and my weekly photo challenge Sunday Stills, I intend to share within those posts, the journal prompts that inspired me that week. We can all use some extra inspiration, so for me, combining these challenges into two posts a week sounds like a great way to spend the month of July as I continue to (impatiently) recover from surgery.

This week I share the journal prompts that resonated the most with me.

July 3 What Makes Me Feel Happy

At our ladies retreat in early May, we also had opportunities to journal over that weekend. A similar question “What feeds your soul” had me answer similarly that I love photography and usually take a picture of something when I see it. The hydrangeas pictured above symbolize my happiness as I enjoy a bit of gardening and can see my potted flowers grow and thrive in the warm California sun. Of course, I will shoot the flowers with my phone or camera so I can enjoy looking at them throughout the day, week or month.

July 5 What I Did Today

Since I’ve committed to gardening, the simple act of watering my flowers and plants daily is gratifying while I am staying close to home. The things we do each day needn’t be glamorous or electrifying, and I am rather grateful to have this downtime. But I admit that watering the front and back yards with a hose while walking with crutches is probably the most challenging thing I did all day!

If I had been asked this question this time last year, I would have written that my hubby and I spent the weekend at the Delta playing on the water, on our windsurf- or stand-up paddleboards. I am counting the days to July 26th when my cast comes off!

4th of July Weekend 2018

If you are craving some blogging inspiration, visit Becky and Sue at their links in the post. I’ve also submitted the hydrangeas for Cee’s Flower of the Day photo challenge.

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Sunday Stills Moves to Hugh’s Views and News June 2 and 9

Posted in photography, weekly photo challengeTagged , , , , 23 Comments
sunday stills graphic header

Hello, Sunday Stills fans!

Just a reminder that the Sunday Stills photo challenge can be found over on Hugh’s Views and News hosted by Hugh Roberts on June 2 and June 9.

Please visit Hugh and link to his photo challenge prompts! Themes are published on the Sunday Stills Photo Challenge page.

June 2 finds me in San Diego for a long weekend to celebrate my brother’s 50th birthday. Most travel days are no big deal in terms of blogging, but this one is special.

Why? Upon my return, I am having foot surgery on June 4th to correct a bunion on my left foot. According to my podiatrist, I will be in no mood to do much as I get through the pain and swelling for at least two weeks.

I do not teach university classes during summers, so this is the best time to have the surgery and recover in time to be on my feet again to teach three classes in the fall.

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers for zero complications and a swift recovery!

Camera graphic

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What I’m Doing on My #Summer Vacation

Posted in leisure, photographyTagged , , , , , , 65 Comments

If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you recall that my job as a part-time university lecturer gives me summers off! I spent 35 years as a public park and recreation practitioner working every summer with no days off and putting in lots of overtime. Summer was a season to get over with quickly!

For the past 10 years, whether working full-time or part-time, I’ve spent most spring and summer weekends at the Sacramento River Delta camping at our windsurf club’s seasonal campground on Sherman Island. We keep our trailer there for 5 months and make the 60-mile drive from Sacramento most weekends.

Quite the leisure lifestyle!

Before I begin with my summer plans, I want to tell all Sunday Stills photo challenge participants that Hugh Roberts will be hosting the challenge on June 2 and June 9.

I know you are thinking, “wow, she must be going on a fabulous vacation and won’t be around the blogosphere.”

I wish.

Lounging on a Venetian gondola as the above image suggests would have been nice.

Instead, on June 4, I undergo surgery to correct a painful bunion on my left foot. The recovery process takes up to 8 weeks, with the first two weeks spent in pain from swelling, then removal of stitches. The doc will put me in a cast, then hopefully a walking boot.

Because of this uncertainty, I may be a bit absent from blogging during this time. Hugh has graciously agreed to host Sunday Stills for the first two weeks.

So no delta for me, or much of anything else until mid-July, depending on how fast I heal.

I’ve never used crutches, so that is an adventure I’m anticipating with dread.

Sigh…

colorful mandalas

In the meantime, I found a coloring app (Happy Color) to while away the hours in my pain-induced stupor. Both images above were downloaded from the app after I colored them.

If anyone has had foot surgery, do tell how you found your experience. And you won’t scare me, I’m realistic!

You can find the June themes for the Sunday Stills photo challenge here.

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About Sunday Stills Photo Challenge–Please Read!

Posted in photographyTagged , , , , , , , , 28 Comments
SundayStills Graphic

Sunday Stills is moving in January!

SundayStills Graphic

 

But don’t fret!

While I take an extended travel break, the Sunday Stills photo challenge is being temporarily hosted by bloggers Carol Carlisle and Hugh Roberts. Please follow their blogs to keep up with the weekly challenge!

Carol is hosting January 6 and 13, find her blog here.

Hugh is hosting January 20 and 27, find his blog here.

Visit my Sunday Stills page for the list of themes.

Reminder there is no Sunday Stills challenge for Dec. 30th.

I am spending Christmas with family in the San Diego area. If my schedule is on track, I should be on the road to Phoenix, Arizona at the time this post publishes.

This is my official blogging break for the entire month of January, while my husband and dogs travel to Northern Arizona on a 10-day road trip. Since we are traveling with our trailer and camping, Internet access may be unavailable.

Upon my return, I will have lots of new photos to edit, as well as to plan February’s Sunday Stills’ themes. The university’s spring semester begins the third week, so I will be prepping for that. But don’t be surprised if I stop by and visit your blogs when I can!

Happy New Year and best wishes to all for a fabulous 2019!

Terri_sig_palm2

 

 

 

Sunday Stills: Something #Red

Posted in photographyTagged , , , , , , , , , , , 64 Comments
Sunday Stills Red Graphic

During the holiday season, it is nearly impossible to find something red to photograph, right?

Wrong!

While I prefer green, the reds of the season lend a dramatic contrast to white snow, lush evergreens, and cold, dreamy blues!

I had planned my usual macros (see below), which are always fun to photograph and edit!

But by kismet and luck, my featured image below (also shared for Becky B’s timesquare) is my attempt at a wedding photo of our dear, next door neighbors who held their wedding in their backyard last week! My hubby thought I should take a couple of photos of them and have the image printed on canvas as a wedding gift.

Wedding photo

Instead of purchasing other artists’ prints, I found this website to print my own images onto canvas or acrylic. In addition to this wedding photo, I had three of my favorites made into canvas prints to be framed (or not) and hung on my own walls. I use CanvasDiscount (no affiliate here, just a satisfied customer!).

It is doubtful I would explore wedding photography as a profession, but I am more than pleased at how this one turned out. At the time of this post, they have not yet received their surprise gift! They chose not to have a dedicated photographer at the wedding, so I was so glad to make this portrait of them!

Now for more reds!

Macro red light
Red Piggies in a row

Whether or not your image is holiday-themed, show us something red for Sunday Stills!

Sunday Stills Red Graphic

This post is my last Sunday Stills post of 2018! There is no challenge on December 30.

As I will be traveling extensively during the last week in December and first two weeks in January, Sunday Stills will be hosted by Hugh and Carol. More details on my Sunday Stills Page.

Thank you for a fabulous 2018 with Sunday Stills! I wish you Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!

Terri_holly

 

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2018 Christmas Charity Appeal – Help Me Raise £250 For The Dogs Trust By Leaving Me Links To Your Blogs And Books

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SPCA Jingle Bells Walk

SPCA Jingle Bells Walk

We all love our dogs and take good care of them! Sadly, too many dogs are neglected, abandoned or worse! Many dogs get lost around the holidays for a variety of reasons and end up spending their time in shelters or on the streets.

Here in the US, we rely on the SPCA  (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), like the Dogs Trust, to help our canine friends find good homes.

Founded in 1891, Dogs Trust is the largest dog welfare charity in the UK.

Comments are closed here. Please visit Hugh’s blog for more information.

via 2018 Christmas Charity Appeal – Help Me Raise £250 For The Dogs Trust By Leaving Me Links To Your Blogs And Books

On the #Road for Sunday Stills

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Spokane's Urban Forest

I enjoy road trips. I love to drive and see the countryside as I travel.

This Veteran’s Day holiday weekend finds me “on the road.” Well, in the air, actually, as I fly home from the Eastern Washington state. Believe it or not, when I planned this theme, I did not know I would be taking this short trip to visit our family in the Pacific Northwest.

While enjoying our time there, we get out and walk along the stunning suburban forest roads.

Spokane's Urban Forest

My husband’s brothers live in Spokane, and his mother is also there in an Assisted Living care situation. She turned 87 years old in October and we haven’t seen her in 18 months!

I posted about “Time” for last week’s Sunday Stills challenge, and as they say, “life is short!” Hubby recently found out his auntie passed away at age 92. She lived in Germany and he only met her once. She was his deceased father’s sister.

Two weeks ago, we hurriedly made plane reservations for this short trip north to be with Mama Hella…because we never know… Time is not on our side.

Last year on this very weekend I had the absolute pleasure of hanging out with fellow bloggers in Palm Desert. This was truly a road trip, with a 9-hour drive from Sacramento to San Diego, then from there, north two hours to Palm Desert (just outside of Palm Springs).

Travel Trailer

Now that we have our wonderful 27-foot Jayco travel trailer, and hubby finally got his new truck, being on the road will be a pleasure. Especially when we can take our dogs along for the ride.

As I hinted in my last post, we have a major road trip planned for late December into the second week of January. I have always wanted to visit the American Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Southern Utah) but never had the opportunity to do so.

This trip is inspired by author Tony Hillerman, whose works include the fabulous mystery series featuring two Navajo tribal policemen set in the Navajo region of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. Covering thousands of miles of territory, the characters often found themselves on the road, driving from one area to another as they chased suspects and solved crimes.

As I read, I could imagine the sun setting behind the iconic monoliths of Monument Valley and feel the heat of the summer monsoons.

Although I have driven through Arizona on the Hwy 10 over the years, I have never been to the Grand Circle area known for National Parks like the Grand Canyon, Antelope Valley, Monument Valley, Bryce Canyon and Zion. Other areas of interest include Sedona and the Hopi and Navajo Reservations.

With the help of Pinterest and some blog posts I’ve read, I am creating a customized road trip with a drive that starts in San Diego and eventually ends back in Northern California via (or should I say viva) Las Vegas. If the predicted El Nino weather pattern has its way, there should be more sun than rain.

What sights have you enjoyed on your road trips? Here are a few of mine!

Wintery frost along Hwy 84 in Northern Oregon
Crazy clouds along Route 66 near Victorville CA
Morning glow on the I-5

As we enjoy our holiday weekend, please remember the Veterans who served in the military whose sacrifices made our country (and perhaps yours) great!

I can’t wait to read what you have in store for Sunday Stills this week! Link up here or ping-back to this post!

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Sunday Stills: Make Mine #Pink

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pink flower with bee

Most of us are aware that October is traditionally the month we acknowledge Breast Cancer Awareness by wearing and or displaying the color pink. Of course, we should acknowledge cancer awareness all year long.

In keeping with my overarching theme of inspiration this weekend (see Friday’s post), I’m hoping to inspire you to think pink, our theme for Sunday Stills this week.

pink sunflower with bee

Pink is a color in nature that most of us can hardly ignore, from the delicate pastels in shell pink to the bright fuchsias in a bougainvillea bush.

pink flower with bee

But pinks appear outside of nature, too.

Security dressed in pink!

Today, share a gallery of your favorite pinks. Here are some of my favorites:

Lake Tahoe snow in May
Pink delta sunset
Pretty (amazing) in pink!
Me flying on my pink sail!
Pink-clad student at Ropes Course
Naked Ladies Close-Up
Spring in High Sierras
Beautiful bougainvillea

More pink inspiration:

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month I wrote this post in 2015 of leisure’s role in breast cancer awareness month.

Becky B inspired us for the entire month of September with her Squares in September: Pink.

I have started an Instagram Challenge for the month of October. Please join me and use the hashtag #Octoberpink (see the actual hashtag in the post below–there is a bow between October and pink)

I was tickled pink that five new bloggers joined our Sunday Stills group in September. Please take a look at their posts!

The 59Club Blog

Sharing Thoughts

Lin’s Doodles 

Captain Jill’s Journeys

MegakaosDesigns

Thank you to my fellow bloggers who participate weekly in Sunday Stills!

Please link to this post and be sure to link up to share your pink confections with other bloggers!

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Hot #August Sunshine: A Sentence A Day

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Graphic Sentence a Day

Journaling a sentence each day for a month makes for a reflective blog post. I joined this challenge in 2017 and have sincerely enjoyed keeping track of my daily adventures. I had time to participate for the month of August so far this year.

August 1st! Half of 2018 whizzed by! Today I cleaned and straightened up the house to prepare for family driving from Spokane, Washington. They’ll spend one night here on their way to Southern California for a memorial service. Sure was great to see them and their two grown daughters!

8/2 I went to a new Pilates class at the gym today and twisted my lower back which left me in a LOT of pain for the rest of the day! I overdid it the day before cleaning, so where is the incentive in that chore?

8/3 Morning walk with my friend. We plan to meet every Wednesday morning and walk for an hour! My back felt a lot better today, thank goodness!

8/4 Saturday, woke up at 6:30am, had coffee and took the dogs for an early walk due to the continuing heat in Northern Cal. I had good intentions to write some in my book. Nope! I ordered a new inflatable SUP from Costco instead.
Came up with a fun Instagram hashtag event for August #monthofsunflowers

8/5 Sunday at the delta. Got here just in time to get out on my regular SUP. Had I waited much longer, the wind would have blown me off the water, along with the lingering smoke from local wildfires. This is hubby’s day off so he was excited to get some windsurfing in later.

8/6 Monday morning at the delta, hoping for another SUP session, but rode my mountain bike instead. Packed up and headed home to finish sharing Sunday Stills participants’ posts and some other blogging duties.

8/7 Good workout at the gym this morning, plus walked the dogs before the heat settled in. Spent most of the day on class prep.

8/8 Day at home waiting for our water company to reset our broken meter and for a package to arrive. I managed to walk the dogs and work on more school prep. What did I get? My inflatable SUP! You can read more about my paddleboard escapades!

8/9 Went to a Weight Watchers meeting. Weigh-in not good…I’m a two pounds over my lifetime weight and have gained 6 pounds over all since last December. You’d think with all the physical activity I do that I could keep my weight down! Got distracted and opened my new SUP and familiarized myself with all the goodies. Once inflated, it ended up on the bedroom floor with Brodie keeping a careful eye.

SUp in bedroom
Brodie approves of my inflatable SUP!

8/10 Woohoo! After 7 years, I paid off my car today!

Toyota Rav4
My Baby

8/11-12 Back at the delta—hot day here, not much wind. Several of us got together and created a SUP/Kayak flotilla and crossed the river (a mile across) and picked scads of blackberries. There is an art to balancing a small dog and a Ziploc bag of blackberries on slightly choppy water without falling in!

8/14 I was a featured guest on Hugh’s blog today for his weekly feature “49 Days in 1988.”

8/15 Took an hour-long walk with a gal pal today. Logged over 7200 steps with just the walk. She was gracious enough to take one of my dogs for the walk. Came home worked on school stuff then went out for sushi with hubby!

8/16 Early gym workout. I’ve been listening to a great audio-book (what I listen to on the hour-long drive back and forth to the delta every weekend). I borrow these from our library system in an app called Overdrive. I can borrow e-books to read on Kindle or listen to audio-books, which are converted to MP4 format that download right to the phone.

8/18 No delta this weekend. Off to Lake Natoma to try out my new inflatable SUP. I tried it at the delta last weekend, but it does best on really flat water. So interesting to see so many others with their inflatable SUPs.

Getting ready!

8/19 My hubby’s work schedule changed to accommodate his boss’ vacation, so he only gets Sunday off this week. I managed a morning walk with the dogs before it got hot. Hubby and I shopped for some gardening items then enjoyed a late lunch at a restaurant.

8/20 Put stakes in my sunflower garden. I think the sunflowers are happier!

sunflower garden

8/21 Great morning walk.  Got a haircut, then treated myself to a pedicure! All in time for our…

8/22 ….Happy 5th Anniversary to my hubby!

8/24 Faculty workdays officially began this week. Our annual meeting was cancelled, so I spent the day enjoying one of my last long weekends in the delta.

8/25 Saturday at the delta, did a SUP session with a friend, called a “downwinder.” In other words, we paddled with the river’s tide all the way to the local windsurf/paddlesports shop. Took 45 minutes but it was lovely and quite fun!

8/26 Back home today. Finishing touches and prepping for an early morning start for my first day of teaching tomorrow.

8/27 Fall classes officially start at Sacrament State University today. Got there bright and early at 7:30 to make sure I can park. First week of school traffic is always exciting.

8/28 Still energized from the first day of classes. Our secretary changed the locations of both my classrooms which helps tremendously with the space issue for the Wednesday evening class.

University classroom

8/29 First night of my Wednesday night class. I have an online class that uses the same curriculum. Looking forward to technology!

8/30-31 Official start to Labor Day weekend. Celebrating a couple of friends’ birthdays, too.

Interested in being part of A Sentence A Day? It is fun to jot your daily ideas down, even the seemingly mundane. Please visit Leslie at her blog Once Upon A Time & Happily Ever After. I have met some new bloggers and have enjoyed this challenge. Please visit the link-up for more Sentence a Day posts. 

 

If you are looking for a fun photography challenge, give my weekly feature Sunday Stills a try!

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49 Days In 1988: Week 31 – First Night – Hugh’s Views & News

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Night sky

Many thanks to Hugh for featuring me on his blog today!

This weekly feature shares accounts from his journal written in the 1980s and introduces bloggers’ book project and favorite 80s songs!

If you have not visited Hugh’s blog yet, please stop by!

Photo by Emre Gencer on Unsplash

via 49 Days In 1988: Week 31 – First Night – Hugh’s Views & News

Terri_sig_palm2

Sunday Stills: You’ve Got a #Friend

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Woman with Dog

Who among us doesn’t have a friend? Some have a larger circle of friends, while others have a choice few.

Sunday Stills asks us to share an image of “friend.” The featured image above shows my daughter with her best friend Gideon!

Here are some of my examples of “friend.”

A surprise wedding shower for me hosted by my windsurf friends 5 years ago!

A surprise wedding shower demonstrates the optimism of a new relationship.

“Friendship is the hardest thing in the world to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything.”
― Muhammad Ali

Two friends out for a stand-up paddle session.

SUP-Sounds
No wind? No problem. Get out your SUP and enjoy!

Then there are our fur-baby friends who are also friends with each other. Aero misses Gideon (left) who lives with his mommy in San Diego (pictured above).

“Blogging introduced me to people from all over the world. I have met people who I now consider friends who live in Australia, UK, South Africa, Europe, Philippines, not to mention new friends in the states. My new friends, despite their distance, are as important to me as if they were my local neighbors.”  7 Ways Blogging Changed My Life

Bloggers became friends and spent a weekend sharing our tips and tricks for blogging.

We really do have fun while working!

 

“There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate.”
― Linda Grayson

Did you know today is National Friendship Day? according to National Day Calendar 

Link up here!

My continuing gratitude to those who faithfully post their photos each week!

Say hello to our new participants who shared posts in July for the first time!

Bushboys World
Indira’s Blog
KAMERAPROMENADER
Mama Cormier
Megakaos2013
The Nuthouse
Picture Retirement
Vintage Neon Signs
Wanderlust and Wonderment
Whippet Wisdom
Wind Kisses
Woolly Muses
Zombie Flamingos

Remember I gladly share your posts to social media! I just opened a new account with MIX, which replaced StumbleUpon. Check it out when you get a chance, as I will also share your posts to Mix via my Chrome Extension.

As always, I look forward to seeing your creative views of the theme for Sunday Stills this week.

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