Tom and Boomer

Raising the Flag

Do You Believe in Angels?

I had an interesting experience today at a car wash. I was waiting outside along with a few others as the car wash guys were vacuuming and finishing up and I struck up a conversation with an elderly woman standing next to me. I was commenting on the cost of getting your car washed these days and she shared with me that she was 81 and, of course, she certainly had seen the price escalate in her long life. While I was standing there, I had been trying to guess which cars belonged to which people...could I match the cars to the "personality" of the owners? Well....the snazzy red Subaru belonged to the elderly woman! We had a short discussion about it....she said she bought it last year and that she was blessed....I figured she must have gotten a good deal! She said there are angels among us. Her car was ready and we wished each other a pleasant weekend and she went over to her car. Then she came back, as I was sitting on the bench waiting for my car, and she said, "I have to give you this" and I looked at my hand into which she had placed a very small angel that was wrapped in a cellophane wrapper....and as she turned to walk away, I thanked her. I watched her as she climbed into her snazzy, red coupe and she gave me a slight wave and I waved back. I can't stop thinking about her.

My Flag Tree

Free & Brave

Memorial Day means a lot to me.
I sat down to think & journal about Memorial Day and about the men and women who put their lives on the line for us. (US ) They give so much.
So...Memorial Day is still over a week away, but I'm posting this now because....these people should be remembered... everyday... in our prayers for what they do for US.

Tom is off to boot camp in a little over a week and he is so excited to be going. He's looked forward to this day....since he was a little kid. The day he came home after enlisting in the Marine Corp Reserves, he gave me a decal to put on my car....."Proud Parent of a United States Marine.
I am proud.

Tree with Blue Leaves

These pages are from my Simply Blue journal. I took it out last night...I haven't looked through it in awhile. And I came across these two pages and was thinking about how I often paint a solitary tree....and I think...maybe that tree is me. I painted a couple of pages for Memorial Day which I haven't posted yet....and that tree is there...again. I like painting "the tree." I think the tree is strong. Most of the time....I feel strong....at least a lot stronger than many people I know. Who knew.

Art of the Universe

This painting by Kathleen Karlsen, Hubble's Legacy, is inspired by images from the Hubble Telescope. The Hubble is in dire need of repair. You can see more of Kathleen's paintings, inspired by the immense space and incredible drama of the universe by visiting http://www.kathleenkarlsenart.com/.

Springtime in CT

This is a photo from Spring 2008....the tree is just getting ready to blossom in my yard. I've been out planting Lily of the Valley on this gorgeous day.

Field of Daffodils

I wanted to take a photo of this beautiful field of Daffodils in my town but just haven't had the chance. I look forward to driving past it every Spring. It was planted by a local, retired high school teacher in the field adjacent to his home. His house is painted yellow too! This photo appeared in our local, weekly newspaper, The Redding Pilot. Thank you, Thomas!

Inspired

Sometimes I have to "journal" when I am "in the moment." Even if you've never been to church or are not a spiritual person, I think everyone at some time in their life has heard the 23rd Psalm...."The Lord is my shepherd..." and that was the theme of today's sermon at church. Life and death. What's next? Not sure I'm done with these pages but that's part of the fun of journaling. Sorry the photos aren't better!

Bleeding Heart

I took this photo in my backyard. This plant is growing in a bed of pachysandra...it is absolutely thriving and I didn't even plant it...(maybe that's why it's thriving...). I've read a little bit about these plants...some people think they are a nuisance in their yard. As you can see from the photo....they do have a perfectly shaped heart in their blossom, perfectly crafted by Mother Nature. But about the "bleeding" part...did that really have to be part of the name? That doesn't really have a pleasant connotation to me. This flower deserves a "happier" name....like "Heart of Hearts" or "Heartstrings"....