Blessed One

Posted on November 24, 2016 by Maggie C

Susie from Susie Lindau’s Wild Ride blog has introduced a #Blessed Project on her website, aimed at encouraging us to “count our blessings,” so to speak. Her suggestion is as follows:

“Sometime between now and December 18^th take a break and make a blessed project list. This will remind you of what makes you happy. We can only think about one thing at a time, so this project should hip-check negative thoughts out of your cranium for a while. Endorphins will fill the space. Can you feel it?”

I love the idea! Here is my first list of things for which I am thankful. (There may be more to follow. I have been blessed a LOT!)

I am blessed by:

abundance…

supportive family and friends…

diverse interests…

new beginnings and hope…

resilience…

strength to keep reaching toward the light…

and seasons that each bring their own beauty!

I wish you all a #blessed Thanksgiving Day and every day!

What do you count as your blessings?

liquid magic

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Maggie C

which came first,
the clouds dropping water
upon the ground,

or the ground water evaporating
into clouds?

did it start out as a fog,
neither of the clouds
nor of the ground?

perhaps it began as ice…

or frost…

however the magic began,
I am glad
for the way it dances

and quenches our thirst for life.

The Daily Post weekly photo challenge: Magic

Under the Full Moon

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Maggie C

We all know that seemingly ordinary folks turn into werewolves during full moons, right? Well, they’re not the only ones to transform.

Take my seemingly innocent dog Chules for example. He loves to go out and explore in the moonlight.

But sometimes… he morphs into:

a charging bear

or a lone wolf

howling at the moon

or maybe a rearing stallion

or a zombie!

Scariest of all is when he turns into

a hyena!

Fortunately, once the full moon begins to wane, he turns back into his lovable self.

What creatures do you see when you venture out on a full moon?

The Daily Press weekly photo challenge: Transmogrify
JNW’s Halloween Challenge: Full Moon

Graveyard by Day

Posted on October 27, 2016 by Maggie C

Clatsop Plains Pioneer Cemetery (est. 1846) in Clatsop County, Oregon USA

I grew up playing (respectfully) in this cemetery. It doesn’t look too scary now, but as a child, I had all sorts of imaginings about what might be lurking in the trees, or about stumbling across — or into — a sunken grave, or hearing otherworldly rustlings and voices just behind me.

And while it looks innocent enough by day, you still won’t find me going there after dark.

JNW’s Halloween Challenge: Graveyard.

Here’s 2 October

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Maggie C

When you live in the Pacific Northwest of the United States, you can’t let a little rain stop you from getting out to enjoy the lushness of autumn. There’s just too much beauty to take in.

The Daily Post weekly photo challenge: H2O

Canine Culpability

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Maggie C

It’s National Dog Day. Let’s celebrate man’s best friend (and world’s worst actors).

“I’m really sorry I did it. Really, really sorry. Um… which ‘it’ did you discover?”

“I don’t know why the cat dug up the water sprinkler, but I scared him away just before you got here.”

“There’s something stuck between my teeth? How embarrassing. Do you have a mirror?”

Cat: “If stealth were a diet, you dogs would starve. Some day I’ll teach you the fine art of aloofness.”

Dog: “You’re a real pal, cat.”

Cat: “Let’s just keep that between you and me. I’ve got a reputation to uphold.”

Rare Gold: Early Morning Light

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Maggie C

Shortly after obtaining my puppy Chules, we began training. Chules is an America Eskimo dog, which is a breed known for ease of training, so I was eager to get started. True to his breed, things moved along quickly.

The first thing Chules trained me in was the absolute necessity of rising early in the morning and heading out for a daily walk before we did anything else. Anything. Like coffee, breakfast, waking up…

The reward in learning this trick was that I was often out and about during the morning “golden hour,” when lighting is said to be ideal for outdoor photography. Not that I really knew how to capitalize on the opportunity, but I did get some photos during our walks that I was rather pleased with.

Now that Chules is older, training is less intense, and we sleep in a bit longer. I rarely catch the golden hour anymore, and a part of me misses it. But not the part of me that likes to drink coffee and have an unrushed breakfast in the morning.