A minute or two in nature

This morning as I was getting the boys ready for their walk I saw the sunrise. It just peeked out of the clouds for a minute, but I managed to capture a picture of it...

I found today that I needed a small dose of nature, and not the Washington Park kind. So, I headed to my favorite short-trip spot at Lair of the Bear Open Space. I walked along Bear Creek and enjoyed the crisp smells of the wind and I listened to all the sounds of spring-a rushing creek, birds chirping, the wind blowing. It was just what the doctor ordered to finish up a busy spring break week and getting ready for my final quarter. I love this picture because it shows that against the gray there are these beautiful yellow branches...

Sometimes I try to snap pictures of myself...

And sometimes I try to capture a moment in my memory. I thought I would share with you this lovely short video of the rushing creek, along with it a lovely quote about nature, for you to take 20 seconds to breathe...

 

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- 

the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” -Rachel Carson

Kudos

I finally got a new dishwasher. The old one hasn't been working for quite some time. Mike had installed it when we renovated the kitchen and that was in early 2008 I think. The installer guy told me that it probably had just gotten its use. He also told me that the old one had the best installation job he had ever seen. "Really?" I said. He said he doesn't even install as good as that. I smiled to myself...leave it to Mikey to have done a perfect job. Now I am off to the store to buy dish detergent and Rinse Aid! Thought I would leave you with a pic of Mike in action.

40

I would like to think we would be doing something special for Mike's 40th today. The first thing that came to mind was...Disneyland! Here is him in the teacups at Disney Paris. What a smile.

Happy birthday, Mike!

XOXO Mel

Things aren't making sense in my world...

...I came home from a delicious 5280 dinner with my brother at The Palm. Welcoming me in my front garden plot is a Gnome with a lit up sign that says "Welcome". He was not here when I came home earlier-I recall that I scanned the front garden plots with planting thoughts of spring and there was no little Welcome Nome. Where did he come from? I called some neighbors and no one claimed putting it there.

Maybe the universe is trying to remind me that things don't often make sense but we fit them into boxes until they do. I suppose it is best if I just relish the spontanaity of it all.

(This is not what the statue looks like but it is the closest thing I could find on the internet)

You are Beautiful

I watched Oprah's "Super Soul Sunday" the other day. Not only did she have the amazing Panache Desai ( http://www.panachedesai.com/ )as a guest, she highlighted an artist who spearheaded the "You Are Beautiful"campaign. You know how that little in your head may tell you that you are too fat, not pretty enough, have too many wrinkles, etc. etc....and that little voice can make or break the kind of self confidence you may have, or affect negatively the kind of day you are having? The "You Are Beautiful" campaign is a reminder that, well....YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! Say that to yourself instead of criticizing yourself that you need to lose 10 pounds and I think you might be a little happier : )

The way to the heart...

...is with a carrot.

I had my first "solo" feeding at the animal assited therapy farm today. Not only was feeding involved but poor Misty had hurt herself and needed eye drop medication throughout the day. I admit, I was a little nervous with this being my first all by myself. But then I realized that I have two massive dogs, who often don't have any manners, to care for. I have been through a cancer scare, with Chester wearing that stupid cone for weeks; I have been through ear drops for ear infections, as well as Stan's arthritis and all the medications and issues for that. So, giving Misty some eye drops actually was a breeze. I didn't even need to bridle her.

Well, I suppose I should give some props to my wing man, the carrot stick. I brought a few and they made my feeding and medication life so much easier! Cody, the big horse, is a bit of a carrot hog so I had to make sure either he was not around when I was bribing the mini horses, or he was in his own pen. Stormy (the mini-horse love of my life) was a bit demanding when it came to his carrots. He would stomp his hoof on the ground and sniff around my pockets.

I cleaned up some poop...you know the saying "you don't s*@t where you eat"...and I walked around the pen with Stormy. I gave special attention to Misty and the goats. Cody and I had some sarcastic banter here and there. All in all, a great day on the farm!

Below is Dahlia, wondering if sweet grain gets spewed from the camera lens...

My beloved Stormy...Kinda reminds me of Stan...

Mr Cody behind bars...

A hard day's work...

Caught in the act!

The barn

37 in 28 degrees

I had a great birthday weekend! Lots of eating out and being with good people. The weekend began with bookclub on Thursday night, where I spent a lovely evening (until midnight!) with some of the most amazing women I know. We talked about all sorts of meaningful things. Friday night I had dinner at India's with Jen...I rarely see her, so a birthday is a good time to get together. Saturday Robert treated me to Pei Wei. Sunday I went to see the Georgia O'Keefe exhibit at the DAM with my neighbors, and enjoyed some wood fired pizza for dinner. The "big day" was full of special birthday wishes from special people, along with a golf Par 3 in 28 degree weather with Liz (probably the only person I know who would play golf with me in that kind of weather!). The night was topped off with a delicious dinner at 730 South with the family and a few nice gifts, like a gift card to Sports Authority to get new golf clubs! On the course, I fared okay, although here I am after I hit a ball into the sand...

And here I am hitting the ball out of the sand...

All in all, 36 went out pretty fully lived and 37 was welcomed in with all the promises of a good year!