Strange Memorial Day Weekend

While the weather went from 90 degrees the Wednesday before Memorial Day, all the way down to 39 degrees for the low, we also went from dry dry dry land to rain and more rain. Even on this Tuesday the weather a tad warmer however, the sky is dark and eerie.
I wanted to set outside and soak up some sun while reading, working, writing and relaxing. However, I did get weeds pulled and a tad bit read and some writing done it has been a hit and miss on the sunshine. 

Eagle setting in the tree.

One great thing has been the activity of the birds. The weather doesn't stop them,however, it does bring them out at different times. The swallow has loved the rain as it drives the bugs out and it can swoop down and get them.
I also have noticed the little birds picking on the big birds. The red-winged blackbird was showing the Blue Heron who was boss and a little one I could not see was on the Eagles tail.

Eagle with little bird chasing him

Blue Heron being chased!

 










I tried to keep count of all the different birds I spotted at I believe I am at 16 although there might  be a couple more I know has been here in the past but not sure if I saw them this weekend. I did not get pictures of all the different birds however, I tried my best.

Not sure if this is immature eagle.

Angry Bird! ^+^

I  love my Nikon Camera.

                                          

How is your Mood on this Last Sunday in May?

My question to all Bubblews writers and RedGage people; how is your mood on this last Sunday in May? I am setting here, at the summer cottage, alone as predicted and at times, the silence of the solitude can be deafening.

The weather forecast is one that could be very discouraging, however, at this moment in time the sky is blue with shattered clouds The rain and thunderstorms are to move in later tonight so for Memorial Day Monday, with all the celebrations around could be dampened.

For me, however, while I should be getting articles written, reading done and pictures posted to RedGage my mood is a blue as the still sky.  

I see families on boats, I see fishermen with their poles in the water just reeling in fish after fish. I am reading post after post on Facebook where grandmothers are enjoying the company of not only their children but also their grandchildren. You can read in Proverbs, the very wise chapter in the Bible many things about families. Here is a great verse; Proverbs 17:6; NIV, “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”

While I am aware this is satans attack to defeat, I simply refuse to stay in this frame of mind. Our God is mighty to save and he will never leave me; therefore, I need to stop dwelling on what cannot be, and focus on the beauty around me.

Happy May 26, 2013

Field Trip to Notre Dame University

 Attending the field trip to Notre Dame University with my grandson. Going with him year after year has been a treat for me as much as it if for  him.

 This year he is in the 5th grade and there trip was to visit Notre Dame and the famous golden dome.

 After much of the tour with Allie, we were told once you are a student at Notre Dame, it is a superstition, if you go down the main stairs leading to the main building or the golden dome, you will not graduate. Therefore, we went down the steps and she went the alternate route. It was a great view and made a good photo opt.

 This is the library wall and the painting is called Touchdown Jesus. Why? I have no clue.

 Here the grandson stands by the football/Lou Holtz statue.

 My grandson loved this picture and wanted to act as if he was holding it up. I simply wanted him to stand by the picture, he jumped underneath.

 This is the grotto, many catholic children were in the group and knew exactly what to do. It was a new experience for my grandson. According to ND website, "The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes is one-seventh the size of the famed French shrine where the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Bernadette on 18 occasions in 1858. Visiting the site on one of his many trips to his native country, Notre Dame founder Father Edward Sorin vowed to reproduce it on the campus of his new university. A gift from Rev. Thomas Carroll, a former theology student, made it possible in 1896. Boulders from surrounding farms, most weighing two tons or more, were used in its construction."

 The children did not think they would be able to see the stadium as it was not on the tour. Our little group was lucky, in the sense, that Allie had the key to the gate as she worked with the team. I'm sure they told the other groups when they got back to the school. It was cool to watch them look around.

 My grandson outside the stadium beside the Knute Rockne statue. This was the last thing they did before heading back to the bus.

My personal favorite. The field was being watered, at first they attempted to stay out of the water. Here, my grandson, is escaping the stream. Well, after seeing another jump into the stream, he got a tad wet too. It was  a beautiful 78 degrees May 6th so he dried quickly.
Again, I loved the chance to go on the field trip and as long as I am available I will always go and be with my kids.

Spring has Sprung at Dewart Lake

Spring has finally arrived at Dewart Lake, today it is 66 degrees and most sunny. The sky is blue with white clouds scattered about. This morning I spent the time in the cottage doing some spring-cleaning; might I say yuck, however it needs it and if I do a little each time up it’s not as hard to do. The harder part will be later this summer when scraping of old paint and touch up painting is done.

About 2 o’clock, I said enough is enough and decided to come out and enjoy the sun. I did trim the grass a bit, in case the neighbors decide to mow. About 45 minutes to an hour later, I decided I was glad I had a pair of shorts. It was no nice to feel the sun on the skin again.

 

The lake is alive with boats, fishermen, kayakers and I do not know what the other things were. They were like wave runner or skidoo; however, they were standing up.

 

The birds are active too. I have seen red winged black birds, male and female, blue heron, bald eagle, geese, ducks, swans, nuthatch, blue jay and some little bird that is unfamiliar to me. 

At first, I thought it was a baby duck, however, no parents around so that was unlikely. Getting a good look at them is challenging too as soon as you try to focus, they submerge and swim under water and pop up where they are not expected.

  

Of course, as I am writing I still have my camera near by in hopes to get even a better picture of the Bald Eagle. Although, I think it will be touch beating the photograph of him/her capturing a fish for lunch. If you have not seen that great capture, you can see it on RedGage or Bubblews.

http://www.redgage.com/photos/Angelgirlpj/eagle-going-in-for-his-catch.html 

http://www.bubblews.com/news/389673-ive-been-published

In the mean time I am enjoying this beautiful day filled with sunshine, how about you?

Bald Eagle Goes in for the Catch

If you like my capture, please go to RedGage and rate it!

I was at the cottage at Dewart Lake April 4, 2013. It was the first trip for the season, however I got my best photo ever. I posted it on RedGage right away in hopes to make some money and maybe even bonus money. I don't know if it is because RedGage site is messing up or if the RedGage people simply don't recognize a great capture.

After eating fish!

I was so excited whether the RedGage people appreciate it or not. Just seeing the eagle on my first trip to the cottage was good, however, seeing him/her catch it's lunch was great!

http://www.redgage.com/photos/Angelgirlpj/eagle-going-in-for-his-catch.html

                                                 

Well It is Good Friday

Well it is Good Friday, and for Jesus followers, that is a time for sad yet wonderful memories. Someone sinless took upon himself the sins of everyone else so that we may have eternal life. Wow, for God to send his one and only son, just for us is incredible.

John 3:16-17; KJV, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

According to the Ilumina Bible program,

THE MEANING OF MESSIAH:

“The title of Messiah came from the Hebrew, mashiach, and means "anointed one." Christos, or Christ, refers to an individual who is set apart to serve God.” It continues to say; “Messiah is a title for Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. In the Old Testament, God told how he would send the Messiah to rescue his people, to make everything right, and to destroy evil. The Jews looked forward to the arrival of this Jewish hero but rejected Jesus Christ because they expected someone different. Instead of a soldier, Jesus was a servant. Instead of being a mighty king, Jesus died on a cross. The Jews did not recognize God's plan for Jesus as the Messiah, but Jesus still saved those who believed in him by his death on the cross. He came back from the dead and now rules in heaven above.”

Yes it is Friday, Good Friday, but hang on as Sunday is coming!

                                               

My First Road Trip

Well it took a lot of thought and prayer as making a long road trip alone posed many fears for me. However, the need to see my girls out weighed my fears.

When I started early on Sunday am the weather forecast was to be foggy and 80% chance of rain. It did sprinkle for maybe 5 minutes but no fog.  The roads were dry and sunshine came out and stayed out the whole trip.

4 hours into my trip south, I stopped at the last chance rest stop before hitting the bridge between Indiana and Kentucky Bridge. 

Since I could not find any Christian music channels on the radio, I decided to make a playlist on my tablet. As I am setting there, a nice older man approached me spreading the word to other drivers that he heard on the CB that there was a delay on the bridge. 

Fear again tried to sneak in as I started to drive; however, I yelled aloud at satan and with Jesus’ help took control of my fear.

Well the delay was miles before the bridge and the traffic was backed up making my trip an hour longer. Therefore, I was so glad I took the time to make my playlist of music. No fears, great music and snacks on the seat beside me made the delay bearable. 

I made it, and the trip was worth it!

Therefore, my advice to anyone who does not like doing things alone, especially long trips, you can do it. Simply be prepared for anything.

 

                                                                                                                         

Snow Snow and More Snow

My husband's footprints

Yesterday March 5th we had pretty much green grass trying to show. OK as it is still winter, it wasn't really green, however, it was not snow covered. Then yesterday late afternoon, everything changed.

My truck has drifts surrounding it

 When it started to snow it cut loose and really snowed. It was tiny flakes, however, it was a wet and heavy packable snow.

look at all this white st

Look how many inches we got. 





Oh boy!!! I am so ready for spring and sunshine!

Drip drip drip

I do thank God it was 31 degrees and very little wind.Even the icicles were dripping so maybe winter will be ushered out of Indiana soon.

  

                            

Birthday Family Fun

Loves her mommy!

 Missing our daughter’s 33rd birthday was something that saddened me, however, the winters in Indiana and driving 6 hours south for the first time by myself frightened me.

Oh what a surprise it was one week later when she surprised us by making her first trip north with my 4-year old grand daughter. It was not because of her birthday it was for her dad’s, which was one week later. 

Saying birthday cheers with cheese!

My son had already been invited to come for dinner for his dad’s birthday; he knew she was coming, so he popped in with the grandsons. It was a tad noisy but oh, what a great noise it was!

Grandpa, son and grandchildren

Another surprise for my nephews, we all got together for breakfast at the local restaurant the following Saturday. That was part of our kid’s plans, which we did not know about, until the girls arrived. 

Scrap wood project

While the girls spent a couple of days with us, our grand daughter wanted not only snuggle time but the crafty time her and mom do at home. She wanted to make something with wood, scrap wood would be fine, however; we had to scale down what she actually wanted to build. She had in her mind to build a tree house. We convinced her to do something smaller so grandpa and Zeely made a bookshelf.

My son and grandchildren

To end our good, quality, fun family time we met, at our son’s home, after church Sunday. We celebrated the upcoming 5^th birthday of my grandson.

Our kids and 3 of the grandchildren

  

Snow Drop Flowers:Tiny yet Beautiful

 Snowdrop flowers are as a ray of hope, for all in the colder climates, that winter is ending and spring is right around the corner.

The snowdrop flower is actually a winter flower that peeks there little heads up even if there is snow on the ground.

Snowdrops are tiny little flowers so trying to get a unique, yet lovely photography, can be challenging. I hope you agree with me that I have succeeded in getting at least one good one.

Now if the winter in Indiana would actually end and springtime weather gets here.