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Sky Watch, Midweek Blues,
Pink Saturday, Today’s Flowers, and Mosaic Monday
Sky Watch, Midweek Blues,
Pink Saturday, Today’s Flowers, and Mosaic Monday
Click for others participating in Friday’s Fave Five
1. The first four days of tennis at Wimbledon have been most memorable …
(FYI – I shared my thoughts about Day 3 at Small Reflections on Thursday and more photos at Sacred Ruminations on Saturday in Windows & Reflections at Wimbledon)… especially the first round ‘marathon match’ between John Isner of the USA and Nicolas Mahut of France that lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes over a three-day period. Because I’m in Los Angeles (not in England), I’m grateful for the excellent coverage by ESPN though it’s been challenging setting the DVR to switch back and forth from ESPN2 and ESPNU. Amazingly Mahut (who lost the epic match 68-70) was back on court 18 just about an hour after it ended … playing doubles with his friend Arnaud Clement and that match was suspended for darkness (after the they lost the first set), so play will continue Friday. They’re 4th up, so it’s possible play could be suspended yet again if they take the second set. In addition on court 5, Isner will take on his 2nd round opponent Thiemo de Bakker of Holland (who played a shorter 5-setter over two days but had Thursday off to rest) finally on Friday. If he makes it through this match (and the next against Xavier Malisse) he could come up against Rafa Nadal in the 4th round for one more hurdle in his second Wimbledon appearance ever.
Click any image to embiggen for better viewing
2. I’m relieved that Roger Federer, Andy Roddick, Leyton Hewitt, and Rafa Nadal have survived the early rounds and hope things continue ‘on track’ for them. On the women’s side, Venus and Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Justine Henin, and Kim Clijsters are all off to an excellent start and I’m hopeful all my favorite players will make it to the Quarter Finals. In addition, I’ve enjoyed using my Nikon D60 to take photos of ESPN’s television coverage and Photoshop Elements to ‘crop & edit’ them to share … just because. Here are a few more from the Isner-Mahut match … and (although a totally accidental capture), the first is my personal favorite.
3. Once the morning low clouds (otherwise known as ‘June gloom’) disappears here at the beach in Southern California, skies have been blue for the most part this week with a few wispy white clouds.
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others participating in Sky Watch and Midweek Blues
others participating in Sky Watch and Midweek Blues
4. While eating breakfast out with a friend at Coco’s recently we happened upon pink impatiens in parking lot planters. Below I’ve shared the mosaic I made with images straight out of the camera, then with the palette knife, watercolor, and finally poster edges filters … just because.
Click to embiggen for better viewing and for others
participating in Pink Saturday, Today’s Flowers,
and Mosaic Monday
participating in Pink Saturday, Today’s Flowers,
and Mosaic Monday
5. My sister called twice from the road this past week … we talked for more than an hour each time. It’s good to catch up with their travels this way. Her husband sent photos in email and I enjoyed seeing them in the midst of their travels too. This one is my favorite because I remember how much my sister loved to sit in trees and watch from above when we were kids.
Thought for Today
“Be an experimental person. Break up fixed routines. Expose yourself to new restaurants, new books, new theatres, new friends; take a different route to work someday, take a different vacation this year, do something new and different this weekend.” David J. Schwartz
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Scroll down for Shadow Shots,
Sky Watch, Midweek Blues, Yard Art,
Weekend Reflections & my May Gratitude List
Sky Watch, Midweek Blues, Yard Art,
Weekend Reflections & my May Gratitude List
Click to embiggen for better viewing and for
others participating in Pink Saturday,
Today’s Flowers, and Macro Monday
others participating in Pink Saturday,
Today’s Flowers, and Macro Monday
Straight out of the camera above & Poster Edges below
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others sharing Shadow Shots on Sunday
others sharing Shadow Shots on Sunday
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others participating in Sky Watch and Midweek Blues
others participating in Sky Watch and Midweek Blues
Click to embiggen for better viewing and
for others sharing Yard Art
for others sharing Yard Art
Straight out of the camera
Palette Knife Filter
Watercolor Filter
Click to embiggen for better viewing and
for others sharing Weekend Reflections
for others sharing Weekend Reflections
“Smile, breathe and go slowly.” Thich Nhat Hanh
South Breeze Farm hosted the Giving Thanks Challenge and I participated at Small Reflections in November of 2008 and decided to continue indefinitely … generating the following list one day at a time throughout the month of August. I’ve decided to transfer the lists at the end of each month from Small Reflections to Happily Retired Gal … just because. Click to see previous lists already published here.
1. I’m glad to have transferred my April Gratitude List to Happily Retired Gal at WordPress this morning along with my post with miscellaneous weekend memes so I can begin my May list this afternoon.2. to have Internet access (with help this morning from Time Warner Cable Tech Support) after my D-Link router failed yesterday leaving me w/o access when I returned home from the ‘Eagles’ matinee performance at the Blue Moon Theatre and dinner at Knott’s Berry Farm.
3. for pleasant ‘gardening’ weather over the last couple of days … making the time pulling weeds, cleaning up my yard, and tilling the soil for new planting all the more enjoyable.
4. my $30 refund check from Staples (for recycling old printer cartridges) arrived in a timely manner to help defray the cost of a new wireless router … the Home Valet Plus from Cisco, an easy to use system.
5. one Gladiola shoot survived ‘doggie play’ and is beginning to produce lovely pink blossoms from the bottom up. I’ll share photos soon.
6. I remembered to celebrate (belatedly) my 500th post at Sacred Ruminations and plan to celebrate my 250th post at Happily Retired Gal tomorrow when I share my Fave Five on Friday (and possibly a few weekend memes) there.
7. for the folks at SimpleTruths.com and the resources they make available … like this brief inspirational video Dreams are Whispers from the Soul …
8. to hear from my sister (after more than a week w/o contact) and catch up on travel adventures in the Southwest …
9. for those who send me occasional emails that remind me of what I know, but tend to forget in the busy day-to-day activities of my life.
10. for the monthly opportunity to connect & catch up with retired friends over lunch today …
11. that I decided to cut myself some slack and skip this session at the local Adult School because it’s given me time to do other things with my mornings.
12. the small market a few blocks from home carries ‘half & half’ so that I can walk to replenish my supply when I run low rather than drive to the supermarket.
13. for the $20 I saved at Petco today (using my card along with coupons) when I stocked up on treats & chews for Molly.
14. to be able to help a friend with email issues by setting up a ‘gmail’ account for her that imports her verizon.net email and replies as if she was actually using the Verizon account without having to put up with its ‘quirks’ … pretty nifty.
15. to have finally found time to create and publish ‘a catch up post’ here at Small Reflections and to share lovely pink gladiola blossoms at Happily Retired Gal (after about a week of non-computer related activities kept me away from this virtual world). I appreciate continued your visits & supportive comments … thanks so much!
16. for delightful phone connections with friends & family during this weekend and a fun visit to a local nursery with a friend during which I picked up a variety of colorful bedding plants for my yard.
17. I saved almost $43 on my grocery shopping bill today using coupons!
18. to have fresh produce and food in the fridge this morning with numerous ‘options’ from which to choose for breakfast 😉
19. to get half of the new bedding plants in the ground this afternoon when the drizzles cleared.
20. for a lovely afternoon at the Laguna Playhouse followed by an early dinner at the Beachcomber on the beach in Crystal Cove … an absolutely delightful outing!
21. the remaining bedding plants are in the ground and everything seems to be surviving just fine.
22. that the French Open begins tomorrow so there will be TENNIS to watch for two weeks 😉
23. I won those free tickets to the three Pacific Chorale concerts … the 3rd concert is tonight: Rachmaninov Vespers.
24. for my DVR capturing matches so I’ve had TENNIS to watch today.
25. it rained in Paris so I could catch up on yesterday’s matches before the DVR dumped them to record new matches.
26. for a new perm … I love wash & wear ‘care-free- hair!
27. we’ve had warmer sunnier weather here in So Cal at the beach this week.
28. I learned about Google Docs in an Adult School class this morning.
29. the gal at Time Warner Cable ‘tech support’ got the Tennis Channel to work again fairly quickly this morning so I can record matches to watch later on today.
30. my neighbor picked up milk for me & BowWow Beanie toys for Molly at the market today … saving me a trip.
31. for an hour-long ‘catch up’ phone call from my sister who’s currently on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon after spending a week at Lake Powell without cell service.
FYI – My previous Gratitude Lists can be found at Happily Retired Gal, my new WordPress site. It is my intention to keep this ‘Daily Gratitude List’ in my sidebar indefinitely because I believe it makes sense to focus on what’s right in our lives regularly. Click for:
2010 Lists –May, April, March, February, January
2009 Lists – December, November,
October, September, August, July, June, May, April, March, February, January
2008 Lists – December, November
Thought for Today
“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say ‘thank you?'” William A. Ward
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Scroll down for Thursday Thirteen, Haiku Friday Sky Watch,
Camera Critters, Midweek Blues, Window Views
and Weekend Reflections
Camera Critters, Midweek Blues, Window Views
and Weekend Reflections
Mary the teach at Work of the Poet
has asked bloggers to share Yard Art on Thursdays …
Lots of people who live near the beach
in Southern California ‘decorate’ their yards
(often in unique ways) so I’ll have a steady supply!
has asked bloggers to share Yard Art on Thursdays …
Lots of people who live near the beach
in Southern California ‘decorate’ their yards
(often in unique ways) so I’ll have a steady supply!
Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in Yard Art
and for others participating in Yard Art
Thirteen photographs
of a sparrow hanging out
in local palm trees
of a sparrow hanging out
in local palm trees
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others participating in Thursday Thirteen,
Haiku Friday, Sky Watch,
and Camera Critters
others participating in Thursday Thirteen,
Haiku Friday, Sky Watch,
and Camera Critters
Window Reflections
near Long Beach Marina with
beautiful blue skies
near Long Beach Marina with
beautiful blue skies
Click to embiggen for better viewing and for
others participating in Window Views, Weekend Reflections,
and Midweek Blues
others participating in Window Views, Weekend Reflections,
and Midweek Blues
Thought for Today
“”Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth.”
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein
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Sunrise this morning
beautiful to say the least …
colorfully PINK!
beautiful to say the least …
colorfully PINK!
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for others participating in Haiku Friday, Sky Watch,
Finding Beauty, Color Carnival and Pink Saturday
for others participating in Haiku Friday, Sky Watch,
Finding Beauty, Color Carnival and Pink Saturday
Thought for Today
“An idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it.” Bill Bernback
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Returning from a
sunset ‘photo shoot’ my eyes
spotted reflections
sunset ‘photo shoot’ my eyes
spotted reflections
in the windows of
these houses facing the beach
… sunset with palm trees.
these houses facing the beach
… sunset with palm trees.
The older I get
I find traditions changing
each and ev’ry year
I find traditions changing
each and ev’ry year
but it seems we will
gather as a family
once again this year 😉
gather as a family
once again this year 😉
Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in Haiku Friday, Sky Watch,
Pink Saturday, Weekend Reflections and Window Views
and for others participating in Haiku Friday, Sky Watch,
Pink Saturday, Weekend Reflections and Window Views
Experimenting
in Photoshop Elements
I came up with two
in Photoshop Elements
I came up with two
versions that I found
pleasing to my own eyes and
decided to share
pleasing to my own eyes and
decided to share
Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in Mosaic Monday and Blue Monday
and for others participating in Mosaic Monday and Blue Monday
![[CCsm.JPG]](https://i0.wp.com/2.bp.blogspot.com/_okDjWgwWPYE/SjgbTl1R4SI/AAAAAAAAHsw/82QmB8-Q1CQ/s1600/CCsm.JPG)
Multi-tasking at
busy times of year is the
best that I can do
busy times of year is the
best that I can do
Wishing everyone
joyful celebrations with
family and friends
joyful celebrations with
family and friends
Click to embiggen for better viewing
and for others participating in Color Carnival and Window Views
and for others participating in Color Carnival and Window Views
Thought for Today
“Weekends don’t count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless.”
Bill Watterson
Bill Watterson
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It’s been warm this week
lots of blue skies everywhere
as you can see here
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Thought for Today
“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” Thornton Wilder
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My Peace Globe is in the next post
Belatedly here …
I hope you enjoy thirteen
skies collaged below
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Thursday Thirteen, Sky Watch and Haiku Friday
See my other 2009 Peace Globes at
Thought for Today
“You are the storyteller of your life and you can create the legend or not.” Isabel Allende
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13 Sky Views from
my sister in Oregon
RV traveling
Collaboration..
I create the mosaics
then share on my blogs.
First mosaic has
13 pictures ‘stroke-outlined’
but no ‘layer styles’
Second Mosaic
features soft drop shadows and
beveled edges too
Click to embiggen and for others participating in …
Watery Wednesday (a little bit late)
Thursday Thirteen
Sky Watch and Haiku Friday
More variations
can be seen by clicking
the two links below
Thought for Today
“If we do not change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed.” Chinese Proverb
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Scroll down for Color Carnival
Above, my SKY view
is a favorite, but the
‘pinkish’ view below
is a close second …
Photoshop Experiments
yielded these results:
Accented Edges
Poster Edges
Click to ‘embiggen’ to see birds in flight and for others participating in
and Pink Saturday
Dramatic shifts
to my ‘pinkish’ skies emerged
with these two filters:
Solarize
Equalize
Click to embiggen to see birds in flight and for others participating in …
Thought for Today
“To be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” Nelson Mandela
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Sky photographs from
my sister in Alaska
RV traveling
Collaboration..
I create the mosaics
then share on my blogs.
Skies around Petersburg, Alaska
Straight Out of the Camera
Poster Edges
Click to embiggen & for others participating in
Sky Watch, Haiku Friday and Scenic Sunday
see also my lovely sunset views at Small Reflections today.
Thought for Today
“No man is an island entirely to himself; each man is a piece of the continent.” John Donne
Click for comments at the TOP of the post under the title, rather than at the bottom ;–)
13 more photos
from my sister on the road …
RV traveling
Collaboration..
I create the mosaics
then share on my blogs.
Bald Eagles in trees
Canadian Geese in flight
Soaring Hawks and more …
Straight Out of the Camera
Poster Edges
Poster Edges – Pinched
Click to embiggen & for others participating in
Thursday Thirteen, Sky Watch and Haiku Friday
Thought for Today
“Never interrupt someone doing something you said couldn’t be done.” Amelia Earhart
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scattered wispy clouds
return along with blue skies
backdrop for Palm Trees ;–)
Straight out of the Camera
Accented Edges
Poster Edges
Black & White – Scenic Landscape
Black & White – Infared
Click to embiggen & for others participating in
Thought for Today
“The essence of pleasure is spontaneity.” Germaine Greer
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13 photographs
Southern California skies
Thursday Mosaic
usual blue skies
with a touch of wispy white
heavy now with smoke
from the wildfires
burning in the Angeles
Forest uncontrolled
Click to embiggen & for others participating in
Thursday Thirteen, Sky Watch and Haiku Friday
Thought for Today
“Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.” the Dalai Lama
Click for comments at the TOP of the post under the title, rather than at the bottom ;–)
nifty beach sky views
no clouds … just a collection
13 kite surfers
more it seems each day
people taking up this sport
… ‘traffic’ in the skies
Click to embiggen & for others participating in
Thursday Thirteen, Sky Watch and Haiku Friday
Thought for Today
“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.” Anthony J. D’Angelo
FYI (in response to some recent questions from visitors having difficulty leaving comments) – If you’re on my HOME page, click for comments at the TOP of the post, but if you’re on the post page itself … for some unknown reason, the comments are WAY DOWN below the post itself … so don’t give up until you find them please ;–)
13 new sky views
unique cloud formations each
day … fascinating
experimenting
with filters for kewl effects …
‘cuz I’m curious ;–)
Click to embiggen & for others participating in
Thursday Thirteen, Sky Watch and Haiku Friday
Morning Musings …
Daily musings from
my penciled musings in my
hand-written journal
Click to ‘embiggen’ for better viewing …
and for other ‘morning musings’ at Sacred Ruminations
Click for other ‘musings’ at Small Reflections
and if you’d like to listen to the Simple Truths video clip
Thought for Today
“The person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.”
Albert Einstein
Happily Retired Gal 
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