casual friday - writing prompt

happy friday!

it's summer, and time to think about getting off dry land.  here's your question:

what is your favorite water transportation?  who else would be in your boat, and where would you be - lake, ocean, etc.?

in my ideal, i am canoeing on a peaceful lake in maine with my mother.  she is bossy, and tells me on which side to put my paddle.  this doesn't bother me, however, and we have a relaxing conversation as we go under the bridge and into the smaller part of the lake.  we see the plants coming up through the water, and push off rocks with the oars to avoid getting stuck.  the weather is lovely, so while we are getting exercise, it's not strenuous.  when finished, together we drag the canoe out of the water and turn it upside down on the wooden rack.  

your turn..

barge 2

to me the ohio river is art.  to others, it's a place to take a boat, park outside the riverbend music center during a concert and enjoy the fresh air and music.  yet, it's still a highway, a practical place to transport really big goods.  

it's really impressive to watch these quiet barges go by.  and in the wake,

so tiny, you might not be able to see it, was a kayak.  one person, tiny boat, big river.  

useful beauty.  

joy to you!

barge

peace.

(computer going in for repair - see you soon?)

new ducks

 little fuzzy ducks were the surprise on the far side of mirror lake in eden park.  they clusted next to their mama, except

 for the independent one, off exploring already.  during my second lap,

i watched her lead the way into the water.  

there's where the idiom comes from - they took to swimming like a duck to water.  

joy to you.

summer read - what alice forgot

what alice forgot is already gone.  a friend is going on vacation tomorrow, and there it went - pure entertainment for a long car ride.  luckily i had her snap this photo before they left.

in this book, alice wakes up on a cold gym floor.  she's 29, expecting her first child, and can't remember what she ate for breakfast.  the emts are gentle, but the stretcher carries her past people who know her, whom she does not recognize.  alice is deeply in love with her husband, and can't understand why he does not come to the hospital.  

one shock follows another.  she's not pregnant.  she's getting divorced.  she has 3 children and is really 39.  

whew.  that was some concussion.  i recommend this book for poolside, traveling, or stress relief reading.  it captures your attention, and keeps it.  best of all, when you finish reading, you still have lots to think about.  what would your younger self think of your life today?  

summer reading recommendations?

beautiful relaxation.

monday color - blue

 it's hard to see, but the blue is what we're looking for.

 we see this,

 but are looking for only these.

 the blue ones.

fresh blueberry joy.

what's your color today?

welcome home

home from singapore, safe and sound.

peace.

casual friday - box

 don't you love big cardboard boxes?

 so useful to children.

 hours of play

 create a secretive 

 clubhouse.  it has useful things like coasters for cold drinks,

 a skylight with arrows, 

 weapons, 

and a radio, just in case there is a baseball game on.  

happy weekend!

newport aquarium

moray eel

shark viewing theater

tiny, shy eels

electric eel.  did you know their stomach and body functions are very close to their head, and the rest of the long body is used to create the electricity.  very interesting creature!

american alligator

ray shark named "sweet pea"

at the exit, you can see the above-the-water view.  wow.  

newport aquarium - highly recommended.

watery beauty.

in the pool

having fun,

but not getting wet.

making summer memories.  i looked behind me,

and saw this nice view.

how's your summer coming?

joy to you.

a few animals

 nice view of the polar bear habitat - next time i'll share the bears.

the beauty of animals.  

joy!

greenfield plant farm

 at greenfield, you walk through a little "covered bridge" to enter.

 from inside, you see delightful views and

 garden art.

 next you see pleasing objects, such as a large mailbox with the kindred spirit hand painted on the side.  if you love to garden, don't you love kindred folk?  (even if you are a weekend digger like me, you count!)

 it may not occur to you (it didn't me) to bring your camera.  at least the flower looks lovely.  (the bee.. not so much!)

 did i mention the pleasing objects?  how about a green footed bathtub, loaded for summer, or

the tortoise on the table?  

lesson learned:  bring your camera when you go buy flowers.

growing joy to you.