I've decided to head into 2011 with the faith of a child ... BELIEVING!

I've decided to head into 2011 with the faith of a child ... believing in the miracles that so many desperately need, praying for those that are hurting and looking for simplicity and the joys within it. Here’s wishing you all a Very Happy New Year's Eve with the hope that 2011 will bring you all a feeling of peace within. Let 2011 be the year of good health & a year to have fun, laugh more and most of all ENJOY! ♥

The faith of a child … if only life were still that simple.

"Maybe Christmas", he thought, "doesn't come from a store." "Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more."

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.  Maybe Christmas ... perhaps ... means a little bit more."

Yep, It's Cold Out!!

It's My Udder Brudder's Birthday

It’s my udder brudder’s, my baby brother’s, birthday today!! Love you Michael, love your warped sick sense of humor, love your gentle caring ways, your sensitivity and your creativity. You’re talented in both music and art, you’re loyal, funny, kind, caring and sarcastic. You know how to really laugh, you give great bear hugs and, at times, you really know how to piss me off.  Growing up your really didn’t get in that much trouble, although I do remember you coming home from school once in handcuffs, real handcuffs without a key!  Mom and Dad were away, so being the KIND sister that I AM (after I made you cry saying you had to wait till they got home which I believe was a week away) I drove you down to the Springfield Police Station where we found a nice cop whom, with grin on his face, unlocked them for you!! Remember that, you were about 7!!  Anywhichway, speaking of YOUR MANY TALENTS, after you ENJOY your birthday which I really hope you enjoy would you get your ass over here and finish my kitchen for me?  PLEASE OH PRETTY PLEASE!!   xxxx :-))))))

It's Beginning To Look A Bit Like Christmas!!

Firebird Festival 2010

Dancing Dragons

Jingle Ball 2010

"Jingle Ball" Feet!

Happy Happy Birthday David!!

Happy Happy Birthday David!! ♥

I love my brother. I really do & I would never suggest otherwise.  I remember the day he was born. Almost 5 I was & he was mine, mine to play with mine, mine to mother!

I loved you dearly David. Then things began to change. My sweet little kitten went missing. Poor little Footso was found half dead in the little trunk on the back of your tricycle after almost a week!! Mom saved my poor little Footso by wrapping him up in blankets with a hot water bottle & feeding him warm milk with a teaspoon. Little Footso made a full recovery no thanks to you. Dave, you then took that poor kitten in the bathtub with you. Scratched to bits you were & it serves you bloody well right!!!  You got a Bundt pan stuck on your head when you were 2 AND I’ll never forgive you for getting your legs stuck in my favorite chair.  I loved that little white chair & because you got your fat legs stuck in it, Dad had to saw it in half.  You set the house on fire before you were walking, you drank Dettol and you once threw a brick up in the air and watched it come down on your head.  I must say, I don’t think you’ve been quite the same since!! Despite all the horrors that you caused, I actually still love ya & am glad you’re my brudder! Happy Happy Birthday David & here’s to many many more!!  Oh and as the old saying goes, paybacks are a bitch and life ain’t over yet!!   HeeHee

A little Critter Climbing A Sycamore Tree

A little critter climbing a sycamore tree, she's looking 
back with a baby hanging on her neck!!
Do you see them and no, I'm not crazy!!  ;-)

Old & Forgotten 10'31'2010

Pawlings/Wetheril Mansion at Valley Forge Park, once loved 
now long forgotten.

If only it could talk, think of the stories it could tell!

Valley Forge off the beaten Trail 10'31'2010

A Colorful Drive To Work!

A Whole Bunch Of Wishes!

What Kind Of Spider Is This?? Neoscona crucifera

Anyone know what kind of spider this is?  It's hanging just outside my backdoor.

Update:  Thanks to Eric over at Spider ID!! :)    "Definitely an orb weaver, but I'm fairly certain it is Neoscona crucifera"  

You can always find something beautiful amongst the sadness.

You can always find something beautiful amongst the sadness. I just found it right outside my back door! :)

~ Fly High Sweet Dan Fly High ~

Valley Forge Park 08'20'2010

Someone plugged him in!!!

"I can't seeeeeeee!!!"

Walnut Hill Barn on Pawling's Farm 

Walnut Hill Barn on Pawling's Farm (in the fall)

Tillie!

Mom's New Kitten!

"Ode" To A Show Off

Mama Cleaning Off Her Newborn Babe!

Mama and her newborn itty bitty babe!

Missed the actual birth, but did see this little guy take his first steps on some wobbly little legs!! Mama is busy here cleaning him off. If only I had my 'real' camera with me!! This was taken tonight, June 2nd, at Valley Forge National Park. with a crappy little digital I carry around on my bike.

It may have been a wet and dreary day, but ...

It may have been a wet and dreary day, but ...

Hello World - Praying Mantis Style That Is!

When hatching they crawl from between the tiny flaps in the egg case and hang 
from silk threads about 2" below the case. You can see 3 of them here crawling 
out from under the flaps in this pic
.

You can see the silk threads in this pic too

There's 4 or 5 poking out of the flaps - they're worm like as they emerge.

They hang until they dry out and then they either fall to the ground or crawl up 
and on to the plants around them. I only saw 4 or 5 fall to the ground. The rest 
clambered up.

This was the last of the bunch. They hung out like this till they were dry 

and then they too climbed back up the silk threads and onto the plants.