Friday's Window Dressing 04-15-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Friday.  Well, today, after the internet guy came and went, I headed out toward the zoo.  I had charged all my batteries, cleaned all my lenses, packed up my gear and made sure I had my floppy hat in the car.  One thing I didn't count on - my allergies.  Although I had taken my allergy medication, including nose spray and eye drops, just 5 miles down the road, windows up, my eyes began watering and my sinuses felt swollen and painful, and nasal breathing became a memory.   So, I turned the car around and came back home, wondering what I would do for tonight's blog.

Lucky for me I have beautiful azaleas blooming outside my living room window.  While I would much rather be outside, sinus pain is keeping me indoors.  At least I have a good view.  I am grateful.

I hope you had a no pain Friday and a reason to be grateful.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Tuesday's Spring Azalea 03-22-16

Copyright 2016 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Tuesday.  This is one of my azalea blooms, which is just in time for spring.   I love azaleas.  When I was growing up, my Mom had planted some wonderful azalea plants around the front porch and they grew bigger and better every year.  To my recollection those azaleas were never trimmed, and we didn't care - they were fabulous!  As an adult I have planted several azaleas at places I've lived and not one has ever flourished.  The one you see today was planted by the previous owner of my current house and I am grateful.  And, I have always been grateful to my mother for all of the beauty she brought into my life.

I hope you enjoyed this beautiful spring day and that you had occasion to be grateful.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Thursday's Azalea 12-3-15

Copyright 2015 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Thursday.  Today I have another flower - azalea - that shouldn't bloom during this time of year.  That's ok by me.  I am going to be grateful and enjoy my unexpected blessing.
After all, I've been told we should find at least three things that we're grateful for every day.  That way we never have a bad day.

I'm sharing one of my three good things with you.  I hope maybe it will become one of your grateful things today as well.  If not, well that's ok.  At least you looked,  Oh wait, your looking makes me have another thing to be grateful for today!

I hope you had a great Thursday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Wednesday's Window 11-25-15

Copyright 2015 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Wednesday.  On this day before Thanksgiving, I thought I'd give you a nice window view.  This particular one is in Florida - St. Augustine to be exact.  The time of day is a couple of hours past sunrise when there are only a few people on the beach.  This is my favorite time of day - a slow, easy morning.  I don't get many of these times, so when I do, they are cherished.  Tomorrow will be one of those mornings and I am so looking forward to it.  I will be thankful.

I hope you had a wonderful Wednesday.  I hope you had a reason to be grateful.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Saturday's Misty Morning 11-21-15

Misty Morning Saturday
Copyright 2015 AJ Horton

Hello and happy Saturday.  This morning while walking the dogs, I happened upon this lovely scene.  This time of year is great for capturing the early morning mist on the water and I was grateful that I had my camera. " Mist is tiny droplets of water hanging in the air. These droplets form when warmer water in the air is rapidlycooled, causing it to change from invisible gas to tiny visible water droplets" as defined by the National Geographic website.   Actually, this time of year you don't have to get up very early to catch this phenomenon as we were walking the dogs around 8 a.m.  The sun hadn't been up very long and some of the fall colors were still around even though it's nearing the end of November.    

I hope you had a chance to enjoy and be grateful for your Saturday.  Thank you for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Wednesday's Trio

Copyright AJ Horton

Hello on Wednesday.  Here's a trio of young herons looking out for you.  This is one of the rare occasions where I saw all three taking in the view.  These babies will leave the nest soon.  I am very fortunate to have been able to see and photograph them this year.  I will go out again this weekend to see if they're still around - six weeks or so is about all the time they need to get ready to leave the nest and it's been that long already.  Maybe they'll be grateful for all their mom has done for them and want to stay around a little longer.  I know I'm grateful every time I see them.

I hope you had a wonderful Wednesday.  I hope you've found something to be grateful for today.  Thanks for looking.  See you tomorrow.

Sunday's Friends

Copyright AJ Horton

Today is Sunday.  I've had a long day.  It's late as I write this.  And as I look for an appropriate picture that lets you know how I feel about Sundays, I come across this gem.  Sundays are special days and they require special feelings, special events.   As I look at this photo of my friends I am taken back to a special, although cold,  day in northern North Carolina when we joined a group for a paddle down the (I believe) Roanoke River.  We paddled, we talked, we laughed - an all around great day.  Isn't that what Sundays are about - getting together with like minded people and celebrating  the joys of this earth and of our creator?   This is my "church".  I don't need a building.  I need the creation.  I need the earth, the sky, the trees, the water, the family, the friends.   This is where I feel closest to my creator.  I believe this particular photo was taken on a Saturday - but it was MY Sunday, MY most grateful day of the week.  

Thanks for looking.  Hope you had a great Sunday celebration.  See you tomorrow.