Today's Flowers

angular ensemble

I appreciate your patience as I experiment with different ideas here. Just these last few days, we had turbid trees, Shakespearean Hokey Pokey, and who knows what else you'll find in upcoming weeks!

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Inspired by the photo in LL Barkat's post Random Acts of Poetry, I set out with my camera to intentionally procure angled shots. As soon as I got home, I got right to work with these flowers. One of my neighbors stared as I lay prostrate for a few snapshots.

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caught in the Web

I want to answer TWO tags today. First, is Ted's meme from a couple weeks ago. Sorry for dragging my feet, Bro!

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If it's okay Ted, I'll offer what I already did in May '07 (eight facts about me) and January '07 (five odd things about me). Check them out to see what I have to say about priesthood, peanut butter and lightnin'.

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Now, our dear friend LL Barkat, author of Stone Crossings added another. No--she concocted another. Yes folks, this one is her very own invention.

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The rules:

1. Write about 5 specific ways blogging has affected you, either positively or negatively.
2. Link back to the person who tagged you.
3. Link back to the parent post, so she can track the meme.
4. Tag a few friends or five, or none at all.
5. Post these rules-- or just have fun breaking them.

.5 Ways Blogging Changed My Life

1. I am learning how to talk to people. Those who know me, might not think that's a problem for me, but when I see that someone has joined a photo event, it's not enough to stamp "nice picture" on each and every entry. Plus, it's tempting to always talk about me, and I am trying to be less egocentric with my comments. I have found that it's easy to offend, so I try to be careful about what I say.
2. Initially, I thought blogging would bring more non-Christians into my life, and it has, but most of the Christians I know outside of the blogosphere are people who's doctrine lines up very close to my own. Blogging has provided a bridge to believers of varying stripes. I think I have learned from some, and hope that one or two have learned something from me as well.
3. Every now and then, I like to use a word that is specific to a situation or maybe punctuate something with a little pizazz. I'm no linguistic purist, but I just want my vocabulary to expand beyond the 500 most basic words in the commoner's tongue. While blogging, I have never once heard that phrase I dread: "Why don't you just speak English?" And when someone uses a word I don't know, it is sooooo easy to look it up, since I'm already online.
4. Did you ever pray with somebody real time, who is on a distant location of this planet? Praying with and for people is a wonderful privilege. It's special to be able to do that with someone who I never see face-to-face.
5. If my photographs were never viewed, but stealthily filed in a tiny chip, I doubt that I would be taking as many pictures and learning as much as I am now. The friends who take good pictures, and the friends who I take pictures for, these folks have sharpened my picture-taking skills far beyond what I would have done without blogging.

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Let's see... I think we might like to hear from

Carletta, Halfmom, Kim, Louise, and Sandman.

Of course, anyone can join in, who feels so inclined.

Lime, are you game? :-)

raptor rapsody

Dear friends, whilst reading yesterday's post, L.L. Barkat asked whether I was going to add bird watching to fishing as a pastime. Birds fascinate me... their ultralight skeletal structure, lung system, unique beauty, the way they find a lofty perch and catch spectacular views, and of course their ability to fly. I could go on, and on about why I like to observe birds! But I do not think I could develop a serious birdwatching hobby at the present, because of a couple things. First, there is the question of time. What would I cut into, to make time for birdwatching? (shudder) Second, I have a cheap pair of binoculars, and a book for identifying birds at home, but it would be so much easier if I went with someone who could "show me the ropes."

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Enter Billy, the seagull. He talks. I knew that some of you would be skeptical about the talking thing, which is why I provided photographic evidence.

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Billy knows a lot about fishing, and said that he could also show me where to look for birds, plus he has an insider's wealth of bird-knowledge. Can you believe my luck?!

mom meme

Six Random Things was sent by my friend L.L. Barkat, author of the new book, Stone Crossings. If you don't mind, I'll put a twist on this one, and take the opportunity to honor my mother.

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1. My mother is spontaneous. I think she is a sojourner at heart, enjoying the journey every bit as much as the destination, and flexible enough to adapt with all the twists and turns that come along the way.
2. She is creative and clever. She can think outside the box. Don't let it bother you that she beats you effortlessly at dominoes; you never really had a chance.
3. Mom is taller than my dad. Of course, he's 5'0" (and half-an-inch). Still, I will always look up to both of them.
4. She has birthmarks on her forearm that people always wonder about and sometimes ask. But they're just splotches of color. Maybe her melanin chose to band together and congregate there, separating from the rest of her skin. Because she is so fair, sometimes people guess that she might be from Eastern Europe rather than Puerto Rico.
5. She's a bargain-brand shopper. Never wasteful. I'll bet Dad likes that.
6. She loves to laugh. We can sit and visit and enjoy telling stories from a light perspective. Her laughter is affirming and encouraging.

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Let me add one more thing, just because. When I was little, I loved to draw and color. Right now, I can't remember a specific instance of sitting with her, but I feel close to Mom when I'm doing something artistic.

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As usual, I will break the rules and not tag specific people, but please use this meme if you feel so inclined. :-)

Tagging Rules:

• Link to the person who tagged you.
• Post the rules on your blog.
• Write six random things about yourself.
• Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs.
• Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment at their blog.
• Let your tagger know when your entry is up.