Edward or Jacob?

Two sweet girls. If they could only stay this way forever! If they choose Team Edward forever could be a possibility. If they choose Team Jacob they could slow things down but things look dimmer. These two were getting ready to be on the same team this day. New crazy t-shirts were needed fo the Ultimate Challenge at school. A fun relay event where there's competition but also a competition for the loudest, craziest, team spirited team of students. The 8-W (White) team won which was the team these lovely girls were part of. Team Edward or Team Jacob? If you have a teenage girl around just ask her....she'll understand! Vampire or Warewolfe? ----Twlight!!

Frogger

Can you spot the croakers? Soon we'll be able to find some frogs again. We spotted these guys last summer singing a few songs.

March Madness to April Winners

Our basketball net hasn't heard a swoosh for quite awhile. There was a time that this net was visited daily in sunshine, rain, and even snow. We would pull up the drive and open the garage door and the basketball was always waiting even just for one or two attempted dunks. All that swooshing is currently taking place on college basketball courts across the country. I enjoy following college sports no matter what the sport. The madness is shared everywhere. Basketball is the current highlighted sport with the sweet 16 tournaments just ending and getting ready to head to The final Four. North Carolina!?

Mossy Oak

The Old Oak Tree

This is an old spreading oak.
Its beauty maybe you won’t see.
It’s been a refuge in life’s storms;
And still it stands with open arms.
No one knows its date of birth,
Just when it sprouted from the earth,
Yet since it was a little tree,
It had its share of company.
The old cypress bench smooth and worn,
Where men gathered and sat upon;
To smoke and talk and, wistfully,
Lean against the tree.
They told old tales of love and life,
As the old whittler smiled and carved with his knife.
When as a child I passed the tree
I thought, what a friendly place to be.
It will never have a lonely day,
Cause it’s been a friend in every way
I know that there will always be
Someone to love the old oak tree.
Now, whenever I go away, no matter where I roam
When I see the hanging moss and the old oak tree
I know that I have come home.

1956 by Emily Altazan Andre’

Just to brighten the day

If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom. ~Audra Foveo

...Where Hero's rest

Today's picture is a tribute and thanks to the real hero's in our society. Not the movie stars, or the great singers, or the sports stars or batman, superman or the incredable hulk.... A huge thanks to the firemen both volunteer and paid and to EMTs. They are there in the middle of a sunny day and in the sleet and snow of a dark night. Several of my relatives offer theirselves to others on a daily basis. I say thanks and have deep gratitude towards them. They do what so many of us take for granted. This picture is a memorial to fallen heroes at the Greenwood Cemetary in New Orleans. As we were passing by I grabbed a hurried snapshot thinking of my relatives. Visit http://www.outskirtsofsuburbia.blogspot.com/ and see many great pictures dedicated to firefighters and their equipment and you'll also enjoy many great pics of local wildlife. Thank you to my relatives - you know who you are.... Much appreciation!

To enjoy how other's around the world spend their time click HERE.

Piano Festival '09

Spent all day yesterday at the 2009 Piano Festival held by the PMTA (Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association) at Messiah College. My daughter has attended this event for several years. The students practice and prepare for this months in advance. Everyone is judged individually as they would be if they were qualifing for a scholarship. We then can choose to attend a music class followed by a period of recital time. The day ends with a show for all. This year's show was a walk through the life of Johannes Brahms presented by Mr. Dennis Kobray. The show was very impressive and gathered my attention becasue of where these great artists got their start - Vienna, Austria! If you know me that's a dream to see and hear music in Vienna. Congratulation to my daughter for doing well in the festival this year and continue to love the piano. In another month she also has auditioned sucessfully to enter a Piano Extravaganza that is held every three years. Way to go!

On tour

We've all seen them somewhere. How many of you have said I'd like to ride one of them....? I'll readily admit that I'd like to jump on and make my way through town. Click on Segway to find out more of the appealing benefits to owning one of these. I wonder do they have their own little wave or secret jesture when passing one another?

Don't just 'Tip Toe' through life -- Charge Ahead!

Will the great white lights of Broadway be in the future of these kids? I'm sure that wasn't a thought in their heads. They were out there on stage giving it their best shot and having the time of their lives. Keep on living and dreaming and never quit trying something just because of what someone else might think or say. Live YOUR life!
At our school musical a large group of kids learned some fancy moves to the song Tip Toe. Get the rhythm!

Dancing Queen

This past weekend we enjoyed a night out at the theater at our local middle school. They celebrated 30 years since it has opened with a musical production. The kids were spectacular!!! What talent! My daughter was in three dances with different styles but I beleieve her favorite was Dancing Queen. After seeing the movie Mama Mia 20 times this dance was a natural for her. The program was an hour and a half with one song after another with a few quick changes in between. There were instrumentalists, singing, dancing, and more smiles than one could count. Over one third of the students at the school were involved in some way and you could feel their pride. This show just may include a top billing name in our future! --I better go snag some autographs. Keep on dancing!

Have a Green Day!

I may not live in the rolling green slopes of Ireland but where I live is just waiting to burst with the greenest of greens from one valley to the next. The first snapshot today is of the rolling hills in Adams County, Pennsylvania full of orchards growing apples, peaches, plums, and so much more. The second snapshot is of a private pathway in the middle of downtown New Orleans leading to a lavish courtyard. For those that are awaiting Spring and another season of color wear a little green today for St. Patricks Day and gain the luck of the Irish!

May joy and peace surround you, Contentment latch your door, And happiness be with you now And bless you evermore.

Check out how others around the world are enjoying 'their' world by clicking HERE!

Day is Done

Now the day is over,Night is drawing nigh,
Shadows of the eveningSteal across the sky.

Lake Ponchartrain, NOLA . 2009

UNO Groupies

Some charming characters are posted here today. These are a few of the University of New Orleans' baseball fans. Always ready to cheer them on win or lose - hot or cold - rain or sunshine. These fine folks took on my son for a week back during Hurricane Gustav. He had a great time while I was at home worried about the storm. I could never thank them enough. We had a fabulous time while visiting recently and have made some great friends. We had fun tailgating , cheerleading, and who could forget a great dinner date at Jacques-Imo's in Uptown NOLA and The Thai Orchid restrauant in Slidell. Everytime we head down south I'm in awe of the wonderful hospitality. Thank you again my fellow UNO fans and can't wait to catch up soon!

Lake Pontchartrain retreat

From the shores of Lake Pontchartrain... Being that's it's been quite the busy busy week without a moment to do any pondering I long to be back in this spot. From this vantage point you can see the pier where I am told some great fishing occurs but where were all the fisherman this day> I believe they were all out on their sailboats. Click on the picture to enlarge it and see the many sails. In the distant backgroud is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway bridge that spans 26 miles across the the lake. It is the longest bridge in the United States to cross completely over water. I was sitting on a bench this day and completely enjoyed the quiet and the stillness. Since I cannot be there I'll just dream...

Batman's daytime car?

So who do think drives this wicked little machine? It looks fast even when it's sitting still. I hope someone gets to enjoy it out in the open highway away from city potholed streets.

Iron Works

Everywhere you turn in New Orleans there's wrought iron twisted into the most magnificent details. My world this week has been marveling at the handiwork of all these wonderful art forms. Some of these gates, doors, fences etc.. are over 250 years old. These beautiful pieces remind me of all the gates in Charleston, South Carolina. Where are all these hidden blacksmiths today? Drop by http://showyourworld.blogspot.com/ and go on an adventure to see how others around the world tell of their adventures.

Convers-ly Peace!

Today's picture is made by my daughter. She's such an old soul. Her favorite band is the Beatles, and her favorite shoes are Converse. Does this describe a teenage girl from 2009 or 1962? This is her collection of Converse sneakers portrayed in a peace symbol. Being that she's quite the bargain hunter she has acquired most of these at a bargain price over the past few years. They make a very daring fashion statement. My hope for her is that she continues to do her own thing and not be swayed by others. Her ultimate dream? World Peace!!

Let the games begin!

Spent most of the last week in New Orleans seeing my son play baseball. That's right the season has begun and Spring is on it's way! It was great to be with my son and his friends and their parents. We've made some great friends in the bleachers and enjoy their company and hospitality towards my family. We spent most of our time in the bleachers but we also were able to enjoy the great food only New Orleans can offer along with the sights. I even acquired a few of those left over beads from Mardi Gras! It's going to be a tough year for my sons team but it's still exciting. Over 8 players from his team were drafted into some level of the MLB last year so we are left with a rebuilding year. We can't wait to get back there and get back into those bleachers and root for the Privateers!