"Bearly" Old

It's time for some "take away." Instead of adding years to my age, I think I'll begin subtracting them. That way I will eventually connect with my inner child. I know she's in there somewhere. When presented with this birthday gift this past week, I felt her begin to emerge. Meet Bear.

What do you do with a bear as big as a full-size bed? Wrestle it of course. Granddaughter Samantha was fearless as she and Bear tumbled about the living room floor. She punched, twisted, tossed and body-slammed poor Bear for a good twenty minutes. The final score, according to my granddaughter, was: Bear 2; Samantha 100.

Textures

Shadows are more defined as the sun sinks into the horizon. Nature's textures are intriguing and demand attention.

Here are a few images from this evening's walk.

Observing Nature's Palette

Far off in the distance yet right in front of me; directly overhead but still beneath my feet; to my left, yet to my right; well behind me but still in sight...

Yes, Green is everywhere. The trees, bushes, and plethora of plants show they are survivors—despite the harsh Wisconsin winters. "Welcome, welcome, welcome" is all I have to say. "I'm glad to see you made it!"

On my porch hangs a luscious Fuschia plant. It attracts the first hummingbird of the season. Seeing it changes the rhythm of my heartbeat for an instant.

I am been blessed with good fortune this past week as a rainbow of colorful finches line the circumference of the feeder...purples and golds. A pair of black and orange Baltimore Orioles, a bright blue Indigo Bunting and black and white Rose-breasted Grosbeak color the landscape. Mourning Doves, Downy Woodpeckers, White-breasted Nuthatches, Northern Cardinals, Blue Jays, Red-winged Blackbirds, Northern Flickers, and untold species of sparrows stop by to say "Hello" and "I'm back."