Beautiful Spring ~ March 31, 2010

It was a perfect spring day here-in fact the past several days have been very fine!

( Click on pics to enlarge )

Oh! Spring is in full swing right now and is much too fleeting to suit me, once it starts it's thing!






In my yard, my red bud blooms and the white plum blossoms are almost over- though in other places around town they are still showing! It's a pleasant drive, where ever we go.

Of course the Camellias have had their time for this season, too.


Dogwood trees are in bloom also. I have one tree and it has a nice spread of blooms but not as much as it might in a sunnier location. On our street are several others in full bloom, so I count my blessings!











The Wisteria is blooming too- a once a year-short duration bloomer, but a flower I truly love; it has such a sweet and delicate fragrance and soft blue/violet color! I will take some pictures when it's bloomed out more.

Even my little meadow wildflowers are starting to bloom...I was afraid C. had cut the meadow too late to have many blooms but it looks like they will make it after all! We'll see-I love that meadow and so do the butterflies! :)









But the stars right at this moment are...the Azaleas and they are unbelievable in their beauty! Everywhere you look -driving anywhere- or in my case just looking out my window- we see a profusion of various shades of pink and white. When in full bloom you see hardly any green at all!



I was outside for awhile today and I picked some of the Azaleas for bouquets in my house!





Tomorrow is my husband's birthday and we will be going out for dinner with some of the family. We haven't decided where we'll go yet-guess we'll let C. pick the place! :)

On Easter Sunday we'll have a family dinner here which I will prepare. Am looking forward to seeing my Kids and Grands or as many as can make it! Oh! Yes, I'll do my colored eggs too....wonder if I can get anyone to hunt for them! :)



Enjoy your spring,

Junie

Sepia Scenes~ 'Mom's Fountain' ( for 3-30-'10 )

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My Sepia Scenes post is at 'Our Place' this time.

Click on link to view .

Rudy Tuesday~ Mar 30, 2010 ~ Mr. & Mrs. Cardinal

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It's time for sharing Ruby Tuesday posts!

*Visit Mary* to find other RT posts!


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This is a couple who visit my backyard often!
I photographed them (through my kitchen window) on two separate occasions recently.

Junie

Sad/Happy Day

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Today my sister and I had a day out together.

We had been wanting/needing to take flowers out for mom for a couple weeks and we finally got the chance today. As always it provoked feelings of sadness (always will, I think) but happiness too! Thinking of Mom and talking of her is always that bittersweet mixture of emotions for Joy and me.

We stopped by 'Michael's' to get some pretty spring flowers, on the way out! They have a big selection and we had trouble choosing but we finally decided on this mixed bouquet.

Such sweet little flowers for spring!
Mom would love them!

~My sis and me, with Mom's flowers~

Junie

Shadow Shot Sunday-Mar 28, 2010 ~General in the shadows~

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Time for our shadow pictures!

Visit *THIS SITE* to find many more!

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This is my cat,

'General,'

relaxing in the late afternoon shadows yesterday!

Junie

Update on critter visits:

Update to Update: lol

Anyone following my Critters saga might like to read comments left in the post below this one.


Junie

Update:
on critter visits!





Oh, my!

Thought I had things under control, after feeding my cats and latching the screen.

Well, one last look-late-late into the night (2:30 AM)- I was to see that I again had a critter visiting! This time it was the Raccoon! He was calmly helping himself to the leftover Meow Mix-just as the 'possum had done the previous night!

The cats, again, were undisturbed by the strange animal sharing their food.

Since he was there, I hoped I could get a picture of him but when I got my camera and got close to the door he quickly left the scene!

Since the door was secured he had found a hole in the screen to enter and exit the porch!
I had known of this hole in the screen -(which was made by my big cat, General, awhile back when he had become impatient to be out after being in for the night!) but I had thought the wild animals would not be aware of it and hoped the latched door would keep them out! I was wrong!

When the raccoon would see me watching he would leave -but would return 3 times to finish up his meal!

He obviously was no threat to my cats so there was nothing I could do, immediately, except watch!

But -I tell you- it gives you an eerie feeling to realize there are strange things coming into your space in the wee hours! What next- a bear??
(really-we DO have bears in our area- or at least a few miles from us in the Ocala National Forest)

And - what am I to do about all this??

I love and respect wildlife but I don't like these close encounters with these animals!


Junie

Camera Critters ~ 3~26~'10 ~ 'Un-invited Guest'

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*Go here* to find more CC posts!

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Last night, when I went to see if my 3 cats were settled in for the night on the back porch, I had a bit of an unpleasant surprise waiting for me!

Let me explain a little about the situation first...
The porch is screened but I have been leaving the screen door open so the cats can come and go -since the weather has been more often bad than good lately. In fact, last night was a rainy night and so I had left the door open so the cats could have a cozy place to sleep.
(They do have a fine place on the patio, but I feel better having them under our roof, especially when it's cold or rainy.)

Apparently, another little creature was in need of shelter too- or just hungry for the meow mix I had served my kitties! When I looked out the sliding glass door, separating our family room from the porch, this is what I saw! This is the biggest opossum (Possum) I've ever seen!




Yikes! You can bet I didn't dare open that door...He was just sniffing around looking for food...The 3 cats were there but didn't seem at all perturbed by the visitor....nor did they greet him or show any friendly gestures toward him! (Thankfully!) I would guess they have seen these critters before...and while not afraid of them will, respectfully, keep a distance from them!

I, of course, grabbed my camera but the pics are not that great-shot through the glass door! It's the best I could do!! It didn't take him long to realize he was being watched and made a quick exit out the door!!

Sorry - animal lover that I am I have to say there's nothing appealing about a Possum; he creeped me out, to be honest about it!! They are so 'alien-looking!'

A few weeks ago I saw a Raccoon on the porch-but I didn't get his picture. Actually , he was looking in at me- right up to the glass door! At least the Raccoon was cute... and I would have liked to get his picture! (through the glass)

From now on the screen will be latched by nightfall-and my cats will just have to be captives overnight!



PS-Does anyone know how to get rid of these critters??


Junie

It's "Daughter Week!"

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

IT'S "DAUGHTER WEEK" :


If you have a daughter
who makes your life interesting and fun, who has been a blessing in your
life and makes life worth living just by being around - copy and paste
this to your blog. Your daughters will outgrow your lap, but never
your heart.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Lucky me! I have 2 daughters and a son!
:)
(plus a whole bunch more cool 'add-ons' that came later!)

I'm well blessed!


My kids:

Christopher,
Tammy (in red)
Tina (in pink)


Love,
Mom

( Junie Rose )

Add a caption

IT'S "DAUGHTER WEEK" : If you have a daughter who makes your life interesting and fun, who has been a blessing in your life and makes life worth living just by being around - copy and paste this to your status. Your daughters will outgrow your lap, but never your heart. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Don't Give Up

~a song for our times~

Almost a year ago I posted version one of this song by Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush.
This is version two of the song!

This song really gets to me!

Several other videos can be found of others performing this song, but none as well as Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush-IMO

Enjoy!

Don't give up

In this proud land we grew up strong
We were wanted all along
I was taught to fight, taught to win
I never thought I could fail

No fight left or so it seems
I am a man whose dreams have all deserted
Ive changed my face, Ive changed my name
But no one wants you when you lose

Dont give up
cos you have friends
Dont give up
Youre not beaten yet
Dont give up
I know you can make it good

Though I saw it all around
Never thought I could be affected
Thought that wed be the last to go
It is so strange the way things turn

Drove the night toward my home
The place that I was born, on the lakeside
As daylight broke, I saw the earth
The trees had burned down to the ground

Dont give up
You still have us
Dont give up
We dont need much of anything
Dont give up
cause somewhere theres a place
Where we belong

Rest your head
You worry too much
Its going to be alright
When times get rough
You can fall back on us
Dont give up
Please dont give up

got to walk out of here
I cant take anymore
Going to stand on that bridge
Keep my eyes down below
Whatever may come
And whatever may go
That rivers flowing
That rivers flowing

Moved on to another town
Tried hard to settle down
For every job, so many men
So many men no-one needs

Dont give up
cause you have friends
Dont give up
Youre not the only one
Dont give up
No reason to be ashamed
Dont give up
You still have us
Dont give up now
Were proud of who you are
Dont give up
You know its never been easy
Dont give up
cause I believe theres the a place
Theres a place where we belong

Thanks for this vid go to
Youtube
and

ibs11



Junie

An Award

I was recently given this award by one of my earliest blog friends ~Joy, at "The Joy of Six."

From the start, Joy and I seemed to connect on many levels~
especially in our mutual love of our families and poetry.

I appreciate this, dear Joy, and the fact that you've hung in there with me all this time, reading my rambling - often - irrelevant nonsense-posts! :)

Thank you, Joy, for this award and for your friendship.


The simple rules that come with this award are:


1. When you receive this award, you must thank the person that awarded you in a new post.

2. Name 10 things that make you happy.

3. Pass this award on to 10 other bloggers who make you happy.

Ten things that make me happy:

1. ~My first cup of coffee in the morning~especially if my husband has it made when I get up! :)

2. ~Family gatherings - best when no one is missing~

3.~Roses ~

4.~ watching the birds~

5. ~a special dinner out ~ I love 'Red Lobster'~

6. ~Reminiscing of my mom and my childhood-and also of my kids and 'grands' when they were little. Christmas memories are among my favorites~

7.~ Music ~especially discovering music new to me and sharing with a special friend~

8.~ Blogging! :) Yes!

9.~My Springtime wildflowers in our meadow~

10. ~ Writing poems that come together just the way you want them to! :)
(Sometimes that happens)

I enjoy reading many blogs, a lot of which are not yet on my side bar favorites list. All who visit me here are among my favorites but I will list only a few...

1.~Carletta
~Carletta has a beautiful blog going over at 'Around the Bend.'
She does fantastic photography-a lot of nature shots. Also has two little granddaughters who we have been able to get to know a little, through her stories and pictures.

2.~Pea
~Pea of 'Pea's Corner' is a dear blog friend (doesn't everyone know and love Pea?) She's an interesting and fun loving lady and shows us a lot of fantastic scenery of her life and travels in Canada. Oh! And she's also a loving grandmother to a sweet baby girl!

3.~
Sally at 'Whispering Hope' is a blog lady friend who I enjoy reading and I seldom miss a day of checking her out! She is a lady I admire and like a lot! She's a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother to a little four year old girl; a very family-involved kind of lady! I like that!

4.~
~Donna at 'Made in Heaven' is one of my newer blog friends. (even so, it's been a couple years, maybe) She posts a lot of pictures and leads an interesting life way out in Texas. Her family-husband,daughter and 'grands'- are often featured in her blog! OH! And Donna and I are on the same page politically! I like that!

5.~
Sandy, 'Abandoned in Pasadena' is a blog friend I like to read often. She's actually in KY! She often writes about her cats and about family events~ Oh, and she writes about riding motorcycles with her husband and other family members! COOL!

6.~
Mary of 'Mommas Corner' is one amazing lady! She's into all kinds of crafts, canning of veggies and fruits, gardening...you name it , she does it!
I admire Mary's sense of humor and especially envy her vitality and energy!
Oh! And she appreciates my music! :)

7.~
Rachel, of 'Sliding Through Life,' is a long time favorite blog friend. I always enjoy Rachel's interesting posts of her daily adventures - she embraces life and shares a lot with her readers and friends.
Rachel=NICE!

8.~
Peter, of 'Holtie's House' is a blog I will always enjoy reading. Peter is a very caring guy, involved deeply in family affairs and seems to have a zillion friends! He has a lot to show and tell about his homeland, Australia, which I have truly enjoyed over the 4+ years I have been a blogger. BTW- In the beginning, Peter helped me in figuring out this confusing world of blogging! He sent me detailed emails with instructions on how to do certain things-post pictures-etc! I'll be forever grateful, Peter! :)

9.~
Cliff~'Cliff Morrow's Blog' is among my favorite reads. It's always rewarding to visit Cliff and he never fails to leave me smiling! I often need that!

10.~
AC- of 'Raindrops' is way up in Canada, but I visit him on a quite regular basis. He's witty and a lot of fun to read. He shows his readers a lot of scenes of his country and shares family times with his two 'grands' and his wife and daughters. Oh, and he is musical and if we're lucky, sometimes shares his fiddle playing with us!

~~~
NOTE:
My blogger choices can be found on my side bar, just click the names.
(I got lazy)
Anyway, I hope you will check them all out because they are all awesome, if in different ways!

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OK~ I know some folks are not too keen on doing these award things so don't feel obligated to follow through on this unless you want to do it.

The main thing about blogging -IMO- is that you have fun- so if something begins to feel like a 'job' it might reduce the fun part of it!

(LOL-Just enjoy the good things I said about you anyway)


Love,
Junie

Something

I wrote this on my Facebook wall today:

June Kellum

"In honor of 'Fest for Beatles Fans' ~ happening this weekend in NJ~ and for all my Beatles Fanatics friends on FB_I want to post this song!

...besides_ it was determined this is the song I would be if I were a Beatles song!

lol- OK-I can handle that!"

(and for my Beatles Fanatics friends who visit the blog, too!)

What would you be if you were a Were A Beatles Song

June just found out what they would be if they Were A Beatles Song.

They would be :

1:Something

Lovely song!

Thanks, George Harrison and the Beatles!

Thanks to Youtube
and

marmaladeskies9

Love,
Junie

Camera Critters- for Mar 20, 2010 ~and a poem~

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*Go here* to find other CC posts!

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OK-I'm late but maybe not too late to add my CC post!

It's one of my very early posts about some geese we had in the past!

It involves

a story

a poem

and a picture!

~ some of my geese ~

I was (finally) persuaded to sell our 13 geese... which, truth be told, served no purpose except to annoy and terrorize anyone who came near them!

To feed the unpredictable (Ungrateful-foul) fowl, I had to walk with a big stick to keep them away from me!

One memorable day I was holding them back as I tried to turn on the water to freshen their kiddie pool I had set up for them. I was walking backward, keeping them back with the small branch I had picked up.
Suddenly, the flimsy tree limb broke and I fell backward, and 'Granddaddy' and another of his flock were on me, in a flash! I had to grab them by the neck and fling them off, but not before getting bruised by their sharp row of Teeth, along my arms-and even through my jeans! TEETH?? (If not teeth-they certainly passed for such!) I had bruises for days, after this event!

Lol- too bad no one was handy with a video camera! I might have become a STAR of ‘Funniest Home Videos or whatever that show was…Silliest old Goose Lady, more like it!

For a moment I felt like 'My goose was cooked!' :) But I 'Took the Bull By the Horns', so to speak; grabbing them around their long and scrawny necks and flinging them with all my might!

To add 'insult to injury' I had a minor hospital procedure scheduled soon after this day of my Geese Attack!
As I lay drugged, defenseless and naked on the table, I was being questioned about the bruises! The last thing I recall, before I was completely out, was explaining that my GEESE had attacked me! They probably doubted my story... :)

... This event didn't prompt the sale of my geese ... I still felt
responsible for them and they were happy in their domain which I
had created for them!
Hadn’t I rescued some of these very birds as helpless babies- dug them out of the mud after those torrential rains…, as they lay helpless on their backs-unable to turn over?

True- so I loved them- as mean as they were!

I just got a bigger stick! :)

... But after another couple years I was offered a good price for the
whole flock, and with my husband's urging, finally made the decision to let them go!

...Another weird twist to this geese story... the original buyers paid the whole amount in cash...took 2 geese and were to come back for the rest of them! ($100) Two months passed and they never returned...I had no way to reach them - not even their name!!

Meanwhile-I had another lady wanting to buy the remainder of my geese...Finally, we decided the original buyers were not going to return and my husband convinced me to let the lady have the remaining geese! So I DID -but not happily! :(

I got a combined price of over $200.00 for those geese!
LOL! But I had earned it - over the years I had them!


NOTE:

The original buyers never DID come back!

WEIRD!

The poem below resulted after these events took place.

The Absence of Geese


The absence of geese
improves the landscape
not at all, as far as I can see!
Sold- to rid us of the aggravation -
the care and feeding - to set us free!
Well, it didn’t happen!
(Or is it only me?)
The pasture now seems sad, forlorn, so empty,
with the profound absence of familiar
barnyard sounds!
Yet, with, traces still of, feathers floating ‘round!
They’re picked up, randomly,
by gusts of winter wind!
They flutter, briefly, silently,
then once again they settle on the ground.

June Kellum




Junie

Shadow Shot Sunday-at 'Our Place'

My 'Shadow Shot Sunday' post is HERE.

First day of Spring in Ocala!

This first day of spring has been perfect here in Ocala.
Yesterday was a grand day too.

In my post yesterday I showed you a bouquet of Azaleas,
reflected in a mirror!

These pictures (today's post) were also taken yesterday when Charles and I were cutting the flowers to bring in the house and arrange for display.

As I mentioned, this light pink Azalea usually blooms a few days ahead of the darker flowers of our other bushes!

The abundant, early spring blooming of the Azaleas in this area is one of the things that first attracted me to this place where we eventually built our home!

It will be our last home, I feel sure. I hope so for I can't imagine ever living any place other than here!

Springtime is beautiful!

Azaleas

Red Bud blossoms

Enjoy your spring!


Junie

Weekend Reflections~ March19, 2010

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Go here to find other *Weekend Reflections* posts!

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One of our first flowers of spring is the Azalea and this light pink variety blooms a little earlier than some others that we have.

I have a perfect spot in our front entrance for displaying this big bouquet ... because I get it doubled! :)




Twice as nice!

Enjoy!



Junie Rose

Sky Watch Friday~ Late Winter-Early Spring skies in north Fl

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Go here to find other *Sky Watch Friday* pictures!



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These are shots of our north Florida skies over a 2 week period.

( click on pics to enlarge )



~Feb 25th, 2010~

~ March 14th, 2010 ~

Below is the same tree as the pictures above.

Notice how it has leafed out in just over 2 weeks!

Yes!
Spring is 'getting on with it' for us here in north Florida!

Junie

Happy St. Patrick's Day

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Update:

Once again our Corned Beef dinner turned out very good!

Joy-our daughter-in-law- was the only one to eat with us! Chris had to work...


Tina also worked but she and Dan were here later for some corned beef and cabbage!

***

I'll be making my corned beef and cabbage a little later! I bet many of you, my friends, will be doing the same!

This was our St. Patrick's meal a couple years ago.

***

Enjoy your day

(...green haired lady! :) )



Junie Rose

Happy Birthday Daniel!

Today is my grandson's birthday!

Dan was our first grand child...he will always hold a special place in my heart!

Happy Birthday, Dan!


This photo goes back a long way. Dan was probably about age 3 here!

Curious George was a big part of our days at that time! Dan would make up adventure stories of Curious George and some other toy characters and himself!

:) He kept me entertained in those wonderful days;
times I will treasure, always.

Love,
Ginga

Ruby Tuesday~ 3-16-'10 ~ Tourists in St. Augustine

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*Visit Mary* for other Ruby Tuesday posts!

Last year for our anniversary on April 27th, Charles and I visited St.Augustine.

We went to the 'Believe It Or Not' museum where we met a couple of 'tourist' - a very nice man and lady!


Here I am posing with the lady for a picture!




OK-which old lady is the real tourist and which old lady lives in that museum all the time!

:)

Kinda hard to tell the difference between real and fake, isn't it?

Oh! But you all know me ...I'm that little short one in the green blouse!

My friend is in the red blouse...so she gets to star in my Ruby Tuesday post today!

She might even become famous, starring on 'Junie's Place, the Blog!'

You never know!



Junie Rose