Country Girl's Challange

This is the cutest idea. The fourth file, fourth picture brought a smile to my face. Fred and I had the great fortune of going on a 14 day Baltic cruise this summer. This photo was taken as we were leaving the port of Amsterdam. We were on our balcony waving good-by to Holland, when we heard the theme music from the Love Boat. Next came this beautiful wooden boat with these beautiful young people on it. It was a Friday evening, they had food and were drinking Don Peron champagne. The gorgeous young man standing up was singing to everyone on the boat. Oh for a short time, I wanted to be that young again. This was such a good looking, happy group of young people.

Click on the photo above to enjoy some of the sights of the Amsterdam harbor. Holland was such a cool little country. Fred and I would love to go back and spend more time. You will notice how clean and organized everything is. Yes, they do still have some of the old fashion wind mills.

KER--PLUNK,

There is an evil spirit lurking in the backyard of the Mortensen's in Fayetteville,Georgia. As most of you know, I am the proud owner of a chocolate and white cocker spaniel. Her nick name is "Miss McNasty". She is a magnet for any thing smelley, wet,rotten or dirty. I have pick her up from the groomers only to come home and have her:
1. roll in red mud (during backyard revonattion)
2. slide in a big pile of fresh Katie poop (chasing ball)
3. run across the street and play in the neighbors sprinkler.
Keep in mind that all of this has happened after coming home from the groomers all clean, dryed, brushed, fluffy, smelling good and I have spent 45.00 to get her this way. Hence the name "Miss McNasty.
Now we have a mobile groomer. This is a great thing but it cost more money. The little princess pictured above is Marlee's Molly. This little sweet heart hates to be outside. She has always lived in an apartment and only goes out to use the bathroom. Last Wednesday, after the groomer left our house, she decided to come outside and join the fun. I was standing by the pool throwing the ball for Dixie and Katie. I heard the "KER-PLUNK" sound of something heavy falling in the pool. You guessed it, Molly fell in! How? I do not know. This nice, clean, fluffy dog was soaking wet. There goes $50.00. All of Molly's fluffy hair was now wet and would be curlie when she dried. Oh well, she was still happy but happier in the house.

Puppies of the Heart

My puppies of my heart have not appeared on my blog in a long time. They like the attention. This photo of Dixie is my new wallpaper on my lap top. How can you not look at her and smile. She is one happy little girl. The merry little cocker spaniel. That is what is always used to describe a cocker spaniel.

Beautiful and sweet Katie. Katie will be nine years old this January. Where has the time gone? Dusty was 13 when Katie came to live with us. She is such a sweet heart. Loyal and faithful is the trademark of a Lab. That is our Katie.

Little Molly is a true War Eagle, college dog. She is happy with everyone and everything. She just goes with the flow. She is a good little cocker who loves life. Molly will never turn down a car ride or a dog cookie. Come to think of it, she will not turn down any food at all.

What can I say about Bella. A lot, let me tell you. She is a pit bull on a short leash. It has been said of Bella "She makes everyone feel special". That is so true of her. Look at the confident little face, regal, queen and in charge. Bella is the boss of our house hold and the love of our lives. All six pounds of her. Well, maybe more like eight pounds.

Today in my rut, I am going to think of these four little happy faces. Even though two of those little happy faces are traders. They are at the Chateau Bow-Wow. They love to go home with Nana and Papaw. They say the food is better there. Traders!!!!

Which Way Do I Go ?

“If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.

Lewis Carroll

This little quote is so my life today. Like a chicken with my head cut off. I seem to be running in circles. At the end of a day, I pause and say "What have I done today?" absolutely nothing! What is wrong with me?

I have such a wonderful life. Yes, there are bumps in the road. But all in all life is good. Fred and I have spent the past year traveling. We have visited 7 countries and 8 different states. Two of those states twice. So what is my deal.

I am in a rut. How do I get out? What do I do? Please help. Have you ever been at the bottom of your rut? Oh yeah, the holidays are coming and I am not in the mood. My brother and sisters, with families will be here for Christmas. I have to force myself to get ready. Not in the mood!

Help! Help! Help! Even my blog family has abandoned me. Help! Help!

Sneakie Little Bee

While practing with my lens this morning, I came across this sweet little guy enjoying the sun shine and a wonderful breakfast. All was well with my little bee and the world.

In sneaks lazy bee. He is to lazy to find his own flower and dot of sun shine. There has to be at least 200 blooms on my encore azaleas.

My sweet little bee and the lazy bee exchange some words. Of course they were talking in bee talk. Does anyone speak this language? Let me know if you do.

Sorry to say that lazy bee won. Sweet little bee had had enough.

It was a lot of fun to watch these two little bee through the lens of my camera.

New Lens

You have read about my recent trip to CT for a three day Photography seminar. One of the workshops I was able to attend was a Macro class. I have been looking at them for some time. The class was sponsored by Canon. My camera company, lucky for me. I was able to test shoot the 60mm, the 100mm and the 180mm. I love all three. My budget would only allow for one and I chose the Canon 100mm Macro.

Off to the back yard today to try out my new lens. It is going to take some practice but I am really looking forward to the learning curve. I have shot close up before but notice the veins in the rose. I love how the sun shines through the petals. It looks like you could reach out and touch this flower. Enjoy.

Kent Falls, located in the northeastern section of the town of Kent, is a series of waterfalls on a mountain stream known as Falls Brook. The stream begins in the town of Warren, draining an area of six or seven square miles. It then flows west to the big fall where it plunges approximately 70 feet in a dramatic cascade. From here the stream descends in a series of lesser falls and cascades to the valley, where it enters the Housatonic River some 200 feet below the brink of the big fall only a quarter mile away. Much of the limestone over which the brook flows has been carved into interesting shapes including numerous potholes of all sizes.
The Indian name of this area is "Scatacook" and there is considerable evidence that Native Americans fished and camped by the falls. Later, in colonial times, mills were also present along the brook.
Acquisition of the park began in 1919 with the gift of 200 acres by the White Memorial Foundation. Other parcels were donated or purchased until the present 295 acres were acquired. The area was developed in the 1930's by the Civil Works Administration. In the mid nineteen-seventies, considerable trail reconstruction was done by the Youth Conservation Corps of Connecticut. The covered bridge is an authentic reproduction built in 1974 by a park employee, Edmund Palmer.
The flow in the cascade at Kent is normally heaviest in the spring when the winter snow is melting. However, the falls can be dramatic at any time of the year, particularly after substantial rainstorms. Fall foliage season is also an excellent time to enjoy the area. Because of its exceptional scenic qualities, Kent Falls has been featured in a number of magazine and television advertisements.

Finally, we arrived at Kent Falls State Park. What a fabulous day is was. The weather was perfect. The falls were truly heaven sent. Please click on the photo above to make the climb with me to the top of Kent Falls State Park. I was so glad to arrive at the next landing along the way. The steps up were higher than my legs are long. As you can see from my pictures it was really worth it. Hope you enjoy the trip as much as I did. Happy climbing.

Bridge Statistics

Town: Kent

Bridge Traffic: Vehicular
Locality: Gaylordsville

Truss Type: Town Lattice & Queen Post Truss
Berkshires Bridge Carries: Bulls Bridge Road
County: Litchfield

Bridge Crosses: Housatonic River
Year Built: 1842
Builder: Unknown
Structure Characteristics:
Length: 109'-0"Span: 107 ft. -->Width: Unknown
World Guide No.: 07-03-01 T

Another little stop along the way to Kent Falls State Park, Bulls Bridge. Bulls Bridge is a beautiful little covered bridge with one way traffic. It seem to be a favorite photo stop for the people of New England. As I took my life in my own hands, I climbed down to the streams edge to take some fun shots. I discovered a warm spot in the sun on water worn smooth rocks. What a great place to curl up and read a book. I almost stepped on the little turtle as I was leaving the stream. He seemed to love to have his picture taken. Being the Mother of two boys, Jamie fell in love with him. This little guys heart with pitter patter after a kiss from her. Also note that she was 7 months pregnant at the time. Who wouldn't fall in love with someone so beautiful. Please click on the photo above to enjoy Bulls Bridge with us.

Treasure's Along the Way

Several weeks ago, the three Diva's and I attended a photography seminar in Stamford, CT. We went a day early to enjoy the beauty of New England in the fall. We were not disappointed. Our destination for the day was Kent State Park. Along the way we were awarded with so many little surprises. One was Rock Neck Beach. I wished for a few minutes my family could have been with me to have a Christmas photo taken on the drift wood long. It was a perfect spot. It was a great little spot to stretch our legs. We also stopped at a nice little stream that proved to be a good photo stop. Enjoy our stop in Ct.