Sunday, September 28, 2008

Monday Musings


Thank you so much for the wonderful birthday greetings. It was a good celebration. Feisty was so cute. She kept asking me, "When's your birthday, Grandma?" I kept telling her it was going on as we spoke, but I finally realized she was talking about my party. It's just not a birthday without a party - or a cake. She asked me, with her big brown eyes looking so concerned, "Is Mommy getting your cake, or are you getting it yourself?"

It turned out that Kristen brought lunch over for us, and then decided to fix us dinner as well. Then DC took me out to On the B*rder Friday evening. They have a healthy section on the menu - but it's those chips and salsa before the meal that are diet killers! We didn't have cake - fine by me.

DC wanted to buy me something after dinner. I am truly a terrible shopper. We didn't find anything that worked for me - or for him! I am a firm believer that they make mirrors in dressing rooms especially to make one look the worst possible. I can't understand why, but it seems that it would do for anyone what it does for me - makes me run screaming from the store! Give me a catalog any day.

I received the most lovely card from
Denise at Sentiments by Denise. She does the best work! There is so much detail that doesn't show up well on this photo. She should go into business!





Today we had a lovely gourmet dinner at Wendy's with a bunch of friends from church. Wendy was even there taking orders! Kristen has so much homework (you know the professor who thinks his in the only course that counts?!) so after lunch, Grandpa took the big girls to a new park and I took the babes for the afternoon. We took a little ride and a nice walk.



I drive by this property frequently, just a few blocks north of our neighborhood, but only recently discovered the horses that live there. I knew it was a feeling of country in the midst of the growth of our town - somebody had refused to sell their last bit of property for the almighty dollar and more houses.



This guy (or gal?) came over to greet me.



It's not a large area, but it's their own.





Directly across the street to the north is this fancy housing area.


The corner to the northwest - open area ripe for more houses.


To the southwest - lots of houses and room for more!


We headed back south and parked the car by the lake. Remember the dry lake bed a few weeks ago?


I'm not sure where the water came from, but the lake is back again in all its beauty.



People were having so much fun on this late September afternoon - perfect weather - who knows how soon the snow will fly?? They were fishing --




Water-skiing and relaxing on a pontoon boat --



Jet-skiing --


Feeding the geese -- who are really fun to watch and feed, but who then wreak havoc on our sidewalks! They have begun flying overhead and honking - definitely a sign of fall.


The American Coots were bobbing around on the water --



There is a nice large family of pelicans who call this lake home, but today this lone pelican was resting on the lake - joined by a little Coot. Earlier in the day we saw one in very graceful, beautiful flight, make a perfect five-point landing - unfortunately we were in the car, so couldn't get a shot.


I'm pretty proud of this shot~~


Then I happened upon this lovely sculpture --



And this one - I love this one. I felt like I was interrupting story time and had to be quiet.



I especially love the title and memorial plaque on this one --



This is in front of the fire station by the lake -- it is entitled "Under Control"


I wish I knew the story behind the bouquet of roses someone left --


Speaking of fire stations - did any of you happen to see the movie "Fireproof" this week-end? Oh, my goodness - I don't go to movies and I rarely rent them, but this is one you don't want to miss. I only saw it advertised within the last week and had to drive 30 miles to find it, but it was worth every mile and every penny. The message of the gospel comes through loud and clear, and beautifully.




25 comments:

Mike Golch said...

Dawn, Great photos,Thank you for sharing them.

Nadine said...

Love the photos. Amazing how the "dry" became a lake.

I will have to check out the movie once we get settled. Thanks for the tip.

Linds said...

It is great to see your world through your eyes, Dawn! And I am so glad you had a happy birthday!

Diane@Diane's Place said...

I always enjoy the photos you share, Dawn.

We don't see pelicans here, but I've seen them in Florida on the beach. It was only the drab brown pelicans, not the pretty white ones like in your photo.

Just recently in the last few years we've started seeing coots, and we have lots of Canada geese, mallard ducks and snow geese, and assorted other water birds.

I haven't seen "Fireproof" but I've heard some good stuff about it...

Happy new week!

Love and hugs,

Diane

Hootin Anni said...

I LOVE "Grandpa the Storyteller"!!!!!
Beautiful park/lake photos Dawn...you know what I miss about your area and north of town? The Canadian Geese. I remember playing golf in the park up in Fort Collins I believe...the one with the park and lake close by...anyway, we had to play around all the Canadian Geese...and how they talked to us through the whole 9 holes. LOL

Lovely birthday you had, it sounds like....and cute, cute, cute about the 'birthday' without the cake for your grandchild...the wonderful innocence of youth.

Unknown said...

Happy Belated Birthday! I'm glad you had a nice celebration with your family, just the way you wanted it. :-)

Linda said...

It sounds like a lovely birthday weekend Dawn! The pictures are beautiful. I love it when someone holds out and preserves their little part of the world from encroaching builders.
Have a blessed week!

Susie said...

Sounds like you had such a nice birthday celebration!
Loved seeing the photos of your trip to the lake. The sculptures are just wonderful, especially Grandpa the Storyteller.
The flowers left by the firefighter one must be some sort of memorial.
Very touching.
xo

nancygrayce said...

The lake across the street from my sister's house was bone dry and now it's full again, of course, they had 20 something inches of rain. Your pictures are so pretty. I love the sculptures!

Theresa said...

I love that you take such interesting pictures. Thanks for sharing. Glad you had such a wonderful birthday.

Tammy said...

So glad you had a nice birthday!

It was fun to walk through this park with you. The pelican sculpture photo is beautiful with the scenery behind it!

So glad you got to see Fireproof, Dawn! (And for commenting on my post about it!)
I think we're going to invest in the Bible study or at least the Love Dare book. What great tools for so many couples associated with this film!

Hope you have a wonderful week, dear Dawn!
Hugs,
~Tammy

kpjara said...

Happy Belated Birthday! I hope it was super-special.

I did see Fireproof this weekend and it was such a moving film!

Izzy, Emmy 'N Alexander said...

What a lovely walk you had! Happy Birthday and I am glad you had such a great day! I too hate shopping for myself, nothing ever works!

I have given you an award. Check my blog for details.

Carole Burant said...

So glad to hear that you had such a lovely day on your birthday! Like you, I swear they make those dressing room mirrors make everything look worse! lol

Such a beautiful card you received from Denise. Being handmade by her makes it that much more special!

Enjoyed looking at all the pictures taken from your little drive. The horses are so gorgeous! I so loved the sculptures in the park...my favourite is the Grandpa, The Storyteller one.

I hadn't heard of that movie until tonight when I was visiting Tammy's Blog but it certainly sounds like a wonderful movie!!

Take care of YOU! xoxo

groovyoldlady said...

Ooops. Missed your birthday. SORRY!!

Happy belated birthday!

Thanks for taking us on a quick neighborhood tour. We live in a rural area. There are horses just down the road from us too, but the fence is electric, so we can't get too close.

Seeing horses hemmed in by a chain link fencing seemed a bit odd to me. Both here and in Missouri the paddock fences were/are either wood or electric - no metal or barbed wire (Though barbed wire is apparently fine for cattle.)

Nancy said...

Sorry I missed your birthday. I will have to make up for it if you get to come to NC. I hope it was a great one and that you felt special... because you ARE!

I was glad to see that Kristen is back to her "funny" self but sorry she has to work so hard with this school stuff.

You appreciate God's creation as much as I do. I love your photos, showing His masterpieces. Thanks for sharing... you live in a beautiful section of the US.

Mary said...

Dawn,

I'm glad your birthday was a smashing success and that you enjoyed it. Feisty doesn't understand that adults don't get as excited about birthdays as kids do. LOL

I LOVE all of the photos of the park and the horses. The Storyteller is awesome and so is your photo of the pelican. Write me and let me know where this spot is. I would love to visit one day.

I read on another blog that Fireproof is a fantastic movie. We seldom go the the movies and right now our city doesn't have a movie theater. They tore it down to build one that is supposed to be bigger and better, with 12 cinemas. I expect it will be more expensive as well.

Take care and thanks so much for sharing.

Blessings,
Mary

Kristen said...

Those are really great pictures mom. Who knew that the invention of the digital camera would turn you into a photographer?

I really would like to go see that movie.

Sherry said...

your pictures made me a bit homesick...not that i don't like it here...it's just not there:)

happy belated birthday!!!

Christa said...

Sounds like it was a nice BD for you. Nice pictures. I live on the edge of town and hope some of the farms don't go to houses, as I see so much building as I go to work everyday. The park looks like a really nice place to go.
Have a great day.

Needled Mom said...

Denise's card is just lovely. She did an awesome job on it.

Wow! That lake got water so quickly. Have you guys had that much rain already?

I loved seeing the horses in the field. They look like they are enjoying running around.

LOVE the storyteller memorial. You can almost hear the story being told.

Kristen is so blessed to have you two there to help out while she has all the school work going on. I know that she appreciates all that you have done for her. What would we do without parents?

Have a good week.

Barb said...

A belated happy birthday to you, Dawn. I'm sorry I missed the actual day.

I tell you, that place where the horse lives looks very big to me! I live in suburbia and although we have a nice little yard, I surely wouldn't put a horse in it! LOL

You photos are, as always, so nice. I've spent so much time in the city you live in, mostly in our favorite RV Village, close to I-25, that these photos make me a little misty eyed.

Happy, happy birthday. And I agree with Feisty. It's not a birthday without cake!

Sue Seibert said...

I loved having a tour of your area! And the statues are wonderful...especially the one of the grandpa, but those roses would truly make a wonderful short story, wouldn't they! Glad your birthday was good...I hate shopping in stores, too. Give me a catalogue any day!

Sharon Lynne said...

What a beautiful day to take a walk.
Fall is lovely...I'm glad you're enjoying it before the cold comes.

I saw Fireproof on Saturday. My husband was out of town, and I went to a movie alone. It was nice!

I'm glad you had a nice birthday! That is so cute about Feisty. The children are right...we should celebrate birthdays with gusto at all ages!

Midlife Mom said...

What a lovely post Dawn! Always so good to check in and see what's going on. Nice to see the beautiful pictures of the quarter horse! Looks like a 'he' or else a pretty big 'she'!

You live in such a beautiful area. So glad the lake has filled up again. I know what you mean about the ducks being hard on the sidewalks, one summer we were in the flight path of a flock of ducks and they made a mess of our driveway every day! lol! I'm glad they are now taking a new route!

I must see that movie. I rarely go to the movies unless it's with the grand kids as I don't usually like the content. I tried watching a movie last night and the language was so bad that I turned it off. Don't need to listen to that.

Must hop on over to Kristen's place and say howdy.

That picture you took of the pelican is soooooooo good. He is centered so well between the bushes. I'd frame that one!

Take care my friend! xoxox