Walking On Sunshine

They may as well have called the sun a ball of flaming joy. 
~Terri Guillemets

My First Mink

I'm not a doctor and I don't know the technical terminology, but I do know that sunshine activates our happiness glands.

~Jessi Lane Adams

I know that sunshine activates my happiness glands! One sunny day was  spent walking around one of my favorite places, Bisset Park in Radford, VA. That's where I saw my first MINK! At first I thought it was a river otter but when I researched it further I realized it was a Mink

~ What a wonderful day ~

Munching on the Greens!

It is more fun to talk with someone 
who doesn't use long, difficult words 
but rather short, easy words like 
"What about lunch?" 

~Winnie the Pooh

Looks like this squirrel was enjoying his lunch!

Print Available - HERE 

A Visit from a Red-bellied Woodpecker

Write it on your heart that every day 
is the best day in the year.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

This Male Red-bellied Woodpecker is a frequent visitor.  
What a wonderful treat to look out the window and see this handsome fella!

More Woodpeckers - HERE 

Carolina Wren - On the Ice

One kind word can warm three winter months. 
~ Japanese Proverb

To hear the song of the Carolina Wren - click HERE.

Print Available - HERE 

Berry Delight

The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention. 
~Julia Cameron

A Smiling Face

I've never seen a smiling face that was not beautiful.

~Author Unknown

Prints, Cards, and Mugs - Available - HERE

The Purpose Of Life

The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.  

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

The Abundance of Life

Stop every now and then. Just stop and enjoy. Take a deep breath. Relax and take in the abundance of life. 
~Unknown

The Investigation of Nature

The investigation of nature is an infinite pasture-ground where all may graze, and where the more bite, the longer the grass grows, the sweeter is its flavor, and the more it nourishes. 
~ Aldous Huxley

Bird and Blossoms

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. 

~Anne Bradstreet

How Far .....

Only those who will risk going too far 
can possibly find out how far one can go.
~T.S. Eliot

Summer Memories

Hummingbird Moths are such unique creatures!

We do not remember days; we remember moments. 
~ Cesare Pavese

Hanging On

Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.
~ William Feather

It amazes me how these little red squirrels can hold on by their "toes"!

Print Available - HERE 

Exquisite Moments

Each moment ends the instant it begins. If you do not see this, you will not see what is exquisite in it, and you will call that moment ordinary.
~ Unknown

Cedar Waxwing

Don't waste today regretting yesterday instead of making a memory for tomorrow.
- Laura Palmer

Mr. Red Striking a Pose

Doesn't he look like he's giving me that "over the shoulder" look?

And my quote for today has absolutely nothing to do with the image but I thought it was quite powerful:

We all have ability. The difference is how we use it. 
 ~ Stevie Wonder

Feathers of the Sun

May flowers always line your path 
and sunshine light your day.
May songbirds serenade you 
every step along the way.
May a rainbow run beside you 
in a sky that's always blue.
And may happiness fill your heart 
each day your whole life through.

~Irish Blessing~

A Yellow-rumped warbler seen during visit to Ocean City, MD  

The yellow feathers remind me of a little spot of Sunshine :)

Step Off the Path

Each Time you step off your path and give someone an act of kindness...then your road to Happiness 
just got a little smoother.

~Donna A. Favors

Wings in Motion

Growth, in some curious way, I suspect, depends on being always in motion just a little bit, one way or another. 
 ~ Norman Mailer

More Cardinals - HERE 

It's a Bird, It's a Plane .......

.... It's Super Chickadee! 
Actually all of the birds are Super to me :)  

We should all do what, in the long run, gives us joy, even if it is only picking grapes or sorting the laundry.

~ E. B. White

I hope you are able to do today what gives you joy!

Look Afresh

To think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted. 
~ George Kneller

My hope for all of us today is that we will ~ look afresh ~ that we will slow down from the busy-ness of life ~ and see the amazing delights in front of us.

The Best Things in Life Are ...

"The best things in life are nearest: 
Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, 
flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, 
the path of right just before you. 
Then do not grasp at the stars, 
but do life's plain, common work as it comes, 
certain that daily duties and 
daily bread are the sweetest things in life."

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

Prints and More Available - HERE 

Sweet Expressions

Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.

~Janet Lane

More Squirrels - HERE 
 

Just Wingin' it

You've got a lot of choices. If getting out of bed in the morning is a chore and you're not smiling on a regular basis, try another choice.
~Steven D. Woodhull

I Confess.....

..... before the macro lens I never realized how colorful these guys can be. And I have learned that not all of them are colorful. But this one sure was. Every day I am amazed at what beauty surrounds us - if we only take the time to look.

I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in. 

~ George Washington Carver

Wings and Berries

 Did you ever see an unhappy horse? 
Did you ever see a bird that had the blues? 
One reason why birds and horses are not unhappy is because they are not trying to impress 
other birds and horses. 

 ~ Dale Carnegie

This little chickadee followed me along a trail I walked. I think he was looking for a handout.  I have had them feed from my hand but didn't have anything on that day.

 Print Available - HERE 

Time for a Bite

Not a perfect shot but I liked that I captured the mockingbird grabbing a bite to eat :)

A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault. 

~ John Henry Newman

Quiet Reflection

Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action. 
~ Peter F Drucker

Print Available - HERE 

Morning at Blackwater

On our way back from visiting family in Ocean City, Maryland, we stopped by Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. We didn't have much time to spend but I LOVED the area.

May your joys be as bright as the morning,
your years of happiness
as numerous as the stars in the heavens,
and your troubles but shadows
that fade in the sunlight of love.
~ Irish Blessing~


 

Ready for Take-Off

Another fresh new year is here . . .
Another year to live!
To banish worry, doubt, and fear,
To love and laugh and give!

This bright new year is given me
To live each day with zest . . .
To daily grow and try to be
My highest and my best!

I have the opportunity
Once more to right some wrongs,
To pray for peace, to plant a tree,
And sing more joyful songs!

~William Arthur Ward~