Lessons From The Honey Bees

I have noticed a lot of bee hives around this year. They are probably always around...it's just that this year I'm noticing them more often I guess.

Also I am noticing more honey bee's around our yard.

Why just the other day Poppy, Tiny Dancer and I, noticed two very different little honey bee's.

The first was just sort of a dusty brown, quite motionless, sitting on the driveway. It seemed to just be waiting for the weather to clear bringing a ray of warm sunshine, or, the little honey bee angels to come escort him home...the later is sadly what happened. A very lovely honey bee funeral was hastily planned and carried out before tiny tears threatened to wash him away.

In contrast to this bee the next bee spotted by Tiny Dancer's exceptional eye was sitting on the bottom rung of a lawn chair, it's colors vibrant, and yet we noticed that this bee too was moving rather slowly.  Upon closer inspection it was noted that this bee was carrying precious cargo.

He rested a while then he began to prepare to resume his trip home.

You could almost hear him take a few deep breath's as he moved into position, a tiny prayer and off he zig-zagged on his little way.

I thought it interesting that both bee's were ok with where they were when they were there.

I noticed also that although the second bee was heavily weighted down with *the stuff of life* he was still able to fly.

True. It wasn't the most beautiful flight.

True. He did need to stop often to gather strength.

True. His load was heavy and the distance to the end was not in sight...

But also true. He didn't give up or give in to the wonderfully heavy pollen slowing his progress.

I hope that I am like the little honey bee's, calm in the face of adversity and still able to fly with my heavy loads of the stuff of life...

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

This Old House?

I have been going along during abode hunting trips to take pictures to look at in a less hurried state.

I love looking at other peoples homes!

I could go to those home shows and open houses, every single day, most all day long and be just giddy!

I get ideas from seeing some of the things other people do and have done...

I learn decorating tips for both inside and out.

Why the first grey wall I ever saw was in the office of a very old house, and the deep red of the kitchen  I saw while taking the tours of a local home show had me hooked, and I was instantly in love with less conventional colors for walls...a few of the houses had re-furbished log cabins out back and ever since then I have wanted to have one in my back yard. It doesn't even have to be log, it can be a converted shed...I guess you could call it the wish for a grown up version of a little girl's play house.

Pardon me, I digress...

You might be looking for an apartment, house, condo, town house, what-have-you...

You may find some houses have wide open views, but might have to many stairs for what you want...

Some houses  only need a few things...

maybe a curtain and a few nice flower beds...

Some houses are homes and some homes are houses...

Some have a personality while others are just caricatures.

I believe that it doesn't really matter where you live,

so much as it does how you live...

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance. 

Perspective

 they say it's in the eye of the beholder...

I spend a lot of time looking out of window's

and through camera lens',

sometimes I'm sure of what I'm looking at

other times I'm not so sure...

So when I was on a recent *walk about*

I tried to see different things in the things I'd seen for years.

Or, I guess, I would more rightly say that I looked differently at those places and things.

I happened past the old carriage house and as the stories I had heard and read tumbled through my mind, I did indeed *see* the ancient structure from a different perspective than ever before...

Sadly, people walk past usually with out a second glance in their hurry the block to where her sister stands...But this day I sought out the strength of the forgotten...

I saw the beautiful colors of the granite from our surrounding mountains

heard the songs of the bird's that now call it home.

Looked at the shades of the weathered boards covering the windows

And realized for the first time that although this structure has been in my life for many years

I had never brought with me the perspective I did that day...

I guess it's good to change our perspective once in a while...

To see what is really there, or is it?

If I hadn't I would have never have seen what the carriage house had to show me that day.

Take the chance to change your perspective.

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

Dandy Flowers

Some people think they are weeds and good for nothing.

Some people go so far as to try to keep them out of their neighbors yards so they don't travel into their own. Some people let them run amuck through their yards and give little thought or care to them one way or the other.

Some people make wine from them or use the greens in salads...

Then again...

Some people think they are the most precious gift and beautiful flower there could ever be.

And if they are gathered to late...

 they become wishes...

Aren't they indeed, dandy little flowers?!

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

Lesson's From Mom

I have been thinking about my Mom's shoes.

I know-weird right?!

I don't ever remember my mom going barefoot.

We used to try to get her to take off her shoes, because she could wade in the irrigation water or squish through the mud...all sorts of fun stuff like that.

But, Momma always wore shoes.

Her Mom uniform consisted of a dress, apron of some sort and shoes.

I love going barefoot.

I love wading in irrigation water.

But I don't really care for the mud part anymore...

I don't often wear a dress for everyday, but I'm not opposed to them,

and I only use apron's that I collect like a child collects bugs, 

if I remember.

Then I started noticing a few weeks ago that I have started wearing my shoes all day...

You know what?! My Mom had something there.

She was ready to be indoors or out at a moments notice.

She could go from house work to kid chasing in the blink of an eye.

Yep.

My Mom wore her shoes.

Just one more thing I understand about her and realize yet again-

the older I get the smarter she was!

Smile and remember;

We're all fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

Inspiration 3: Family

Probably the most inspirational people you can be with are the people of your family.

The family you were born into, married into, become the parents of, the In-Law's of and the Grandparents to.

As I have gotten more mature... (I really didn't want to use the word older there!)  I have realized that I have had the opportunity during my life be inspired by and become friends with siblings who were married or hippie's when I was still roller skate champ of the block.  One of whom just got me involved with a photography club and one of whom I have turned to a Ga-Zillion-Ten times and counting...whom made it possible for me to meet the family of my amazing Husband...Who, has inspired and supported me for the biggest part of my life in way's to lenghty to list!
Our children, daughter's and son in law, as well as grandchildren and other's, have been and continue to be amazing examples and inspiration !!! They incourage and introduce me to new things to learn ~ often without even knowing how much they inspire me...the short list includes but isn't limited to; perseverance and tenacity, continuing education, following dreams of art's, dance, inginuity, not to mention modern technology...

Once again, I also have to recognize family member's that I have never met in this life, or who have passed during my lifetime...their lessons, lives and love continue to teach and inspire me!!
Aunt Leona for her quirky, real people way's. She didn't have an easy life at all and yet she had the most amazing love of life. Grampa Leo's whole life has a growing impact on inspiring my life...He either hunted it, caught it, grew it and then made it-he used it up, wore it out, made it do, or did without.

Every family member touches my life in some way and I am blessed in some way by each.

Smile and remember;

We're all fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

Inspiration 2: Friends

Who isn't inspired by friends?!

While I am inspired by many, I have pictures of few, and am inspired by all!

Old friends, new friends, young friends, antique friends, live friends and friends who have passed.

I dare say I am also inspired by friends I haven't even met yet!

A few of my inspirational friends are;

Terri, who has inspired me in numerous ways since our children were young and we were over the fence neighbor's on Sugar Lane. We raised children, garden's and pets. We would go for walks and raid ditch banks for flowers and talk...

Together with Wendy, they taught me to Tole paint, play Bunco, and we would make homemade gifts for each other. Most of my Christmas decorations were made by these two!  

Among new friends who inspire me are, Beautiful Jules...

Who is my Sister's, Sister-in-law...

I am priviledged to be getting aquainted with!

She is an amazing person and Artist!!

From her paintings and incouragement I am my finding courage to try my hand at water color painting and I know she will be thrilled that I tried!

Her daughter Krisit is as delightful as others in their family I have had the privledge of knowing and meeting!

Kristi adds to her busy life, Author, Photographer, Speaker, and most recently Interpreter.

She incourages me to learn to Croyez en moi (Crayen-moo-wa) believe in myself, as well as to learn French! Here http://french-word-a-day.typepad.com/motdujour/2010/05/beurre.html  

Lana, is a woman of distinguished courage and ability, admired for her brave deeds and noble qualities as well as an inspiration to all who know her!!!

Yvonne was my Sister's, friends, Mother.

(Wheshoe!)

Our neighbor's across the street while growning up. In later life we became good friends-the oldest from the neighborhood and the Youngest. She adopted me after her friend, my Mother passed away. She incouraged me then as well as now!

I learned much more than I know from her!

A friend I haven't met-though I find incourages me every time I read her book or peruse her blog is a young woman named Kelly Rae Roberts...

She can be found here; http://kellyraeroberts.com/

Together,  these, and all the beautiful, spirited friends I am blessed with, incourage me in my life and creative pursuits!!!

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.

Inspiration 1

I don't remember when I started reading NieNie's blog.
I am thankful she is sharing her story with us, with me. I learn so much from her and am inspired by her to love the gift of each day I have...

This Week's Adventures

It rained, it snowed, it rained some more.

Busy Momma and I went to a pattern making class.

My sister, Auntie B., told me about a photography club so we went.

There were Birthday and Anniversary wishes to txt and make phone calls too.

I helped Busy Momma and Diggin' Daddy put a bunch of stuff into boxes.

Honey and I helped with a moving day adventure. 

We had visitors and pulled pork sandwiches.

And this seagull landed on our roof yesterday.

May we find joy in the doing!

Smile and remember;

We're fool's whether we dance or not. So we might as well dance.