farewell to July, so long River

In the scheme of things, having a nose like Jimmy Durante isn't all bad. I mention this dubious insight because for the past couple of summers more and more Pelicans have been visiting the lakes nearby. I love watching them glide in the air, usually in pairs, and meander slowly looking for fish. Its easy for me to identify with the beak, being Italian and all. Having spent a large part of my life wishing I looked like somebody else in one form or another, it occurred to me that even though by our societal standards a pelican is homely, therefore not valuable,  blather the fact that they aren't pretty doesn't seem to matter a bit to them.

My last stone I'm skipping across the river is raised in honor of these fish-eating, beautiful birds who don't seem bothered by how they look. In fact, the only thing on their mind is fish at the moment. Its all good!

Forrest Gump-ing along

July is quickly exhausting itself and I am left with two small stones that have been hiding in my pocket. Namely sublime and ridiculous.

This is my Aunt Yolande on the left at her wedding reception in Idaho. That was mid-century and just last Thursday she passed away. She was in her 90's and was the last remaining member of her family of 5 brothers and one sister. Imagine how I looked up to someone so elegant who had been in New York City learning to model at the Barbizon, who always wore pretty clothes and sat with her left hand in her lap whenever she was eating. The only magazines she had in her house that I remember were Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. She was my Godmother, who studied opera and raised three adopted children, never missed Mass and continued to be the matriarch of the family after her parents died. As in every life, there was plenty of good and a lot of close calls, prejudices, feuding and exclusion. I remember it all. The last time I saw her she told me she was afraid to die, mainly because she thought it must be so painful. I'm hoping not.

Now for that little scratchy pebble called Ridiculous. . .I stopped to take this photo last week because I've seen a lot of things growing out of this topiary dog, but never a squirrel masseuse.  Maybe he's just asking for directions. 
Maybe its the heat and I just thought I saw this. This is one for Camera Critters.

'stupid is as stupid does'

open season for Orbit

This is what summer days should look like. A calm lake, blue skies, a fishing pole and

and a dog that can fish the bank for you. This guy, named Orbit, was 'walking' quickly back and forth in the shallow water looking for fish. His owner said he loves to fish. He didn't catch any while I was there.

Skywatch Friday where you can see the catch of the day!

a stone's throw from the lake

Yesterday was hot and humid, [surprise]--with a really warm wind. I went for a walk in an older neighborhood. This lovely house with a ecclectic front porch and these lacy curtains caught my eye. They seemed to have a life all their own, celebrating the breeze off the lake.

 

b for blue, me for you

ABC Wednesday's letter du jour for Round 9 is B and for me that usually means blue. Today I give you my glass totem in blue. On our way home from our trip to Winnipeg last month we meandered through the historic town Fergus Falls, along the Otter Tail River, where along a boulevard in front of a lovely old house a collection of these handmade 'totems' were for sale. The artist uses all  manner of old glass, molding them together atop an upside down bud vase. They easily slip over an electrical conduit pipe and voila, a light-catcher in my flowers. 
Visit ABC Wednesday, Round 9 for more B's

 

small stones buzzing

I am reminded of the tireless industry of insects, birds and animals during the dog days of summer. The yellow Common Mullein blooming now always seems to have some insect buzzing around or a bird resting on top.

Again this season bees are struggling with more viruses causing major colony collapse across North America. I overheard two beekeepers at the local farmers market saying that many beekeepers are 'sharing' bees from each other's hives, trying to keep the hives balanced. So, I was happy to photograph this bee and wishes it well on its journey back to the hive..

To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,

 One clover, and a bee,

 And revery.

The revery alone will do,

If bees are few.

Emily Dickinson

Visit Today's Flowers.

sweet smooth stones

stones.that.soothe

A tough, hectic week leaving me feeling inept, childish, sweaty...these sandpipers must have been sidestepping the pebbles like the ones that had lodged in my shoes.

Their message: keep moving and notice that your shadow moves with you.

Thank you, dear feathered sages and I guess I'll be grateful to those irritating pebbles.