tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31618619591811302532024-03-05T03:12:56.324-05:00The Healthy NutA blog about the adventure of living a healthy, mindful, loving life in a world gone crazy. Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-44141977690602976562015-07-22T21:28:00.000-04:002015-07-22T21:28:28.891-04:00One Word Wednesday - SUMMER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-5569482124677711562015-06-08T16:44:00.002-04:002015-06-08T16:44:56.956-04:00And Then The World Exploded!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
***Oh my!! This post was slated for mid-May but was never posted. Here it is now!***<br />
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This year the newly sprouted green leaves struck me as if I had never seen them before!<br />
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May announced the rebirth of the earth in my part of the world in an explosive way. One day there is almost nothing and then there comes an explosion of green - a rapid fire succession of growth. <br />
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My garden survived the harsh winter with few casualties and I am blessed with an abundance of plants and birds.<br />
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Soon enough we will have to begin the arduous task of trimming the shrubs that threaten to overtake the yard but right now we are just sitting back enjoying this embarrassment of riches.<br />
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June, July and August will bring an explosion of flowers of every color in the rainbow. But right now there is mostly just a myriad of greens - surely a sight for winter weary eyes!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted Fern</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More fern at attention!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady's Mantle - adorned with morning dew</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dead Nettle - my favorite ground cover</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astilbe</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hosta nestled under the cherry tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Geranium</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columbine</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqP2QrNsdrgwmh0EiOw6EREZfQFd0bfufcyMKI5ChIM16rbZLdk-IhsmWqyBDrTlQUl3dPIpRB2hbqMusv7BT4_1lJNNdf733tvICYnAESCqzt-xNdQKwX7I8PWlYUx7D-zWZuL-RQSc/s1600/IMG_8482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhqP2QrNsdrgwmh0EiOw6EREZfQFd0bfufcyMKI5ChIM16rbZLdk-IhsmWqyBDrTlQUl3dPIpRB2hbqMusv7BT4_1lJNNdf733tvICYnAESCqzt-xNdQKwX7I8PWlYUx7D-zWZuL-RQSc/s640/IMG_8482.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bugleweed</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Epimedium</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon Fern in all its glory</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solomon's Seal</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Witch Hazel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Columbine</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_p2IVSz1dhH331HnpW0WvgyvtdPXORxteB7nBClNsPI930qXXRzR5fNGUNX4YTu_Q9gFksDrV4OhUNLprMIaFuebrjbRJd5Sb1VLIS-x79tBPc899Lu7HmhxYLBH-YGOLhJBcPTkaLw/s1600/IMG_8505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_p2IVSz1dhH331HnpW0WvgyvtdPXORxteB7nBClNsPI930qXXRzR5fNGUNX4YTu_Q9gFksDrV4OhUNLprMIaFuebrjbRJd5Sb1VLIS-x79tBPc899Lu7HmhxYLBH-YGOLhJBcPTkaLw/s640/IMG_8505.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Live-Forever</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGhyphenhyphenuPtPP0AAo-0NvTj8WAA8BW4A57k2WrsqE5AUsf29Op9SDw4gK8u-_22ZgRTNuoWFLMXDHCjZl_PyL6gF17rZ2AW13P1BA78A4btqpx7Q9tc_-EtSWVMCgieENqGZo3qnyLtI0eYU/s1600/IMG_8507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGhyphenhyphenuPtPP0AAo-0NvTj8WAA8BW4A57k2WrsqE5AUsf29Op9SDw4gK8u-_22ZgRTNuoWFLMXDHCjZl_PyL6gF17rZ2AW13P1BA78A4btqpx7Q9tc_-EtSWVMCgieENqGZo3qnyLtI0eYU/s640/IMG_8507.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new variety of day-lily </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Columbine leaves</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGCOjwX1yN-1WtUEG-OWytJ9Pk6DPvVkQiiXS4SV7lxoU3xMkesKCI0ClbljTIVTNaMWK1XBwxccxV1X5DNSC_FFfo-d8EY6vN-KzCMKaHKRH4ZzLRFy0PZ7aox8s9DeDkXvQZGUMAVA/s1600/IMG_8510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGCOjwX1yN-1WtUEG-OWytJ9Pk6DPvVkQiiXS4SV7lxoU3xMkesKCI0ClbljTIVTNaMWK1XBwxccxV1X5DNSC_FFfo-d8EY6vN-KzCMKaHKRH4ZzLRFy0PZ7aox8s9DeDkXvQZGUMAVA/s640/IMG_8510.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New growth on an Andromeda</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penstemon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Aj68IBTbWM9Qktn81lea9sgAOwYAycXz87w9EPbHabwCcIWwmrq2131cX27nKm0vVfbXpGFgBiCNJ_7Zjioayt730C1v6eF56qDscdeRB6lcFYWENCeyDO0Bn66_l31fQCRELF8bhqE/s1600/IMG_8514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Aj68IBTbWM9Qktn81lea9sgAOwYAycXz87w9EPbHabwCcIWwmrq2131cX27nKm0vVfbXpGFgBiCNJ_7Zjioayt730C1v6eF56qDscdeRB6lcFYWENCeyDO0Bn66_l31fQCRELF8bhqE/s640/IMG_8514.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coreopsis</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MXfP3YjfkLSEO54uWnO6gu43GfTwpq1GnNeJQPG-tfwZpSyHvyTzmtJpN0DEKWrRbCCWvnAypFzKZnMPSjIkJ_ocZnwReok2OGoz6_x7_F8XbsnTB47qxJLy31C7BaS_Jvvufm6YFGo/s1600/IMG_8516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MXfP3YjfkLSEO54uWnO6gu43GfTwpq1GnNeJQPG-tfwZpSyHvyTzmtJpN0DEKWrRbCCWvnAypFzKZnMPSjIkJ_ocZnwReok2OGoz6_x7_F8XbsnTB47qxJLy31C7BaS_Jvvufm6YFGo/s640/IMG_8516.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shy wild Iris</td></tr>
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During the renovation of our home the past several months, I felt very lucky that one of the rooms we could use was the sunroom which faces my garden. It has enabled me to keep my sanity and most of my serenity in the midst of chaos. <br />
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With any luck at all, I will have my home back in another month or so! In the meantime, I will find refuge in the green wonderland behind the house.<br />
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-64567979488597902832015-04-25T22:29:00.000-04:002015-04-25T22:33:44.379-04:00Back In The Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today we were finally able to get our hands dirty in the garden. It was glorious! After such a harsh and relentless winter, it felt so good to touch the warming earth. <br />
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As I cleaned out the beds and clipped back the plants in need of a haircut, I couldn't help but notice how marvelously the earth rejuvenates itself every spring.<br />
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In spite of a wicked cold winter, the perennials and shrubs and trees were sending out the shoots of new life. The Weeping Cherry, a bit late this year, is ready to pop when the temperature goes up a little more.<br />
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And who could possibly frown once they have been greeted by the sweetest yellow daffodils in the world - a sight for winter eyes, if ever there was one.<br />
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Last week there wasn't a single sign of the peonies but low and behold, they are a foot tall this week! Isn't that amazing.<br />
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If a garden is the metaphor for our life cycle as humans, then there is surely much to be hopeful about and there is no better time to celebrate that than in the spring. Just look at how this hosta is rising up from the dead leaf mold of last autumn's debris. Easter, indeed!<br />
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After an afternoon of stretching and bending, I sat down to rest for a few minutes. (One of the perks of being in our age group is lots of time to rest and smell the flowers, or in my case, photograph them) </div>
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I spotted the moon - the day moon - just creeping over the top of the cherry tree. For some reason this gave me great pleasure.</div>
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Later I noticed this fellow helping himself to the tender new leaves just sprouting on this oak. He is our resident acrobat, the one who keeps us entertained all winter.<br />
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The newly planted herb garden seems to have wintered over nicely. All of the perennial herbs have returned and<br />
are starting to grow although none of them were ready for a close-up today.<br />
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Already I am planning to move a few things, add a tree and I'm figuring out where and when to plant annual herbs and flowers.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #6aa84f;">Take Away for Today </span></i></b></div>
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Spring gardening rejuvenates my body, mind and my soul.<br />
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-13696035994126645682015-04-04T19:14:00.001-04:002015-04-04T19:14:39.528-04:00Easter Morning<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnytvWgYok0Umcx6qkdBfIL5sICwijkwpwo1WqobwcfRY-2i7SfVar6YeesMo7Ky5oaabV9MwW1Lwq0J_ezx3ucG4PQnmtw8O6oWGSPVFCoJ9nhy2Jjg8f60FBoq7Rc2OJMj3KgsMSfGQ/s640/blogger-image-330865064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnytvWgYok0Umcx6qkdBfIL5sICwijkwpwo1WqobwcfRY-2i7SfVar6YeesMo7Ky5oaabV9MwW1Lwq0J_ezx3ucG4PQnmtw8O6oWGSPVFCoJ9nhy2Jjg8f60FBoq7Rc2OJMj3KgsMSfGQ/s640/blogger-image-330865064.jpg"></a></div>Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-63131010142404834722015-03-17T13:24:00.001-04:002015-03-17T13:24:54.982-04:00Signs of Spring - Glory Be<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There is a good reason why I have Witch Hazel planted in my garden where I can see it from the house. Witch Hazel, bless it's wild and wonderful little heart, blooms here in New York, in late February and early March, just about the time I become desperate for a bit of color and some sign that spring is, indeed, on the way. </div>
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Another late winter clue comes from the birds. They begin chasing one another around the yard in a decidedly amorous way. Their winter silence is broken and an occasional song can be heard. </div>
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Inevitably, one damp and dreary winter morning, I will look out the window and notice that the sweet American Goldfinches, who turn a dull gray in winter are beginning to show traces of their coming yellow glory. Everyday they are a bit brighter! </div>
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Of course, in another week or two, there will be daffodils and other fancy stuff starting to bloom.<br />
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But right now, in spite of cold and wind and lingering piles of snow, thanks to the Witch Hazel and the Goldfinches, I can believe in spring!<br />
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-85867295743789109732015-02-07T21:16:00.000-05:002015-02-08T19:35:06.234-05:00Is Orange the New Black ? - A Haibun of Sorts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Someone asked me recently if I thought 80 might be the new 60. I wondered, irritably, I might add, why in the world she would ask ME that question since I'm nowhere near 80 or even 70 for that matter? How in heaven's name would I know?<br />
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For me, whatever age I am is a new adventure and some years have been a slide down while in other years, I have seemed to gain ground.<br />
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Take for instance the year I took up running. I was 57 years old and by the time I had been running for two years, I was thinner, stronger and healthier than I had been at 50. Then came Rheumatoid Arthritis and with it, enough pain and stiffness to take running off the table. For almost two years, I was without an effective treatment and unable to exercise at all. The downward slide was all too evident in those years.</div>
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crying child<br />
orange balloon<br />
just out of reach<br />
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My mental attitude was even more important than my physical condition. At first I resented the betrayal of my body and I was angry. Stubbornly I decided I would not exercise until I could run again. Call it denial, call it stupidity, whatever it was, I did not benefit much from that attitude.</div>
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snow moon<br />
the brim of her hat<br />
too wide<br />
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Once I accepted my body as the gift that it is, I began to move again and found that I really LOVED walking - long hikes at the beach, in the woods and in the city. I realized I had missed so much while running and now I could enjoy the sights and sounds, particularly of nature, in a whole new way.</div>
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deep shade<br />
just off the path<br />
a blue heron</div>
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One of the triggers for R.A. is high levels of stress and my doctor suggested I take a look at what kinds of things were stressing me and how I was responding to that stress. I began a meditation practice. This changed my life in ways that are still a challenge to describe. </div>
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stone Francis<br />
outside in February<br />
a dove perch </div>
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I use several forms of meditation, each one adds significantly to the quality and joy in my life. They include contemplative prayer, breathing exercises and guided meditation.</div>
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As you may know, I have an active practice of writing Japanese short form poetry especially haiku. This kind of writing brings my mind and senses to the present moment - and once I began to live in the present, I discovered, it is not only the best place to be, it is the ONLY place to be.<br />
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winter snowfall -<br />
a lotus blooming<br />
on her kimono</div>
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<a href="http://www.hsa-haiku.org/EducationalResources/Guidelines-for-Writing-Haibun.pdf">What is Haibun?</a> </div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-53813461075030311942014-12-22T06:00:00.000-05:002014-12-22T06:00:04.213-05:00Christmas Tanka<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3Avv7mIK47IB-U8wHMumzSA3-UcjDpCY2zyrIdr3HryuNtQTi_HwcuFFshLjhc_BvU0w-FECuOELSr179TPXCccqzn2sI5EkLpBpbEwfktrd8hSSZKuhVI4d_EcJZoW2oU92lknVNYc/s1600/IMG_0212+text+all+around.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG3Avv7mIK47IB-U8wHMumzSA3-UcjDpCY2zyrIdr3HryuNtQTi_HwcuFFshLjhc_BvU0w-FECuOELSr179TPXCccqzn2sI5EkLpBpbEwfktrd8hSSZKuhVI4d_EcJZoW2oU92lknVNYc/s1600/IMG_0212+text+all+around.jpg" height="492" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>****</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>unwrapping the memories<br />along with the dreams<br />one by one<br />i thank Goodness<br />for the gifts of christmas</i></b></span></div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-65439665902218958002014-12-18T20:51:00.000-05:002014-12-18T20:54:19.404-05:00Fun with Photography 'Apps'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Don't get me wrong, I love my camera and the photos it takes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAapFOLBqpMuoy1jU2XYoCNNi_nhgaWis_hMSJdsUz1UqHGxPcNV6WA7F7VYD8xm5LZj5R-1pRYgWam83zrc6ShWz9baNDT4rlX1rhwVvTy8j9T1nhREeyiY__Wpu52rm3HOViwuFT25U/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAapFOLBqpMuoy1jU2XYoCNNi_nhgaWis_hMSJdsUz1UqHGxPcNV6WA7F7VYD8xm5LZj5R-1pRYgWam83zrc6ShWz9baNDT4rlX1rhwVvTy8j9T1nhREeyiY__Wpu52rm3HOViwuFT25U/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG" height="433" width="640" /></a></div>
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But recently, I discovered that I can change the look of my photos<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgEIzkDu7dfga3da_Yxos13gXIPaHChFf6vm3KMndEZD6lBidtR8GXOf_nIjvQWlBhFMTm8gCHGUYZlJIq1FROv70MKEWTl-1tScQBQjG9vIHIyU_4yYvnYIW4lEP10Fz0uOTVYfUv1Q/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgEIzkDu7dfga3da_Yxos13gXIPaHChFf6vm3KMndEZD6lBidtR8GXOf_nIjvQWlBhFMTm8gCHGUYZlJIq1FROv70MKEWTl-1tScQBQjG9vIHIyU_4yYvnYIW4lEP10Fz0uOTVYfUv1Q/s1600/IMG_0045.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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using a myriad of 'apps' on phone , tablet or computer. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHLLCN0qY5T5rT5Tf8STgjBrG45rG9yDBt85TfdNBRA5mp1IexML5ceYxLCFVm5AnQvno-f1YjKAANBSxgs-hgcJvFGXe_e933dT53qn707XpR_3L0MPwLS2my7z18N0T9bxfKQE09tE/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHLLCN0qY5T5rT5Tf8STgjBrG45rG9yDBt85TfdNBRA5mp1IexML5ceYxLCFVm5AnQvno-f1YjKAANBSxgs-hgcJvFGXe_e933dT53qn707XpR_3L0MPwLS2my7z18N0T9bxfKQE09tE/s1600/IMG_0055.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was, of course, aware of photoshop and that it could do lots more but, at first, I was too timid to experiment with it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQSY_BUgRWH_Iwyu-XMc8psvjfMYlhnWgMwGIqsDPm8ErPRtekEDcxdbmoIe6zK2h-nQIlpIg67uHsCvNrDrr-iEPpiyKhSrk5ahJ1E-Yjheo54YZxOTrsOfJ6ZXbTvct5d-8cBPvy64/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQSY_BUgRWH_Iwyu-XMc8psvjfMYlhnWgMwGIqsDPm8ErPRtekEDcxdbmoIe6zK2h-nQIlpIg67uHsCvNrDrr-iEPpiyKhSrk5ahJ1E-Yjheo54YZxOTrsOfJ6ZXbTvct5d-8cBPvy64/s1600/IMG_0072.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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What I didn't realize was that there are scores of 'art' apps and photo editing apps that will alter photos to look<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgFlinUWes4gtztSDiNyletLN1rllm9VhCgyMTiHv1PTvR4XLl7bIUiSWxafx1qAcGkt33Eb7tSi5evt2oaloZmXz8V_qqMLnBAFxtqGP_ZwbSfKR1f5ZMzSN9Or04SSEpkREtOHI2FE/s1600/IMG_0089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgFlinUWes4gtztSDiNyletLN1rllm9VhCgyMTiHv1PTvR4XLl7bIUiSWxafx1qAcGkt33Eb7tSi5evt2oaloZmXz8V_qqMLnBAFxtqGP_ZwbSfKR1f5ZMzSN9Or04SSEpkREtOHI2FE/s1600/IMG_0089.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">like watercolors </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqLNL4NC-fsyxeXpEsAe9KXl_Qjn6i4O0EP8m3rPyn_7Tsl1g6UXlc4q2Dk8PXG4NAt34ea5obvXgdFfqPRn1RgmO2-qpa7d6vI_eX6CcNRqNq6JtZ4brQQjT6TYnS-pUYTViW7Pzr_o/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrqLNL4NC-fsyxeXpEsAe9KXl_Qjn6i4O0EP8m3rPyn_7Tsl1g6UXlc4q2Dk8PXG4NAt34ea5obvXgdFfqPRn1RgmO2-qpa7d6vI_eX6CcNRqNq6JtZ4brQQjT6TYnS-pUYTViW7Pzr_o/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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or oil paintings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVLBfAkKbQ9fu6iYxkbVbYnfdmSYoVfovNR5mFqIIf6qXiypPSbUlvV1ezZqmWBHvzdkLuIGLvCdrpKpw7_1kLHmEFQik_YWscwhGYNL_m45wtOWZvUhG1W49kvZQLIyn9YvSpcvhX5A/s1600/IMG_0148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVLBfAkKbQ9fu6iYxkbVbYnfdmSYoVfovNR5mFqIIf6qXiypPSbUlvV1ezZqmWBHvzdkLuIGLvCdrpKpw7_1kLHmEFQik_YWscwhGYNL_m45wtOWZvUhG1W49kvZQLIyn9YvSpcvhX5A/s1600/IMG_0148.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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and literally hundreds of other styles too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyf1zpii9Pr8ye2F6sSZLUQC4U1oxn2Uda03f9dumn6Ng0gu6P_-Bhk9Cmc9200P1227TOgAEYpkWkDy3_vvIzU6S724W7y0J8tblbs03GyTGYpTdej-NoJv-T87ZJP0CXcRFbdPVI1gE/s1600/IMG_0151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyf1zpii9Pr8ye2F6sSZLUQC4U1oxn2Uda03f9dumn6Ng0gu6P_-Bhk9Cmc9200P1227TOgAEYpkWkDy3_vvIzU6S724W7y0J8tblbs03GyTGYpTdej-NoJv-T87ZJP0CXcRFbdPVI1gE/s1600/IMG_0151.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have been creating haiga using my photos for several years but recently began to experiment with altered photo images, such as these.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0bhiiknnE_tjYNlfj6CRAyR16qP_XzgvojrajZcLSFdOnuDnTpqZd7Gb6RjEDX_S7AJxkWnHDURTr0-DwL0Ibg9a-3TUjQCtsv9MHEFuI4VJwrprc1h_1rUrKgWI7Jlr3n7OUYXplxU/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ0bhiiknnE_tjYNlfj6CRAyR16qP_XzgvojrajZcLSFdOnuDnTpqZd7Gb6RjEDX_S7AJxkWnHDURTr0-DwL0Ibg9a-3TUjQCtsv9MHEFuI4VJwrprc1h_1rUrKgWI7Jlr3n7OUYXplxU/s1600/IMG_0156.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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It is very enjoyable for me to put the photo through several 'apps' to get different effects.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEqVCrox_kJOF-b-Zz1Uj3X55iXYYdhfBSmnsMSwKzz0sq0cJQlniB7BikJ3ydutUJUdSsMwhDEOep09OvYHBqJxBp8j6pqj81mA-YeKF4wsjbbhGzpiIvM9n5HIm_8bfTabuiZuplz8/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEqVCrox_kJOF-b-Zz1Uj3X55iXYYdhfBSmnsMSwKzz0sq0cJQlniB7BikJ3ydutUJUdSsMwhDEOep09OvYHBqJxBp8j6pqj81mA-YeKF4wsjbbhGzpiIvM9n5HIm_8bfTabuiZuplz8/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once I find the most pleasing image, I use another program to add the poem to the image.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAkgr2shsrx-WLvpLM5hVrWkuTARGXCcMik31d6fwx0r9mGfSZjhaNv54zhN7nm7z4_K2VySDKLQ-1Y42qLdIjGMTmL3zYHT2DRT-mfaHP3kI4mrNRIA1YDhq_CChD6or7gIJ0WP0J-A/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAkgr2shsrx-WLvpLM5hVrWkuTARGXCcMik31d6fwx0r9mGfSZjhaNv54zhN7nm7z4_K2VySDKLQ-1Y42qLdIjGMTmL3zYHT2DRT-mfaHP3kI4mrNRIA1YDhq_CChD6or7gIJ0WP0J-A/s1600/IMG_0199.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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These photos were taken last fall during the leaf-peeping season and depending on the mood I want to create<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWityNtv9_XHIGh6ucQPnzB-mkBGvtXNTIYnSUc7jDUkrp4MwPVr-bjh08PpnXC7gOUav-QuuQHofn9UJbO4gSGubkBffXwhLFW0i0rgxNkyDFRFtXM7Rbi4oiAQLVkjMEfF8TBn7ZH-4/s1600/IMG_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWityNtv9_XHIGh6ucQPnzB-mkBGvtXNTIYnSUc7jDUkrp4MwPVr-bjh08PpnXC7gOUav-QuuQHofn9UJbO4gSGubkBffXwhLFW0i0rgxNkyDFRFtXM7Rbi4oiAQLVkjMEfF8TBn7ZH-4/s1600/IMG_0289.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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they can be very vibrant or muted.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3aapMXEFtwuVHBvSkqaeBbLdisKWR6ktrXZDCrgxNCVHNpMwPAsn0YZ6C_1UKICgVTB1R7tLLrhFUC4W_8BClUlaDM9LwTHodKVVwT8rsYrEyp3OJ4DFIz4Nz_LBNbuXh3wB-3avIzo/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3aapMXEFtwuVHBvSkqaeBbLdisKWR6ktrXZDCrgxNCVHNpMwPAsn0YZ6C_1UKICgVTB1R7tLLrhFUC4W_8BClUlaDM9LwTHodKVVwT8rsYrEyp3OJ4DFIz4Nz_LBNbuXh3wB-3avIzo/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am not an artist but I do take some pretty good photos and it has given me great pleasure to learn how to turn the pictures into 'works of art.'<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWrl_lr9GeredloMPjoDizr9jgEohIfiloMtqBKk6tNGDZaXyQYYxus-eBLTZwdHPTVmVXYqhVrRzm7LvLkVfA0r7UfUTXAf1ZmxUlMSCv1Rjyar1Au-3-cX6CmVO3SVUeNPMILL1hfA/s1600/IMG_3326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWrl_lr9GeredloMPjoDizr9jgEohIfiloMtqBKk6tNGDZaXyQYYxus-eBLTZwdHPTVmVXYqhVrRzm7LvLkVfA0r7UfUTXAf1ZmxUlMSCv1Rjyar1Au-3-cX6CmVO3SVUeNPMILL1hfA/s1600/IMG_3326.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is a completed haiga which was<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eAze22F8deNq8ledste0imCNWBtsyPaDikYoS6HdVxxA4QRZ4Pv1mfgLaQRwBsGUx3Rxb1vmI4TIevvOCVb2HPk4By78chsCHUgV7BvKj1GpjdIInl0TBSNEY7HLYbtu76-KCII8a_c/s1600/IMG_0170+moonbeams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eAze22F8deNq8ledste0imCNWBtsyPaDikYoS6HdVxxA4QRZ4Pv1mfgLaQRwBsGUx3Rxb1vmI4TIevvOCVb2HPk4By78chsCHUgV7BvKj1GpjdIInl0TBSNEY7HLYbtu76-KCII8a_c/s1600/IMG_0170+moonbeams.jpg" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
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published in the Winter 2014 edition of <i><b><a href="http://www.wildgraces.com/Akitsu-Quarterly.html">Akitsu Quarterly</a></b></i><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Take-Away - it is never too late to learn new tricks.</i></b></span></div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-16174405912241011002014-12-08T21:54:00.000-05:002014-12-08T21:55:35.781-05:00Akitsu Quarterly- Sand Crab Moon Haiga<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8diZu9LKTbA78KE0PyR_VH4rGCfVWkLtteIRUhigaEbyHVoCCymB7vKTdcIWW9IkLgnWoQ0t8gj_oTH_UflAcoWxeGtdkY4tYptRvBlj2DCu4OmGRcVoOzx3FMWMO2zH1BCix2UcAaU/s1600/IMG_0139Kaufmann+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8diZu9LKTbA78KE0PyR_VH4rGCfVWkLtteIRUhigaEbyHVoCCymB7vKTdcIWW9IkLgnWoQ0t8gj_oTH_UflAcoWxeGtdkY4tYptRvBlj2DCu4OmGRcVoOzx3FMWMO2zH1BCix2UcAaU/s1600/IMG_0139Kaufmann+copy.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><i>Akitsu Quarterly<br /><br />Winter 2013</i></b></div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-7396169988369522182014-12-02T14:44:00.000-05:002014-12-02T14:44:08.295-05:00The Gifts of Early December<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Winter is almost here. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsInAWnK_wWkNFd3drVeZ_2E7t3lUGZrCsp4EPRupsZwncWSz0C3OrVJhlHH_fR3zK8BR_IAucgey0nsQjpVV254TlYdSQd6dxWUXskUB7xGXgsHgJV1ZrbN98IUycU_dhArr6rhG44jA/s1600/IMG_1261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsInAWnK_wWkNFd3drVeZ_2E7t3lUGZrCsp4EPRupsZwncWSz0C3OrVJhlHH_fR3zK8BR_IAucgey0nsQjpVV254TlYdSQd6dxWUXskUB7xGXgsHgJV1ZrbN98IUycU_dhArr6rhG44jA/s1600/IMG_1261.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I can taste it in the coolness of the air. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf01y8fs0NepRDdD5LJB0LwLlBWbDLqzKX_yOh-08lu47kKhEMaEaAHbDITQekbMxur-NIjVQ3yG1W0wAYErrc68qC7HjKoh9kx9z78i1R4zAKOHWpJFCl_Pc-bkaLjNmQrjH5H9WEaf8/s1600/IMG_2042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf01y8fs0NepRDdD5LJB0LwLlBWbDLqzKX_yOh-08lu47kKhEMaEaAHbDITQekbMxur-NIjVQ3yG1W0wAYErrc68qC7HjKoh9kx9z78i1R4zAKOHWpJFCl_Pc-bkaLjNmQrjH5H9WEaf8/s1600/IMG_2042.jpg" height="640" width="472" /></a></div>
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I can see it on my breath. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dH0mzrX6DPt8v_B99WyFpxVw1K0WXJM7pPMxnSSmclgIDzvqW2Bu9Ec1HjPUWBCcEk9Jk0GHzfr9PvQe8MYjrHwk9ZVc4aPZ1uxR373wRYPFAKBi3ZQwqzc9jbLPF0D8mPS3x8G5LmQ/s1600/IMG_2049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8dH0mzrX6DPt8v_B99WyFpxVw1K0WXJM7pPMxnSSmclgIDzvqW2Bu9Ec1HjPUWBCcEk9Jk0GHzfr9PvQe8MYjrHwk9ZVc4aPZ1uxR373wRYPFAKBi3ZQwqzc9jbLPF0D8mPS3x8G5LmQ/s1600/IMG_2049.jpg" height="640" width="474" /></a></div>
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The time has come to dial down the noise and spend some quality time meditating and praying. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjiIwhFMMWP8hPpk6L3un3p8hLJ5zdFkrI6VTYvSPyZ2-Qwng_ZsEWivJeVorXDgGuk4RpuAadelUUNGuXP-l2M3a4wasGzTZ8BWvwCEJAzCIPqTYAypY0ezlQiIHqy4QDuvcYAKH7DY/s1600/IMG_6925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjiIwhFMMWP8hPpk6L3un3p8hLJ5zdFkrI6VTYvSPyZ2-Qwng_ZsEWivJeVorXDgGuk4RpuAadelUUNGuXP-l2M3a4wasGzTZ8BWvwCEJAzCIPqTYAypY0ezlQiIHqy4QDuvcYAKH7DY/s1600/IMG_6925.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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For me, early winter is the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, when I like to skip away from the bustle of preparing for the holidays and spend some quiet time in the woods. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvm6O21khIoBl7_qPvtx62MxVSnaQQpXRBoBWVbtFvhFvpda_Uzps8XfUx0hgEy_47ybfgjtMlCtm0Igw3IK0rnbF1uoWe9zmymBCP2UAK7U0kDlUmnqfCpORp8JV_HhkXbLIQIXatwo/s1600/IMG_6945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvm6O21khIoBl7_qPvtx62MxVSnaQQpXRBoBWVbtFvhFvpda_Uzps8XfUx0hgEy_47ybfgjtMlCtm0Igw3IK0rnbF1uoWe9zmymBCP2UAK7U0kDlUmnqfCpORp8JV_HhkXbLIQIXatwo/s1600/IMG_6945.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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It isn't terribly cold yet and the sun obliges with shadows that are only this interesting once a year. </div>
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My eyes notice textures and colors that are obscured by the green and gold of other seasons.<br />
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The light is free to play on the water.<br />
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And the mauve and gray tones compete with black and white in the late afternoon clouds.<br />
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The hearty birds stand guard over the wetlands and provide company for a solitary walker.<br />
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My heart feels bigger in the last weeks before the solstice. I find so much to contemplate in the silence of the woods. Everyone else is somewhere else and I can find all the gifts I need, right here in the woods. And I give thanks for them!<br />
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-16301400970902697082014-08-13T20:03:00.001-04:002014-08-13T20:04:22.767-04:00Fresh Sage - A Delicious Twist<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
OK. There is a good reason I named this blog 'The Healthy <i>NUT</i>.' I am just a little crazy and this post may prove it. I have had almost no desire to cook much lately, relying on easy summery recipes that require a minimum of time in the kitchen. We eat lots of salads and fresh veggies, chicken and fish. <br />
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Recently a friend e-mailed me asking for some recipe ideas for a bumper crop of sage. I suddenly had a burning desire to make something I could garnish with fried sage. Usually I make vegetarian cassoulet or bean soup in the fall and both recipes are enhanced by the frizzled sage on top. But who wants to make a meal like that in August. <br />
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Today while in the market, I spotted a butternut squash -<i>already peeled and cubed. </i>A recipe was forming in my (crazy) brain. I added a package of crumbled gorgonzola to the basket and I knew what we were having for dinner. <br />
Perhaps it was the 13 inches of rain that fell on us in 24 hours that gave me a yen for comfort food, but this is what I cooked up tonight. <br />
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<i><b>Quinoa Risotto With Butternut Squash and Fried Sage Leaves and Gorgonzola</b></i></div>
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Olive Oil</div>
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4 cloves ofGarlic</div>
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1 Onion</div>
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A handful of fresh sage</div>
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1 cup tricolor quinoa</div>
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2&1/2 cups of water or broth</div>
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pepper</div>
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2 cups of cubed winter squash </div>
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1 cup of gorgonzola cheese, crumbled</div>
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Coat the squash with olive oil and bake in 400 oven for about 30 minutes.</div>
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Heat a generous amount of olive oil and fry the sage leaves quickly. Remove from the heat when they are crispy and drain on a paper towel. </div>
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In the same pan, heat more oil (a tablespoon) cook the onion for 3-4 minutes add garlic and quinoa. cook for 3-4 minutes until quinoa starts to jump around in the pan. Slowly add water or broth, 1/4 cup at a time and stir as you would risotto. Keep stirring and adding the water. This will take about 25-30 minutes for the quinoa to cook. </div>
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Add salt and pepper to taste. Turn off the heat and fold in the gorgonzola and the roasted squash. Garnish with the sage. </div>
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I served this with a straight- from- the- garden -yellow- tomato- and -basil - salad and a simple dressing. Drizzle with olive oil and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Salt and pepper to taste.</div>
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Anyone who has read my recipes before knows that I like a recipe that can be changed up with whatever is on hand. I can envision this working with asparagus and goat cheese or sun-dried tomatoes and parmesan cheese. </div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i>Today's Take-away </i></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b><i> Sage - It's not just for Thanksgiving anymore!</i></b></span><br />
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-3486163754392891132014-07-28T18:34:00.000-04:002014-07-28T18:34:44.970-04:00World Haiku Association (122nd Haiga Contest)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://tfship.net/haiga_contest/122/haiga122.htm">World Haiku Association</a></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i>122nd Haiga Contest</i></b></div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-46167775194733865942014-07-25T19:35:00.000-04:002014-07-25T19:35:09.626-04:00Midsummer's Daydream<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://youtu.be/7DnAPQcPMNU">Rik Emmett Midsummer's Daydream</a> - music for garden dreaming.</div>
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The days have been warm and sunny, the nights cool and breezy. The summer has been good to us. Perfect weather for getting outside in the garden to work, then dawdle, then work a bit more.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coreopsis</td></tr>
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I was wandering around early one morning when I realized that, in summer, my garden is all about attracting the birds and the bees and the butterflies. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">African Blue Basil</td></tr>
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The bees love my basil and I've planted several varieties for them to enjoy since I keep picking the flowers off the sweet basil so there will be an abundance of it for pesto making in late August.<br />
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The purple coneflowers in the back round pull in the American Goldfinches. All summer they stop by to check on the progress of the seed pods. Then in the fall they keep coming to eat until they have exhausted the supply of seeds.<br />
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My 'Carefree Rose' holds court in the center of the herb garden, and is finally acclimated to the move. And ready for a close-up this morning!<br />
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Just as he was purported to do in life, Francis stands so still that the birds often land on his head to rest. He is almost hidden in the lobelia, but the doves and the cardinals know where he is.<br />
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The sunny garden has been handed over to the hummingbirds and butterflies. There is sage, monarda, honeysuckle, lantana, butterfly bush and trumpet vine along with the lobelia to lure them into my world.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdqsZTTAQDRpVyDjbWNYHPyuZtW6mNdf4tYOIRrRJwHVc9DpuKwxt_rTKz8J9_viMHkP1Yv2EHWXVDam7V5PkDpsB_jGFTesBJmZ6JAsIscVKka15H1jjeffRp__Xx1NdavyIRq2lm0E/s1600/IMG_4065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUdqsZTTAQDRpVyDjbWNYHPyuZtW6mNdf4tYOIRrRJwHVc9DpuKwxt_rTKz8J9_viMHkP1Yv2EHWXVDam7V5PkDpsB_jGFTesBJmZ6JAsIscVKka15H1jjeffRp__Xx1NdavyIRq2lm0E/s1600/IMG_4065.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bee Balm or Monarda</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJ0ZMf6oGswmtTPT3qiVw3r7FGvaayKXg5cis5lo1r3CX0Gx6RvyUGZC7tBVGYyCD3A31ucuwW8ufyu_khFaboKd2sT6cDX9BwIqWqWn96XEyB365f8bOoku41REsdI0gNb4tutgPNjQ/s1600/IMG_4034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJ0ZMf6oGswmtTPT3qiVw3r7FGvaayKXg5cis5lo1r3CX0Gx6RvyUGZC7tBVGYyCD3A31ucuwW8ufyu_khFaboKd2sT6cDX9BwIqWqWn96XEyB365f8bOoku41REsdI0gNb4tutgPNjQ/s1600/IMG_4034.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trumpet Vine</td></tr>
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And of course, what hummingbird garden is complete without this aggressive climber - a trumpet vine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpJg2hCaUI7gOHmgWnwS-EzeMXtvOJVQbVe48-7Ocfi9yiF1LxMlzgnRLfdOnsEkNGs6nezmifT3K9-Rpp1wRTXMolm7XPIgGaUN0qyC8pKyyafGUIMxlW39opbn8DT53wKbDkwg3bWo/s1600/IMG_4062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpJg2hCaUI7gOHmgWnwS-EzeMXtvOJVQbVe48-7Ocfi9yiF1LxMlzgnRLfdOnsEkNGs6nezmifT3K9-Rpp1wRTXMolm7XPIgGaUN0qyC8pKyyafGUIMxlW39opbn8DT53wKbDkwg3bWo/s1600/IMG_4062.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuphea</td></tr>
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Last year we discovered this plant, an annual called the 'cigar plant' or cuphea while we were hunting for herbs at the <a href="http://barbarathehealthynut.blogspot.com/2013/11/taking-ride-out-east.htm">Peconic River Herb Farm</a>. The hummingbirds were crazy for it at the farm. So, of course, we HAD to get some this year. I'm delighted to report that we've had a male hummingbird visiting us at least twice a day for the past two weeks and he visits every nectar plant in the garden before moving on!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh510IxYXg-k4ZcIG9VKgwsmqtJCf_pblouGu0Cu4YX_rqjGW4rkCrlM3AvtAkVL64KuYIptmBrd6uoH04LVkZiULN66qdORItJT3lZzwYozfD1urJUp6a5c0qFIDUzJxwFJNIQfAnxfM/s1600/IMG_4077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh510IxYXg-k4ZcIG9VKgwsmqtJCf_pblouGu0Cu4YX_rqjGW4rkCrlM3AvtAkVL64KuYIptmBrd6uoH04LVkZiULN66qdORItJT3lZzwYozfD1urJUp6a5c0qFIDUzJxwFJNIQfAnxfM/s1600/IMG_4077.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coleus - center stage in the shade</td></tr>
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I have fallen in love with coleus For the shadier garden spots. It is an easy-going annual that can add a real pop of color in mid-summer when the shade plants are mostly green. The best part of coleus is this. I can take cuttings at the end of summer, root it, grow it in the sunroom all winter, then move it outside to live in the ground all summer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoW7YIguG1HaELY_fDJYh_UldGMCA3i7Zx93IRoMVKl5ok4_BAhjogDZ5ra832da-1IZ14NVGeOuuzg35ruWO_otOqtS_bwLfDfFtTeAOjMg_Q9-J14xkWxhYPmQk8U8u__V5-gBCSBdw/s1600/IMG_4082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoW7YIguG1HaELY_fDJYh_UldGMCA3i7Zx93IRoMVKl5ok4_BAhjogDZ5ra832da-1IZ14NVGeOuuzg35ruWO_otOqtS_bwLfDfFtTeAOjMg_Q9-J14xkWxhYPmQk8U8u__V5-gBCSBdw/s1600/IMG_4082.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two varieties of Coleus - there are so many to choose from</td></tr>
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I am also spending a bit of time each day harvesting and drying herbs and flowers for use all winter. Iam collecting chamomile, calendula and St. John's Wort flowers to make a lovely skin cream once I have enough flowers. More on that another time. And I pull weeds for an hour or two every now and then. <br />
But mostly what I do is stop to smell the roses, write in my garden journal and<br />
indulge in midsummer daydreaming! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56y-FG9P0B11aCue7OZZZXwLzd-ajBqDD_USZ0CuUYI6OqvyQqRshFkR3FYNA0XTvElNMJYSc8_ZR8ovNvjE3XpSSBmaR4FhL7yFgph5WoCe5M0gu5vVQMCTndFsPaNrrpSM10ywTBm8/s1600/IMG_4052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56y-FG9P0B11aCue7OZZZXwLzd-ajBqDD_USZ0CuUYI6OqvyQqRshFkR3FYNA0XTvElNMJYSc8_ZR8ovNvjE3XpSSBmaR4FhL7yFgph5WoCe5M0gu5vVQMCTndFsPaNrrpSM10ywTBm8/s1600/IMG_4052.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My treehouse</td></tr>
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Finally, when the mosquitoes arrive, it is time to retreat to my own private treehouse. I was trying to get a bug's eye view of the sky with the bee balm in the picture, when I suddenly noticed my sunroom in the back round. Nice view looking in or out! <br />
<br />
I hope you find a garden for daydreaming..... today and everyday.</div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-84274272239870486942014-07-23T20:11:00.000-04:002014-07-23T20:11:50.437-04:00Dragonfly!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000; font-family: inherit;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">***</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="color: #000000; font-family: inherit;" style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Weeding at</span> six forty-five<br />
A.M. and already<br />
I am perspiring.<br />
Little rivers tickle down my back and face, mixing with the citronella I<br />
bathed in, before venturing into mosquito territory. There is a sparrow<br />
singing<br />
in the cherry tree, serenading early risers. I sweat and remind<br />
myself that all this bending will keep me young, allegedly. I spot<br />
a dragonfly<br />
on the bee balm<br />
right next to my leg.<br />
Breath skips out<br />
of me. Now<br />
he flies,<br />
spins,<br />
thin<br />
as a<br />
whis<br />
per,<br />
land<br />
ing<br />
on a<br />
shoe,<br />
resting<br />
from<br />
what<br />
ever it<br />
is a<br />
dra<br />
gon<br />
fly<br />
d<br />
o<br />
e<br />
s<br />
!</div>
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</div>
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Published 7/14 - <em> Bards Annual 2014 - a Poetry Anthology </em></div>
</div>
Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-45616079109766171232014-07-20T23:15:00.000-04:002014-07-20T23:15:37.906-04:00Published - Bards Annual 2014 - A Poetry Anthology<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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JOY RIDE</div>
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<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">think how your body moved down the avenue of fourteen<br />hips swaying into tomorrow and the next day</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">how you curl your tongue around the idea of chocolate<br />consumed by it even as your body consumes it</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">how your eyes connect with other eyes,<br />locking you into that inevitable, unforgettable dance</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and feel how your body shudders and utters delight<br />when you share its secrets</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">how Beethoven ravaged, savaged your heart<br />invading, vibrating a joyous ode across tiny ear drums</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">how your skin felt like silk when you dove into the ocean,<br />and the salt-flecked water blessed, caressed and ate you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">how your body worked to roll out another and another body,<br />sweating and pushing, pushing and sweating you bore them out</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">then swooned at the scent of brand new-born<br />pouring into every open door your body owns</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">how you are stunned when you rise from a daydream</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">and your eyes run across the sky, immense, intense with clouds</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">how you glow when a little boy stops playing</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">to touch your cheek lightly, politely planting a kiss</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> how a river of pleasure runs through your nose when a rose<br />shrugs off its holy fragrance</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">and oh,</span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">feel how your heart pumped as you jumped on your bike<br />willing your eight year old legs to ride forever</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">how you soared, when you stopped on the road to Yosemite, awed<br />and had to lie on the hood of the car to keep from falling into the stars</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13.63636302947998px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">and how your heart sings in time with the birds<br />when spring arrives to banish, vanish winter</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">your body convulses and pulses with laughter,<br />tears flowing, you fall down on the floor</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">when you think what an impossible joy-ride it has given you<br />ever since you climbed aboard at your naked, gasping birth.</span></div>
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****</div>
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<br /></div>
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Published July 2014 - <em>Bards Annual</em> <em> 2014 - A Poetry Anthology</em></div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-17518603844641957082014-07-12T22:00:00.002-04:002014-07-12T22:00:12.390-04:00Busy, Busy, Busy!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My life is so full these days, I barely have time to write about it. A few family obligations have stepped in the way of my writing time to some extent and this blog has been neglected while I kept a few other balls in the air, so to speak. <br />
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The truth is, I have been doing some writing, but it has been mostly poetry. Much of it is on my poetry blog here :<u> <a href="http://wabisabipoet.wordpress.com/">wabi sabi poems and images</a></u> and lately, on Facebook too. I was delighted to have several of my short poems published over the past few months including these two haiga. <br />
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These appear in the current issue of <a href="http://prunejuice.wordpress.com/">Prune Juice</a>, a journal of senryu and kyoka .</div>
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My garden is blooming and I am so blessed to have a wonderful peaceful backyard where I can work up a sweat pulling weeds and meditating on the beauty all around me. I am one of those people who communes with the trees and the birds and even the bees. In the garden, I feel close to the Creator. </div>
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I have a wrap-around view from my sunroom of the entire garden so even when the mosquitoes are biting, I can enjoy it.<br />
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In the sunny area we've planted an array of flower magnets with lots of nectar and seeds to attract the hummingbirds, gold finches, butterflies and bees too.<br />
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Above you can see the blue salvia - sure to bring in the hummingbirds ....<br />
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as will the monarda.........<br />
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also called bee balm!<br />
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Day lilies add so much joy and color to one area and each variety feels like an old friend.<br />
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This hydrangea loves its shady spot and, with the ferns and astilbe, it brightens up the mostly green fern garden.<br />
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I have begun harvesting herbs. Today the kitchen smelled of lemon verbena. I dry this wonderful herb to flavor my teas. </div>
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Chamomile has seeded itself willy-nilly throughout the garden - I welcome these cuties especially since they make a wonderful sleep tea AND I add them to my hand cream and ointment recipe. Chamomile is a lovely healing herb found in many natural skin care products on the market. <br />
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The herb garden, moved to its new sunny location, is thriving. The African Basil plant pictured above (purple flowers) wintered over very successfully in my sunroom and took off as soon as I planted it outdoors in the spring. </div>
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The summer weather has been good to us so far - not too much humidity. The plants look so healthy this year- not as stressed as usual. The humans are loving it too! </div>
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My plans for the rest of July include:</div>
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* Keeping up with the weeds and the herb harvest.</div>
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* Early morning walks with the Admiral, who is recovering from surgery.</div>
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* Making photos and poems as a way of writing the joy I feel in the natural world around me. </div>
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* Reading list : <i>Moloka'i</i> by Alan Brennert and <i>Flight Behavior</i> by Barbara Kingsolver.</div>
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* Daily meditation (and prayer) a way to spend time with God and offer thanksgiving for all of the wonders of summer.</div>
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Take Away - It's summer! Don't forget to stop to smell the lemon verbena!</b></span></div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-47263685521438820752014-06-02T20:44:00.000-04:002014-06-02T20:44:01.812-04:00Digging a New Garden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The trees on the south side of our yard grew while we weren't looking. </div>
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Suddenly, it seemed, our beloved herb garden, was bathed in shade for most of the summer last year. </div>
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So, we decided to move it to a sunnier spot - which just happened to be in the middle of the lawn. Good-bye grass..... hello, raised herb garden!</div>
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The Bearded One, my personal hero and the strongest man I ever met, was in heaven, digging and measuring and hauling compost from one side of the yard to the other. No really! He LOVES to do that stuff! </div>
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My job was to design the layout and transplant all the herbs and plant the annual herbs - either grown from seed or purchased. </div>
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What a team! <br />
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Chives- a favorite spring herb since it arrives early enough to be on the table for Easter, also provides a bit of color in May and June, and the flowers can be chopped and added to the recipe or used to flavor a salad.<br />
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These tiny basil plants will become my pesto in August and September, when I prepare and freeze as much as I can for use all winter. I keep snipping the basil all summer, topping it every time I see it trying to bloom. This helps the plants to produce more leaves and provides the perfect accompaniment to fresh tomato salads. <br />
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This is one of my views from that lovely sunroom pictured above. I am truly blessed to have this garden to look at whenever I want. The sunroom is my treehouse in summer and my greenhouse in winter. </div>
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Thyme is blooming it's little head off right now and that's OK. It will bring in the bees and the scent is strong enough to waft into the house when it is humid.<br />
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This Carefree rose bush was also languishing in a shady spot so I decided to make this the focal point in the center of the herb garden. I'm hoping it will take off once it feels the sun's warmth again.<br />
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I'm trying some new herbs this year. I found a seed packet for Jamaican Hibiscus - the tropical hibiscus that flavors 'Red Zinger' Tea. I have been buying this delicious herb from Mountain Rose for many years. This year I'm going to try growing it in the garden and then moving it into the house in the fall.<br />
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My list of herbs for this garden includes thyme, Greek oregano, lemon verbena, basil, rose, calendula, lovage, fennel, dill, pineapple sage, chamomile, hyssop, sorrel, rue, artemisia, African blue basil, cinnamon basil, lemongrass and lavender.<br />
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In another, shadier area I have lemon balm and spearmint and peppermint. They are in containers to keep them within bounds.<br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-size: large;">Thought for Today - most herbs are easy to grow....... as easy as growing weeds!</span><br />
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-18449832251351337292014-05-20T22:43:00.000-04:002014-05-20T22:43:40.783-04:00Let's Go For A Stroll<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Welcome to the calm before the storm... the storm of color that will erupt when June arrives in my garden.<br />
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Between the flashy daffodils and cherry blossoms of April and the peonies and iris' of June, my garden becomes a place to saunter from one little (delicate) wild flower to another.<br />
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The colors are subdued and the blossoms are small. But the rewards of wandering around and looking closely are many. I can while away an afternoon among these shy little gems.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bleeding Heart just beginning to bloom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Geraniums </td></tr>
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These wild geraniums came from my mother's garden almost 20 years ago. They return each year to wave to me like tiny purple flags in mid-May.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon Fern </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bugleweed</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chives</td></tr>
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Over in the herb patch, chives flower and add some color to a sparse -looking area. <br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Columbine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iris Getting ready for next week!</td></tr>
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One of the joys of an established garden is seeing the return of old friends each year. Many of my plants were chosen because they are reliable and hearty. I have no patience for fussy flowers that require an undo amount of pampering. <br />
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-43950400258706771732014-05-11T20:55:00.000-04:002014-05-11T20:55:19.278-04:00May Day, May Day, May Day!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
May is FINALLY busting out all over the place! My garden is alive again , with green growth and the soft colors of spring flowers. The delicate woodland flowers and buds that are unfurling everyday are perfect for taking close-up photos.<br />
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As I experiment with more and different settings on my camera, I rarely use the <b><i>auto</i></b> anymore. I am starting to use the macro setting and gradually I'm teaching myself to adjust the other settings as well. I think my images are getting sharper. <br />
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The joy and beauty of digital photography is being able to shoot 60 photos, go home, load them into the computer and see them immediately. Even if one deletes 59 photos and has one keeper, it is worth it. <br />
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Here are some shots I took over the weekend in my garden. Not bad for an old dog learning new tricks!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicate Daphne</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferns unfurl (I love these!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Geranium bud</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Hello Sunshine, this is Hosta."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUoAgW4LAzZxr_pjyLCFZxWlFtWe9TdYHFDAV8q57gfWGeBS2vJ2zBbIgIph5qbs9-rqYiVBzdXjGf3VglPGirZirYjP-_3QyMr_nzwQrkLYCer61HQfqHq2jF76zc0EyDCtU6g3OvNA/s1600/IMG_3047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFUoAgW4LAzZxr_pjyLCFZxWlFtWe9TdYHFDAV8q57gfWGeBS2vJ2zBbIgIph5qbs9-rqYiVBzdXjGf3VglPGirZirYjP-_3QyMr_nzwQrkLYCer61HQfqHq2jF76zc0EyDCtU6g3OvNA/s1600/IMG_3047.JPG" height="640" width="514" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solomon's Seal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoCrtj5zYoKMjC-8LK5BMTmdlAdmkM6o23YsLTMr-ENpMN85F4-WY4xDaDz6TwYeoYRcASeHuoS8DC6lMzlm80kpk-4m54ZPjArfKCMbasiaxIePfwpg6ngy8FVL7toeHsUlhPfG12Cg/s1600/IMG_3055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEoCrtj5zYoKMjC-8LK5BMTmdlAdmkM6o23YsLTMr-ENpMN85F4-WY4xDaDz6TwYeoYRcASeHuoS8DC6lMzlm80kpk-4m54ZPjArfKCMbasiaxIePfwpg6ngy8FVL7toeHsUlhPfG12Cg/s1600/IMG_3055.JPG" height="490" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Japanese Painted Fern</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8Wqexo1GGCBupWtm1rtcqD7lyw9A1Tv1FWlCzEdOunMxEcKQkf2xSsxKcrbfBLx0Jl5ahPJ3hwoVNHCM-JC1m6apFmiGcCpfGAqWBq71VGjQaCn9eDUR177exRGANUWhUvrNEQKp3CM/s1600/IMG_3060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8Wqexo1GGCBupWtm1rtcqD7lyw9A1Tv1FWlCzEdOunMxEcKQkf2xSsxKcrbfBLx0Jl5ahPJ3hwoVNHCM-JC1m6apFmiGcCpfGAqWBq71VGjQaCn9eDUR177exRGANUWhUvrNEQKp3CM/s1600/IMG_3060.JPG" height="452" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late blooming Daffodils</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIjb6VVlq6tC-XLvvOMxzDjJ__dZPDV8WO-2JcdX9wYB8UDOBBveGgCEuU4VOZBhLh9x3aWPGDlGP1GilWOiQGmU402deaFuxDKqtsWvjLqTy1BJpWtUYzshymw-Gcpfnf5IApoL3G8s/s1600/IMG_3064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIjb6VVlq6tC-XLvvOMxzDjJ__dZPDV8WO-2JcdX9wYB8UDOBBveGgCEuU4VOZBhLh9x3aWPGDlGP1GilWOiQGmU402deaFuxDKqtsWvjLqTy1BJpWtUYzshymw-Gcpfnf5IApoL3G8s/s1600/IMG_3064.JPG" height="452" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forget-me-nots<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">There is nothing more beautiful than May in New York. Oh wait, there's June, July, August, September and October too! (November and April aren't bad either)</span></i></div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-50962890338036099392014-05-08T20:02:00.000-04:002014-05-08T20:02:07.459-04:00Blessed Be These Hands<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: left;">Blessed Be These Hands, Blessed Be These Voices</span></h4>
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Happy Nurses Week! This is the third year I have posted this. </div>
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Bl<span style="font-size: 22px;">essed Be These Hands....</span></h3>
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Nurses' Week begins on May 6th and ends with Florence Nightingale's birthday on May 12th. It is a time to honor nurses and , for that matter, all caregivers who fulfill the role of nurse.</div>
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I have been blessed to know many, many wonderful nurses in my lifetime. Some taught me to use my hands, my heart and my head to minister to the sick. Some worked along side me, encouraging, supporting, nurturing me through my career. Some became my closest friends, forming a special bond forged in the fire of our challenging profession. Some cared for family members and brought healing to them and when healing was no longer possible, they comforted my loved ones. Someday, I have no doubt, nurses will care for me with kindness and compassion when I am in need of their special healing touch.</div>
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John O'Donoghue, an Irish poet, suggested in his book, <i style="font-weight: bold;">To Bless the Space Between Us, </i>that we don't need a minister or a priest to invoke a blessing. We can and should bless one another. In honor of all the nurses who minister daily to the old, the young, the terminally ill and all recovering bodies and souls, I offer this blessing. It is part of the American Holistic Nurses Association's yearly celebration, to be held this year on May 12 at 12 noon and called '<b><i><a href="http://www.ahna.org/Home/EventsCalendar/NightingaleMoment/tabid/2337/Default.aspx" style="color: #9c4695; text-decoration: none;">The Nightingale Moment.'</a></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: OfficinaSans; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-family: OfficinaSans; font-size: small; font-style: italic;">Nurses’ Hands</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: OfficinaSans; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="line-height: 1.4;">Blessed be these hands that have touched life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.4;">Blessed be these hands that have felt pain.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.4;">Blessed be these hands that have embraced with compassion.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.4;">Blessed be these hands that have been clinched with anger or withdrawn in fear. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: OfficinaSans; font-size: small; font-style: italic;">Blessed be these hands that have drawn blood and administered medicine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: OfficinaSans; font-size: small; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4;">Blessed be these hands that have cleaned beds and disposed of wastes.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: OfficinaSans; font-style: italic; line-height: 28px;"><span style="line-height: 1.4;">Blessed be these hands that have anointed the sick and offered blessings. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: OfficinaSans; font-size: small; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4;">Blessed be these hands that grow stiff with age.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: OfficinaSans; font-style: italic; line-height: 28px;"><span style="line-height: 1.4;">Blessed be these hands that have comforted the dying and held the dead. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: OfficinaSans; font-size: small; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.4;">Blessed be these hands, we hold the future in these hands.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: OfficinaSans; font-style: italic; line-height: 28px;"><span style="line-height: 1.4;">Blessed be our hands for they are the work of Your hands, O Holy One. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: OfficinaSans; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: OfficinaSans; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: OfficinaSans; font-size: 16pt; font-weight: 700;">The Nightingale Moment, May 12 Blessing of the Hands </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: OfficinaSans; font-size: 10pt;">On May 12, 2000 at 12 noon after a moment of silence AHNA members Mary Gorka, RN, CHTP, Charlottesville, Virginia networker and Cindy Westley, RN, MSN, HNC, University of Virginia Medical Center, Community Services Coordinator, along with Joan Murray, Chaplain at UVA, and a former nurse at the Medical Center of the University of Virginia gave a local blessing of hands to nurses. That year, other Chaplains joined in to lead a wonderful effort in support of nursing. This tradition has been continued each year as way to celebrate the Nightingale Moment and honor the spirit of holistic nursing. Copies of the blessing were given to those who attended the ceremony to take back to their units to extend the blessings. The blessing is a responsive reading, leader says one line, the group the next. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: OfficinaSans; font-size: 10pt;">This Blessing of the Hands is from In Praise of Hands, Diann Neu, Waterwheel, Winter 1989. Adapted by Corlette Pierson, Pastoral Care Resident at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, Chicago, IL. This Blessing of the Hands may be copied and used for Nightingale Moment activities, but is not intended to be sold. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: OfficinaSans; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: OfficinaSans; font-size: 10pt;"><br /></span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: OfficinaSans;"><b><i>Thought For Today : I am thankful for all the wonderful nurses with whom I have shared my life's journey and I pray for and remember them in a special way this week.</i></b></span><br />
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-56756372706133840932014-04-12T16:16:00.000-04:002014-04-12T16:16:26.715-04:00April Gifts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This morning I woke up at 5:50 AM and stumbled out to the sunroom to watch the sun come up. It was still quite dark and the first thing I noticed was the bright morning star still twinkling in the fading darkness. I heard (a very early) wren singing at the top of it's joyful lungs. Grabbing my first cup of tea, I had a few minutes to enjoy the silence of dawn and count my blessings. </div>
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Within a few minutes one of my most delightful blessings came out to join me. My 9 month old grandson was wide awake and gurgling with that early morning joy that babies always seem to have. He and his parents have been staying with us since shortly after Christmas and they are set to move into their new home in time for Easter, so my days of seeing him every day are numbered and more precious than ever.</div>
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Since this was Day 2 of spring-like weather, I grabbed my camera and went to inspect the garden after MG left for his first nap of the day. (How blessed is he?) The early morning light brought a soft glow to the trees that surround my yard and I can almost hear the new buds setting themselves free, at long last.</div>
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I found evidence that the peonies survived the winter, their gangly red heads poking through the recently softened earth.<br />
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The Siberian scilla, my favorite shade of blue, have been blooming for a few days but they looked especially handsome in the sunlight this morning.<br />
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My spring hunt for signs of life turned up a few Solomon's Seal, one of the hardiest plants around. It is a woodland wild flower which will spread nicely in the shade.<br />
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Yesterday there was no yellow in the whole yard, but today----LET THERE BE SPRING !!! The daffodils have opened, there is yellow everywhere and all is right with the world!</div>
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We are moving our herb garden this spring which entails digging up a new garden. The old spot has grown too shady in the past few years (perfect for the patio I envision) so the herbs are moving into the sun. My sweet digger plans to begin this project soon. I'll keep you posted. <br />
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-69472638695156161222014-03-31T16:22:00.000-04:002014-03-31T16:22:04.681-04:00Two Years Old And Still Living In The Moment!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So, guess what? The Healthy Nut is two years old! My first post, went live on March 30, 2012. Since then I have written over 200 posts here.<br />
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As I reread my original post about what was important to me in 2012, I realized that the act of making that list at the outset (<a href="http://barbarathehealthynut.blogspot.com/2012/03/getting-started.html"><i>Welcome to the Healthy Nut</i></a>) was instrumental in keeping me on track---with my life as well as with the blog. Writing helps me figure out what I am thinking.<br />
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My goal to establish a consistent writing practice has been realized. I am writing poetry everyday. Along with a new-found interest in making art in conjunction with my poems by digitally manipulating some of my photos, this daily practice brings great joy and many gifts into my life. It is amazing to (re)discover an interest that was long dormant and begin to 'play' with art materials again. Is this what is meant by a second childhood? I hope so. My poems have found a home here -<i><a href="http://wabisabipoet.wordpress.com/"> Wabi Sabi---poems and images</a></i>.<br />
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In the past four years, since retiring, I have completed a formation program in <i><a href="http://www.sdiworld.org/find-a-spiritual-director/what-is-spiritual-direction">Spiritual Direction</a>.</i> I have grown and continue to grow into this ministry in ways that are not easy to articulate.<br />
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Spending time in contemplative prayer nourishes me as I try to carry the love and compassion I receive from a merciful God with me throughout the day. I look for God in all things, and often find evidence of this Creator in the natural world around me. Whenever I have the opportunity, I take photos of these grace-filled moments. I post these meditations on another site, which is a rather new project, still evolving. If you want to peek at that journey or come along with me, you can find my meditations here: <i><a href="http://barbaragkaufmann.wordpress.com/">Take Off Your Sandals</a></i>.<br />
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As for this blog, as you can see, I have given it a bit of a cosmetic make-over for spring. I will continue to post here willy-nilly and write about the things that bring me joy and contribute to my healthy outlook on this second half of my life. <br />
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My family, especially my husband, children and grandchildren, gardening, photography, hiking in the woods and at the beach, looking for birds, growing and using herbs for health and seasoning, reading, exercising and staying healthy.....all of these activities as well as updates on the adventures of Amma and Pappa, will continue to receive attention on these pages.<br />
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This morning, it was raining at six AM, hailing at seven. By eight it had started to snow. We had an inch of slushy snow on the ground by ten. Now,(3 PM) the snow is gone, the sun is out and the temperature is heading for 50. Which only proves one thing. Life can change at a moment's notice. Why not embrace whatever comes and discover the joy in it?<br />
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March 31 AM</div>
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March 31 PM</div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take Away - Accept whatever comes, with open arms.</span></div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-2405578884662249312014-03-15T17:36:00.002-04:002014-03-15T17:36:34.461-04:00Crow Moon Haiga<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<i>Northern Native American tribes referred to the full moon of March as the Crow Moon. The crows were heard again after the long silence of winter and this always heralded spring.</i><br />
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-24006075219220702272014-03-11T01:42:00.001-04:002014-03-11T01:45:24.147-04:00Birds of a Feather...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Last weekend, we decided to get outdoors to walk a few miles. The air was finally warming up and, though spring was still not in the air, Saturday was a gorgeous day. We headed for West End Beach to walk the dunes and look for the snowy owls that have been sighted along the south shore all winter.<br />
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We walked out to the jetty along the fishermen's path and then meandered along the jetty toward the western edge of Jones Beach where the ocean meets the inlet. It was windy and the surf was quite rough. <br />
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This area is fairly remote in winter and we only passed one or two other walkers. As we approached the point, I noticed a large flock of birds at the water's edge. They looked like sandpipers from a distance. The birds were in 'formation,' all facing into the wind - south west.<br />
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There must have been hundreds of them all standing on one leg with their heads tucked back out of the wind. I crept closer and closer to grab a few photos and I could hear their chattering noises. The tide was coming in and after a few minutes, they took off all together and flew back and forth in front of me.<br />
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Each time they approached where I was standing they parted momentarily into two groups, rejoining one another over the ocean and returning to the beach together to land. They did this several times and each time I felt like I was part of the flock, being completely surrounded by them. <br />
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Another birdwatcher, who arrived as we were leaving the area to head for the dunes to see if we could glimpse a snowy owl, told us these long beaked shore birds are called dunlins, a common bird in our area, although not one that we are familiar with.<br />
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He also pointed out a group of birders on the dunes who were observing a snowy owl. We walked toward that spot on the beach, some distance from where we were, and caught a glimpse of the snowy owl as it took off, still quite far from us. We missed a close-up of it, but did enjoy the flock of dunlins, if that is what they were.</div>
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The sun was extremely bright and I had some difficulty focusing my camera due to the light. I can not see the settings in bright sunlight. These photos aren't great but they are what I got and they will remind me of how it felt to be surrounded by a flock of graceful birds on Saturday afternoon in winter!</div>
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Does anyone know if these are dunlins?</div>
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3161861959181130253.post-55969405676227673672014-02-28T16:07:00.000-05:002014-02-28T16:08:14.959-05:00Doesn't Everyone Belong to a Book Club?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I love to read. And it has always been that way. Some of my fondest memories of childhood involve trading Nancy Drew mysteries with my friends or curling up to start a new book after the book mobile visited our neighborhood. I took my love of reading with me throughout my life journey. There is no doubt about it, books have taken me to places I could never have gone without them. <br />
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Several years ago, my daughter and I decided gather a few friends each month for a book discussion. We each invited a few friends who liked to read and soon we had a book club. Our members range in age from 35 to 73.<br />
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Now, almost seven years later, we number 15. We meet once a month, rotate houses, and, we actually DO discuss the book!<br />
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All but two of the original twelve members are still active in the group and we have a good turn-out each month.<br />
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Here are some of our secrets to success if you are thinking about starting a book club.<br />
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** Invite people of different generations to join. Having women from several different age groups has added an interesting element to our discussions and stimulated conversations we would not have had without the age diversity.<br />
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** Decide on a time and date for meetings and keep to the schedule. For example, we meet on the second Tuesday of each month - no exceptions. This eliminates the need to constantly decide on a day and time when everyone is free.<br />
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**Wine.<br />
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** Allow for socializing at the beginning of the meeting, followed by the book discussion, followed by more socializing and then a wrap-up (about the book) Our meetings run about two and one half to three hours.<br />
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** We meet in someone's house, and with 12 or more members the task of entertaining comes once a year or less. The hostess chooses the book(and the wine)<br />
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** Choose books that stimulate discussion and provoke opinion. <br />
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** Use email to communicate. I send out a reminder about two weeks before the meeting, with the name of the book, and the place where we are meeting. <br />
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** Wine.<br />
<br />
** We have our December 'meeting' in a restaurant to celebrate Christmas and another year of reading. At the Christmas dinner, we discuss our favorites from the previous year and vote on the top book of the year. We begin to plan the coming year and some years we do a book exchange. Everyone who wants to participate brings a book that they have read and liked for a grab bag.<br />
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Some of our favorite books and the discussions that resulted were:<br />
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<i>'Unbroken</i>' by Laura Hillenbrand<br />
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'<i>One Thousand White Women</i>' by Jim Fergus<br />
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<i>'Kite Runner</i>' by Khaled Hosseini<br />
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'<i>Room</i>' by Emma Donoghue<br />
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'<i>Still Alice</i>' by Lisa Genova<br />
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'<i>Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks</i>' by Rebecca Skoot<br />
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'<i>Book Thief</i>' by Markus Zusak<br />
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<i>'The Secrets of Mary Bowser</i>' by Lois Leveen<br />
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'<i>Poisonwood Bible</i>' by Barbara Kingsolver<br />
<br />
<i>'The Paris Wife</i>' by Paula McLain<br />
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At our next meeting, we are discussing a book called 'What Alice Forgot,' a story about a young woman who forgets the previous ten years of her life. I can hardly wait to talk about it!<br />
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Do you belong to a book club?<br />
<br />
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Barbarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13843100240748270890noreply@blogger.com2