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You have found the homepage of the Garden Lady! News pages will fill you in on what's wrong in the world, my aim is to share what is right with the world through my camera. It's a BEAUTIFUL world out there. Life...a blessing, gift and a 'Magical Mystery Tour'.... Come on out and play! May 19, 2013 Things are blooming!  Finally things are settling down a little around here. The retreat is done, some busy times are out of the way and now there is a little breather before relay and my summer retreats. The garden is beginning to grow, and I am having a time keeping up with the weeds. We went to Lowes and got some annuals and I potted them the other day. Next month will be the Garden Tour and while I will not be taking the pictures any more (can't keep up with some things, alas) I may go to see a couple of them if I can, on tour day. Relay is also coming up, and this year I pass the 5 year mark. Another milestone! I have been able to get out and get some pictures and overall, life is so GOOD! April 30, 2013 Finally Spring  We had a cool and damp April, lots of wind also it seems. But I think we are finally into Spring! I have been out with the camera at every available opportunity and God knows, there are ALWAYS opportunities. From the water birds down at the lake, ponds and outlet to the flowers that are beginning to open, it is such a joy to see green grass and color. Last week I spend a few days at Still Point, getting ready for a retreat I am giving in about a week and a half. The quiet time is always so restful and it seems productivity blossoms in those surroundings. Just love these days and how they are getting longer... April 9, 2013 Interesting days!  Would you believe spring is taking its time getting here? Seems like we have had a lot of cool weather and wind. But there is a great distraction down at the lake - at least a pair of bald eagles have been soaring overhead and creating quite a bit of interest. Here is one shot I took, he is usually pretty far off so a lot of cropping is usually in order. Along with the eagles, we have had 4 great blue herons at the outlet. I was lucky enough to get a shot of the 4 of them one evening. Otherwise, things have been busy. I still have to get out and clean up the garden and of course, more than enough in the house to be spring-cleaned. Things are coming alive, and none too soon. March 24, 2013 Last week of March  Still on the cool side out there, and the snow we had is taking it's time melting. Some of the ponds are just beginning to thaw out once again, as in this picture taken at the duck pond at Central Park. But from what I see...by the end of the week and Easter, it should be up to 50. I think I am ready to see some blooms. I did see some snowdrops last week, but they got buried with our last snow. Warmer days are coming, and the birdsong that greets me in the morning tells me that we are close. I still have to see a robin in the yard though. March 21, 2013 Spring...sorta  Welcome to Spring. I am sitting looking out the window at snow that fell Monday night into Tuesday...replacing the snow from the previous week. The weather has been truly "March-like' - unpredictable. Last year it was in the mid 70's but this year we had more snow in a week than in the past month or two. This Easter bunny was someone's playful statement and really brought a smile to my face Tomorrow however, my friend and I will be heading off to the the Flower and Garden Show at Hudson Valley Community College. It will be nice to walk among blooms for awhile. Otherwise, I hope to get a little more on the page. Really. March 5, 2013 Slowly inching towrd spring.  It has been chilly and windy with mostly overcast skies but we have escaped a lot of the snowstorms lately. And since spring is getting closer, our juncos are few and far between and the sparrows are returning en masse. This is the time of year when things can be pretty dull, as far as photography is concerned. I am beginning to long for violets, crocus and trillium...swelling buds on the trees and warming days. But March has always been the "turning point" in my mind...the time when you know that blooms are not that far away. I think I will start getting the spring cleaning done, so that when the really nice weather comes in, I can be OUT! How about you? February 24, 2013 Back from retreat.  Actually, I got back on the 20th. I had the opportunity to attend the 5 day Centering Prayer retreat and I was happy to get back. The last time I went was 2 years ago. The photo above was from the sunset last Sunday night. We have dodged much of the weather that others are getting. I won't complain...this time of year the snow gets grainy and gritty very fast. Do I dare say I am beginning to itch for spring? The winter days have been good for getting my digital files organized. I can't get out like I used to but I still have plenty to keep me busy. This year, I will have to bow out of taking the pictures for the Garden Tour, but will most likely get some sent that I can post here. It is always good to get a fresh eye in there anyway. It was a very good run and I sure saw a lot of great gardens and met so many nice people. And there are still plenty of photo ops all around me. I will be getting things in order for my next pressentation in May...'Living Mindfully...Living Gratefully.' Plus, August will be here before you know it and there are the two retreats at Pyramid. For now, back to the drawing board! February 14, 2013 From me to you.  Have a great one ♥ February 11, 2013 Dodged that bullet.  Despite all the dire warnings, we lucked out in this area and had about 6.5 inches of snow fronm Nemo. We were all preapred, and all through the day and into the evening, I kept up with friends in various parts of the Northeast via Facebook. We had a little snow during the day, then around 9 PM it snowed like mad until around 1AM. Then...it stopped. I won't complain. No sir. Getting ready to head out on a Centering Prayer retreat, and I am really looking foward to it. I went a couple of years ago, and decided it's time to go again. Hubby and co. will hold down the fort. I can't wait! Finally finished getting everything migrated to my new computer and can't get over how fast it is. And it is forcing me to do more sorting and organizing. A bonus, to be sure. February 2, 2013 Something new... Did you miss me? I've been busy ordering a new computer and migrating my files. The old system was 10 years old or more, and now I have a brand new FAST Windows 7 machine. I ordered quickly before it becomes unavailable, as I wanted to be able to use some of my old programs, etc. And they went on without a hitch. I can't get over this! My old machine was xp, my laptop is about 7 years old but I was able to put 7 on it a couple of years ago. Color me happy! January 14, 2013 - Settling in...  It has been warm the past few days, so much so that our snow in the yard is just about gone. While we still had a good cover, I took some pictures of the birds out at the feeders and in this case, the cardinal was waiting on a perch for the other diners to make room. Some colder weather is supposed to return. I would say it may help wipe out the flu that is so rampant but that doesn't seem to make a difference. I know I had most likely a mild flu...I did have the flu shot in October. Seems like everyone is sick. Around the house, I unplugged the small tree out on the front porch, leaving only the candles lit, and they stay on all year. But in the sun room, hubby said maybe we could just leave the other little tree. So, it's still out there, and still lit at night. Why not? January 6, 2013 - A Favorite Prayer I originally posted this prayer in 2009, and felt it would be good to post again. More later, for now Happy New Year! A Prayer for Winter We give thanks for the blessing of Winter; Season to cherish the heart, To make warmth and quiet for the heart; To make soups and broths for the heart. To cook for the heart and read for the heart, To curl up softly and nestle with the heart, To sleep deeply and gently at one with the heart, To dream with the heart, To spend time with the heart, A long, long time of peace with the heart, We give thanks for the blessing of Winter; Season to cherish the heart. Amen Michael Leunig Past Entries - The Archives. |