tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14185044750637968462024-03-13T09:53:48.743-04:00Moondance SanctuaryLiving, Loving, & Laughing on the southern coast of North CarolinaMariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-48310170534253082492010-10-20T13:35:00.000-04:002010-10-20T13:35:19.321-04:00Where's My Dinner Woman?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/TL8nsxh21qI/AAAAAAAAA8U/PxytCTVnSFg/s1600/DSC05191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/TL8nsxh21qI/AAAAAAAAA8U/PxytCTVnSFg/s640/DSC05191.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gapi mid shed earlier this summer - doesn't he look scraggly? They shed in clumps like that & much later than the horses. Now it's about time to grow it back. </span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-60529973134302500392010-09-04T12:55:00.000-04:002010-09-04T12:55:06.901-04:00Rebel Loves Melons!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyeMk3c3m3ZmRS2_FWCmIKM1J5xLIN4w7K7Lvww-pSbDgjoKpv-Lt2H6bRJ-mwkOwu496Pow4QnuKfLiaqR4w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm not too sure about his dinner etiquette but I think that's the sound of his gratitude for the good crop we had this year. </span></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-17744555228754098612010-08-28T08:46:00.000-04:002010-08-28T08:46:21.126-04:00Dragonflies<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love dragonflies</span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/THkDPNc5D9I/AAAAAAAAA7U/IDyNpLGNX88/s1600/DSC05024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/THkDPNc5D9I/AAAAAAAAA7U/IDyNpLGNX88/s640/DSC05024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and luckily they love living around our little pond</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/THkDVKJomQI/AAAAAAAAA7c/rxNvO-KXOYc/s1600/DSC05290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" ox="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/THkDVKJomQI/AAAAAAAAA7c/rxNvO-KXOYc/s640/DSC05290.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and resting on our pasture fence.</span></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-62421992284977957902010-06-20T16:30:00.000-04:002010-06-20T16:30:12.161-04:00Birdie Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/TB531sJ61iI/AAAAAAAAA7M/aRUWgs9NKOk/s1600/DSC05125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/TB531sJ61iI/AAAAAAAAA7M/aRUWgs9NKOk/s640/DSC05125.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was the little birdies yesterday and today they are all gone. My cute little babies have left the nest. There were five little hungry ones in there so I'm sure mom is off for a well needed rest and probably a big dinner she gets to keep all for herself.</span><br />
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Verdana;">BTW, can anyone tell me what kind they are from this picture? Mom is a little bird but I never got a picture of her.</span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-31174933582154595262010-06-12T12:54:00.001-04:002010-06-12T13:53:42.325-04:00Motorcycle Birdies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/TBO4v-qC2hI/AAAAAAAAA68/EWLLRFC6cfU/s1600/DSC05084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/TBO4v-qC2hI/AAAAAAAAA68/EWLLRFC6cfU/s640/DSC05084.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The birds have been very creative in where they build their nest this year. I've had them in grooming buckets in the barn and now one has taken up residence in my motorcycle helmet. These items then become off limits to me for the duration but I enjoy sharing these moments with the wildlife more than what I'm missing. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/TBO4ya1OGhI/AAAAAAAAA7E/lhInZzeeUHs/s1600/DSC05086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/TBO4ya1OGhI/AAAAAAAAA7E/lhInZzeeUHs/s640/DSC05086.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mom came in with a worm dangling from her beak while I was taking this video so I made a hasty departure as not to upset her further. I hope later I can get a picture of her. Also this video is not this dark on my computer and I'm still learning the process so does anyone know how to lighten them before or after going to youtube. I wish you could see the detail I see but this is the best I got so far. </span><br />
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<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Vfn6eif2DnE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Vfn6eif2DnE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-67113714469881260942010-06-05T16:28:00.000-04:002010-06-05T16:28:29.577-04:00Mimosa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/TAqvG-CQm0I/AAAAAAAAA6s/rwl5BcVIZXU/s1600/DSC05080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/TAqvG-CQm0I/AAAAAAAAA6s/rwl5BcVIZXU/s640/DSC05080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I noticed today the Mimosa trees are blooming. I spent many hours playing under one in our backyard when I was a little girl. I thought it was the coolest thing to watch it at dusk and see the leaves fold up. The pink blossoms are fascinating as well and I love how they remind me of a tropical rain forest. Oh, they too grow wild here, springing up everywhere and very hardy determined trees as long as we let them choose where to sprout. We did once try to transplant one with no success so now we just let them have their way. I don't have much of a green thumb so I'm very blessed that all these beautiful plants volunteer their presence around our place.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/TAqvT35mXBI/AAAAAAAAA60/DzcU-OEl3GY/s1600/DSC05078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/TAqvT35mXBI/AAAAAAAAA60/DzcU-OEl3GY/s640/DSC05078.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-41957780486922943872010-05-30T14:14:00.000-04:002010-05-30T14:14:05.296-04:00Mischievous Agapios<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last weekend I tried to let the boys graze in the yard for a bit. Rebel really just wanted to eat but Gapi had other ideas.</span> <br />
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<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6Qb2Gw0uGcg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6Qb2Gw0uGcg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am just trying out the video feature on the camera I've had for years and I took this on the fly so excuse the quality. I'll keep practicing so I can get some better videos to post in the future.</span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-91473126616513731832010-05-26T11:49:00.000-04:002010-05-26T11:49:52.969-04:00Little Bit of Heaven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S_sNPDDKhSI/AAAAAAAAA50/OsptjLcEnT0/s1600/DSC04993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S_sNPDDKhSI/AAAAAAAAA50/OsptjLcEnT0/s640/DSC04993.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sure wish you could smell this, it is pure heaven! This bloom is on one of the Sweetbay Magnolias that grow "wild" in our yard. They just volunteer themselves right up around our front yard and I'm blessed by their sweet aroma with no effort on my part. Each time I walk by one I'm drawn in to pause for a moment, breathe deep, and let myself be transported away. At times little drifts of aroma pass by as I sit on the porch or by the pond and I'm always thankful that they chose to plant their roots here and provide us with a little piece of heaven.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">On a side note they are recognized by many names and I call them Swamp Magnolia. My husband interjects each time that they are Sweetbays, I don't think he likes me using "Swamp" when talking about these little beauties. I happen to really like swamps, wetlands, and following little creeks deep into the forest. </span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-83794541928599122192010-05-01T13:45:00.000-04:002010-05-01T13:45:22.058-04:00I Need Help<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Really I do.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S9xnYh6ZASI/AAAAAAAAA5c/2SErU0FSp0I/s1600/DSC04656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S9xnYh6ZASI/AAAAAAAAA5c/2SErU0FSp0I/s640/DSC04656.JPG" tt="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have I told ya'll yet that I've been studying beekeeping. I don't know why this started, little things here and there peeked my interest until I went for it and signed up for a course last fall. I was hooked, they are the most fascinating beings - love them !! The weather turned too quickly into the nasty winter we endured so we didn't get to play with them hands on and I've just recently gone back to do that part of the course. That morning I had a mixture of excitement and nervousness and really wondering what the heck I was doing? Once I was there by the hive I lost myself into the wonder of the bees, the hum, they busyness, the work they do, how their society works, the pure genius of their creation, and they were just so damn cute. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S9xndIYGh-I/AAAAAAAAA5k/aAGozj6r9gE/s1600/DSC04661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S9xndIYGh-I/AAAAAAAAA5k/aAGozj6r9gE/s640/DSC04661.JPG" tt="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now I guess I'll get to the point of where I need help. Seems bees are struggling to survive these days and we are to blame for this weakness. They require more care and you have to go into the hive more than just to <em>steal</em> their honey, but to also keep check for disease, pest etc and each time you inadvertently squish some bees. The instructors have also told me that to maintain strong hives and prevent swarming (bees leaving) among other things I'm gonna have to re-queen periodically which will require me to purposely kill the old queen. As I was <strike>whining </strike>inquiring (more than once) about this the class began to rag me and someone said "you can't name all 60,000 of them". You see I can't kill anything, well except mosquito's, ticks, deer flies and maybe one or two more but they ask for it. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S9xngT4DMJI/AAAAAAAAA5s/ZjJRxXwRccI/s1600/DSC04669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S9xngT4DMJI/AAAAAAAAA5s/ZjJRxXwRccI/s640/DSC04669.JPG" tt="true" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't see wanting to not squish any cute little honey bees as a problem but this morning it hit home that I've got a bit of an issue. We've got fire ants but who doesn't. In the past I've not really done anything about it and they've pretty much stayed off to the side and we've respected each others space. Well recently I had some kids over and while wondering around I kept having to point out mounds to stay away from. Then I began to notice them building new mounds in the middle of the pastures. The final straw was when I found them in my composted manure I wanted to spread back on the pastures and around the yard. I reluctantly bought something to treat the mounds and the directions were to do it early morning when they were active. So this morning I go mound hunting, toxin in hand, and they were busily going about there chores minding their on business as I pour the nasty powder over them and their home. The more I covered the more teary eyed I got .... over Fire Ants, geez. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Yep I'd say I've got a problem ;-).</span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-35417310697129840112010-04-24T11:06:00.001-04:002010-04-24T11:07:20.334-04:00Beach Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S9MAX1EJqfI/AAAAAAAAA5U/DvZXuGSLGsc/s1600/DSC04698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S9MAX1EJqfI/AAAAAAAAA5U/DvZXuGSLGsc/s640/DSC04698.JPG" tt="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just thought I'd share a bit of the ocean with you this morning. This is from one of my office break walks, something I don't do enough of. Sometimes when you have something so accessible you take it for granted, I've got to work on that this year. We are going to a wedding on the beach this afternoon and it's a bit overcast here so keep your fingers crossed for the bride and groom to have lovely weather. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I was at a different beach yesterday, attending a storm water workshop. It was held at Shell Island Resort in Wrightsville Beach. Yes, I have a rough life beach hopping and getting paid - hey somebodies got to do it. It was really nice there at the end of a peninsula. There was a marsh flat in front, the Atlantic Ocean behind with a wide beautiful beach and to the left on the point was an Audubon bird preserve. I spent every break and lunch checking it out (but didn't have my camera). I was a bit bewildered that most of the attendees stayed inside the whole day rather than running out to embrace the salt air then I remembered who they were. This workshop was for storm water issues in high water table areas and they all came from coastal towns. I guess they are like me and also take for granted how beautiful our surroundings are and how precious it is to be exposed to the ocean and it's wonders on a daily basis. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Definitely need to have more water time this summer, hoping the motivation of sharing it with you will get me out there more. Maybe you can nag me from time to time to share a walk through the sand and water. Have a lovely day all and enjoy what's right out your front door. </span></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-27470877918002668082010-04-22T14:13:00.000-04:002010-04-22T14:13:25.228-04:00Happy Earth Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S9B4k-ZMl8I/AAAAAAAAA5M/gLt7SQ5Elak/s1600/DSC03807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S9B4k-ZMl8I/AAAAAAAAA5M/gLt7SQ5Elak/s640/DSC03807.JPG" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">T-Bone invites you to get out and enjoy nature with a friend. Invite them over for a swim or find a trail to walk or bike ride. Breathe deep and enjoy the world around you.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S9B4cuJKWzI/AAAAAAAAA5E/Y6truqBklxc/s1600/DSC02510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S9B4cuJKWzI/AAAAAAAAA5E/Y6truqBklxc/s640/DSC02510.JPG" width="640" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also, remember to recycle or better yet reduce and reuse. Here T-bone is giving instructions on how to just say no, no, no to plastic bottles. He's also doing his part to recycle this one by breaking it down and at the same time demonstrating how you can re-purpose articles giving this bottle a second life as a chew toy. I am raising such earth conscious critters, one day I'll show you how they demonstrate passive solar and geo thermal. Joking aside, there is much to be learned by observing animals and nature. There is even a name for this - biomimicry. Now get outside and find something to mimick ;-). </span></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-73653703364108833352010-04-02T12:59:00.000-04:002010-04-02T12:59:42.152-04:00Santa at the Beach<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn't have my camera so you'll have to take my word for it but I just saw Santa Claus at the post office. He had the typical white curly hair and beard (the real stuff) under a straw hat, a tropical shirt, khaki shorts, and leather sandals. It was so cool I got all giddy. I did have my cell phone but it takes so so pictures and he was intently reading a letter. Besides I didn't know how Santa liked being disturbed on vacation so I chickened out on asking to take a "picture for my blog". I didn't want to risk getting bumped from the nice list come December. </span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-2395552918835179782010-03-31T22:10:00.000-04:002010-03-31T22:10:11.643-04:00Bluebird On My Shoulder Makes Me Happy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6_zMeoFvcI/AAAAAAAAA4E/doGoH07Vtuw/s1600/DSC02928.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6_zMeoFvcI/AAAAAAAAA4E/doGoH07Vtuw/s640/DSC02928.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Robins are the birds that are said to signify that spring has arrived but for me it's the bluebird that does it. Seeing these guys around the yard just gives me that wonderful feeling of bliss that says yes we are done with winter. As I was out working in the pastures this past weekend, with my little bully dog by my side, some bluebirds decided to come join us. I had stopped momentarily from my task and looked back admiring (and being astounded) how good and sweet T-Bone was being just laying there next to the tractor. As I did this three bluebirds flew right over top of him and landed on fence post next to the tractor. Two of them alternated from sitting on the post to flitting about and ... we'll say playing, while the third just sat and watched me. For a moment I drifted off to a fairytale land where we actually could converse and sing together but I know he was really just waiting to see what big juicy tid bit I might unearth for him.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6_zVHO0wBI/AAAAAAAAA4M/PboLnyJsSGc/s1600/DSC03592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" nt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6_zVHO0wBI/AAAAAAAAA4M/PboLnyJsSGc/s640/DSC03592.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course as all this was happening outside my camera was inside. I thought for a second of running to get it but knew the scene would change before I returned so decided to just enjoy the moment as it was happening. The pictures above were taken last spring, the top one at my dad's and the bottom at a friends house here at the beach. </span></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-21920607587326199752010-03-25T21:48:00.003-04:002010-03-26T08:44:43.336-04:00Simple Fun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6wQhw5BLoI/AAAAAAAAA30/EBQ23ceL2Io/s1600/DSC01163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6wQhw5BLoI/AAAAAAAAA30/EBQ23ceL2Io/s640/DSC01163.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who needs to spend lots of money on a gym membership, exercise equipment and expensive "toys". A simple ball on a rope provides loads of fun and exercise.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6q4HBmKo-I/AAAAAAAAA2c/T9lD8WiZ-qM/s1600/DSC01164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" nt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6q4HBmKo-I/AAAAAAAAA2c/T9lD8WiZ-qM/s400/DSC01164.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6q5MgGU2MI/AAAAAAAAA3E/afuf6nREQeQ/s1600/DSC01177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" nt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6q5MgGU2MI/AAAAAAAAA3E/afuf6nREQeQ/s400/DSC01177.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6q5I87EvFI/AAAAAAAAA28/fCD5kkXuryw/s1600/DSC01168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6q5I87EvFI/AAAAAAAAA28/fCD5kkXuryw/s400/DSC01168.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6q5EcXIw6I/AAAAAAAAA20/un-QLejoG6Q/s1600/DSC01174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" nt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6q5EcXIw6I/AAAAAAAAA20/un-QLejoG6Q/s400/DSC01174.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6q5pXdfm9I/AAAAAAAAA3U/EXnZYSQiw-M/s1600/DSC01178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" nt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6q5pXdfm9I/AAAAAAAAA3U/EXnZYSQiw-M/s400/DSC01178.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6q6dSbSdtI/AAAAAAAAA3k/TdNebS_1x0M/s1600/DSC01186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" nt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6q6dSbSdtI/AAAAAAAAA3k/TdNebS_1x0M/s640/DSC01186.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ahhh, sweet exhaustion. The kind that comes from giving something your all.</span></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-85691525394104159212010-03-21T10:53:00.000-04:002010-03-21T10:53:03.179-04:00The Sweetest Boy Ever<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6Yuxawf_OI/AAAAAAAAA1s/WNlZEdw7lnE/s1600-h/DSC02313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6Yuxawf_OI/AAAAAAAAA1s/WNlZEdw7lnE/s640/DSC02313.JPG" vt="true" width="436" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I intended for this blog to be a place to share good times and laughter but even when life is grand a few tears must fall. We lost our beloved C C earlier this week and I never put a post up for him but I still want to introduce this gentle soul to you. The title says it all C C was the sweetest boy ever. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6YtSxiHg7I/AAAAAAAAA1c/lJMPu79Af-8/s1600-h/DSC03365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="580" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6YtSxiHg7I/AAAAAAAAA1c/lJMPu79Af-8/s640/DSC03365.JPG" vt="true" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He was so easy to deal with but underneath I could tell it was not only his natural temperament that made him this way. C C didn't want any hassles and had seemed to learn along the way that it was easier just to go along. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6YvduWh1qI/AAAAAAAAA2E/2jsgIUp6syo/s1600-h/DSC02873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6YvduWh1qI/AAAAAAAAA2E/2jsgIUp6syo/s640/DSC02873.JPG" vt="true" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He had just turned 22 on March 4 and had been with us just short of three years but we had fallen totally in love with him at our first meeting. I was hesitant to get an older horse but once we met him we were hooked. He was always so calm and even tempered, never hesitant or fearful, what some people call a bulletproof horse. Right away we noticed signs that he may have had some hard treatment in his life but we set his mind to rest quickly that with us he would only be treated gently. He came to trust us within a few weeks but still always kept a part of himself a little distant and sheltered. He had outward scars, evidence of possibly being tangled in barbed wire and other injuries but I was sometimes saddened to wonder what had scarred his soul so. Whatever his life had been we decided was to be left in the past and we planned to give him many happy comfortable years at Sweet T. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6YvyNwCHTI/AAAAAAAAA2M/2thJuJdXrc0/s1600-h/Misc+070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="486" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6YvyNwCHTI/AAAAAAAAA2M/2thJuJdXrc0/s640/Misc+070.jpg" vt="true" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He was a beautiful horse, a Line Back Red Dunn Quarter Horse. His mane and tail burgundy against his light orange coat and you can't tell so much from the photograph but his tail had many colors. I often thought that some of the young girls around would be envious of the multi shades of burgundy, wine and even some purplish coloring mixed throughout. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6Yuqq8xaaI/AAAAAAAAA1k/Nz9yHxXM_b4/s1600-h/DSC01699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6Yuqq8xaaI/AAAAAAAAA1k/Nz9yHxXM_b4/s640/DSC01699.JPG" vt="true" width="460" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He also had those gorgeous Quarter Horse muscles which I can imagine were even more stunning in his </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">prime. C C instantly brought a sense of peace and calm to our little farm from the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">moment he stepped foot on the property. We loved him so and he will be dearly missed but I imagine him now in knee deep sweet meadow grass as far as the eye can see. Happy grazing C C.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6YvKKlEH8I/AAAAAAAAA10/lau24Q3X8D0/s1600-h/DSC02348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S6YvKKlEH8I/AAAAAAAAA10/lau24Q3X8D0/s640/DSC02348.JPG" vt="true" width="480" /></a></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-50691468088763084012010-03-06T21:41:00.001-05:002010-03-06T21:44:22.950-05:00Having Fun with Meadow's Drink<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L1q5FQJ6I/AAAAAAAAAz0/4UOMuN9Ucx0/s1600-h/DSC04291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L1q5FQJ6I/AAAAAAAAAz0/4UOMuN9Ucx0/s640/DSC04291.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://savortheday.blogspot.com/">Meadow Linn of Savor the Day</a> had a contest to name a rum and lemon inspired drink. It was too hard to choose that one special name but we had fun trying out several different ones. Here's what we came up with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">The name of the community we live in is Bear Creek, so named after Bear Island just across the waterway. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">If you are not from the beach check out my <a href="http://sweettfarm.blogspot.com/2010/02/queens-creek.html">post about Queen's Creek</a> to see what creeks are like here. You'll see that after you've been out paddling through the creeks and waterways you might want a "Bear Creek Buzz" when you get home. We don't recommend drinking on the water but if you do be responsible and take along a designated paddler.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L25BdeOaI/AAAAAAAAAz8/_Uu6cpdnEfY/s1600-h/DSC04314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L25BdeOaI/AAAAAAAAAz8/_Uu6cpdnEfY/s640/DSC04314.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">For those times you have friends over for a pig picking or oyster roast you might want to serve some "Lemon Drop Tea". You know how we love our tea here in the south.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L3QeFF9lI/AAAAAAAAA0E/Q0Qnp9j_3HQ/s1600-h/DSC04295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L3QeFF9lI/AAAAAAAAA0E/Q0Qnp9j_3HQ/s640/DSC04295.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a long day of dusty trail riding ....</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L5V5kTNzI/AAAAAAAAA0c/xX38XxjRBSY/s1600-h/DSC04326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L5V5kTNzI/AAAAAAAAA0c/xX38XxjRBSY/s640/DSC04326.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...you're surely going to want a glass of thirst quenching "Rummy Yummy" waiting.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L5txd3FuI/AAAAAAAAA0k/-7GVa3Yn7d0/s1600-h/DSC04318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L5txd3FuI/AAAAAAAAA0k/-7GVa3Yn7d0/s640/DSC04318.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When you are having a picnic under clear blue skies or just laying on the grass watching the clouds float by you might want to have a "Meadow Soleil" by your side. This name is in honor of the drink's creator, Meadow, and maybe a little because we live on Meadow Creek.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L4BBSt6FI/AAAAAAAAA0M/x9zcqqTac2A/s1600-h/DSC04337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" kt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L4BBSt6FI/AAAAAAAAA0M/x9zcqqTac2A/s400/DSC04337.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Oops I didn't get to this one while I still had some sunshine but you get the idea.)</div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">When you find yourself on a deserted island you may want to add more spices and then you'll have a "Jamaican Spice" or if you are basking in the sun on one of NC's fantastic beaches add some lime and enjoy a "Caribbean Tart". I'm partial to the latter, but that might be because our last name is Tart.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L4045Ae_I/AAAAAAAAA0U/vXBixkqS2x4/s1600-h/DSC04300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L4045Ae_I/AAAAAAAAA0U/vXBixkqS2x4/s640/DSC04300.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And lastly, while chilling with friends on the back deck, with my husband picking and singing a few Buffet tunes, throw in a lot of different fruit and relax with a "Parrot Island Fruit Juice".</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L7UPS4rAI/AAAAAAAAA0s/2vcrfmEB21E/s1600-h/DSC04307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L7UPS4rAI/AAAAAAAAA0s/2vcrfmEB21E/s640/DSC04307.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Now I know bloggers love recipes and I've wanted to have some here or over at <a href="http://kap-maria.blogspot.com/">KAP</a> but there's one problem - me and cooking, not so much. For Meadow it is a passion so head on over to <a href="http://savortheday.blogspot.com/">Savor the Day</a> to get the recipe for this drink (don't forget to dance) along with lots more fun and food. I may have recipes coming here soon by a guest blogger, so stay tuned. I've been talking about this with my friend Pam who also has a passion for cooking. Maybe <strike>we </strike>Pam can bring some wonderful seafood dishes your way.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">BTW, this drink is really good and Meadow we had so much fun with it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The End</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L8k7CotDI/AAAAAAAAA00/DRNcjiSpf-4/s1600-h/DSC04334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5L8k7CotDI/AAAAAAAAA00/DRNcjiSpf-4/s640/DSC04334.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-29491463194431740312010-03-06T11:53:00.000-05:002010-03-06T11:53:20.822-05:00It's Coming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5HK0nU4rNI/AAAAAAAAAzk/0B1z_2QEno0/s1600-h/DSC04278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5HK0nU4rNI/AAAAAAAAAzk/0B1z_2QEno0/s640/DSC04278.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I noticed today that the beach stores have been stocking up on their summer merchandise. The beach carts are out and the brightly colored chairs are lined up waiting to lift spirits and take their place under the sun.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Then look what else I found, young daffodils with buds ready to burst forth their sunny yellow faces and shout out to the world that spring has arrived.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5HKvRDgRPI/AAAAAAAAAzc/PhASiM_wpEU/s1600-h/DSC04281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S5HKvRDgRPI/AAAAAAAAAzc/PhASiM_wpEU/s640/DSC04281.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each day there are more birds coming to our yard to feast and the weatherman is calling for mid 60's next week with lows in the 40's. Please, please tell me it's here to stay and not just a tease, giving us hope only to dash it a few days later. This past year I have tried to set my mind and my thermostats to stay as aclimated to the changing seasons as possible and for most of this winter I felt I was doing pretty good considering. That is until the last few weeks in which I have felt colder than on the coldest days of January. I feel I have run out of energy to stand against the elements, that enough is enough, so please let this be Spring I see.</span></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-47972911228028817852010-03-02T21:14:00.049-05:002010-03-02T21:31:14.758-05:00Whimsy<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Having an office located at the beach gives you many sights to lift your spirits. There are open acts of whimsy displayed playfully in the yards.</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43Czyuq_zI/AAAAAAAAAx0/oxQhQj1eSig/s1600-h/DSC04250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43Czyuq_zI/AAAAAAAAAx0/oxQhQj1eSig/s640/DSC04250.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43C7x1eftI/AAAAAAAAAyE/ze9JQtgSW7E/s1600-h/DSC04248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43C7x1eftI/AAAAAAAAAyE/ze9JQtgSW7E/s640/DSC04248.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43G9t-eKaI/AAAAAAAAAzE/NNYBIpumxGs/s1600-h/DSC04245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43G9t-eKaI/AAAAAAAAAzE/NNYBIpumxGs/s640/DSC04245.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43DB1asSlI/AAAAAAAAAyU/VV8AtridNnE/s1600-h/DSC04246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43DB1asSlI/AAAAAAAAAyU/VV8AtridNnE/s640/DSC04246.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Signs reminding you of what is important in life.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43C4X5OyPI/AAAAAAAAAx8/1ISXcRF3nks/s1600-h/DSC03092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43C4X5OyPI/AAAAAAAAAx8/1ISXcRF3nks/s640/DSC03092.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are brightly colored facades that always wear happy sunny faces regardless of what the weather may be.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43EOfzMEqI/AAAAAAAAAyc/79Na1KN4wfo/s1600-h/DSC04252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43EOfzMEqI/AAAAAAAAAyc/79Na1KN4wfo/s640/DSC04252.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43EWE8ks0I/AAAAAAAAAyk/uvzpRC4rk3g/s1600-h/DSC04254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43EWE8ks0I/AAAAAAAAAyk/uvzpRC4rk3g/s640/DSC04254.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of them even live out loud.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43EebHD8jI/AAAAAAAAAys/rt90l43Q70E/s1600-h/DSC04247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43EebHD8jI/AAAAAAAAAys/rt90l43Q70E/s640/DSC04247.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We do still have "normal" housing with their greys, tans, and some cozy little white cottages but there is color to be found around every corner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">,</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43IR6CW8BI/AAAAAAAAAzM/WHmvWsBXAHM/s1600-h/DSC04257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43IR6CW8BI/AAAAAAAAAzM/WHmvWsBXAHM/s640/DSC04257.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And this house sums it all up.</span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43EyT_sZlI/AAAAAAAAAy8/3-nbkcsj9iM/s1600-h/DSC04256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S43EyT_sZlI/AAAAAAAAAy8/3-nbkcsj9iM/s640/DSC04256.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-43179569094109084992010-02-27T10:48:00.003-05:002010-02-27T10:51:30.502-05:00Queen's Creek<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S4k_cqP6Q-I/AAAAAAAAAxM/EjiVCla4McI/s1600-h/DSC02375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S4k_cqP6Q-I/AAAAAAAAAxM/EjiVCla4McI/s640/DSC02375.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the creek by our place and yes this is what "creeks" look like when you live at the beach. The morning light and water always mix to create such a dreamy state which makes it very hard to keep driving to work. I just want to pull over each morning, sit on the bank, and just drift away with my thoughts. Of course this would be possible if I got up earlier but ..... This particular morning was just too hard to resist and luckily I had my camera. I love how the clouds are mirrored in the water, calling for all those passing by to come and take a moment to reflect. </span><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S4iFYiaFydI/AAAAAAAAAxE/q1MPCnoy0zo/s1600-h/DSC02380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" kt="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S4iFYiaFydI/AAAAAAAAAxE/q1MPCnoy0zo/s640/DSC02380.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This gives you a look back at the bridge. You can see how they did not span the width of the creek when they built it, but filled in the land on either side. Even though it is wide it is pretty shallow. I'm told it used to be much deeper and when they built up the sides they interferred with the tidal flow which caused it to fill in. Our land is part of an old Pine Tar Plantation and the large vessels used to traverse down this creek to pick up their loads. My husband has a collection of some Ballast Stones that boats would drop off when they picked up the Pine Tar. I love to sit sometimes and imagine all the activity scurring around the plantation and the ships pulling up to the creek bank to be loaded. Just imagine how many people through time have passed this way.</span></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-66194676268020746872010-02-24T16:23:00.002-05:002010-02-24T19:39:40.465-05:00Commute<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S4SUf25rdkI/AAAAAAAAAws/_ocZL5pXk1U/s1600-h/DSC02668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S4SUf25rdkI/AAAAAAAAAws/_ocZL5pXk1U/s640/DSC02668.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a very stressful commute to and from work each day. I have to cross four bridges over three different bodies of water and parallel the Intracoastal Waterway for half the trip. After this I arrive at my office on one of NC's outer islands where sometimes I'm subjected to the sound of the surf if the weather permits the door to be left open. Most of the sunset pictures I have posted on <a href="http://kap-maria.blogspot.com/">KAP</a> have been from one of these bridges on my journey home. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The bridge pictured above is the largest, it spans the Intracoastal of which I cross to get on the island.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S4SUYuJ2yoI/AAAAAAAAAwk/KDM_HvqoDfo/s1600-h/DSC03218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S4SUYuJ2yoI/AAAAAAAAAwk/KDM_HvqoDfo/s640/DSC03218.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And this is what I see from the top of this bridge. Back and forth I go throughout the day, water and salt air all around me. It is tough working conditions but someone has to do it.</span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-39647820089325619302010-02-17T14:07:00.078-05:002010-02-17T14:59:43.628-05:00Calvary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S3w-ZkSuxHI/AAAAAAAAAv4/-CNFKwdYK5I/s1600-h/IMAG0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S3w-ZkSuxHI/AAAAAAAAAv4/-CNFKwdYK5I/s640/IMAG0007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought this was so fun and creative. This isn't my donkey and I didn't get the boys name, but I did ask permission to take his picture so I hope he doesn't mind me posting it here. I took this while at the NC state fair a couple of years ago. We were there for the donkey and mule day we had seen on the equine show schedule. For those that ask "what do you do with them?" well this is one of them. This was a costume competition much like they do with cows, sheep, etc at many fairs. There were other competions with people riding carts including working them through obstacle courses. They were also showing them at hand much like dog shows. My favorite though is coon jumping which looks like reverse limbo. Donkeys and mules can stand flat footed (no running start) right in front of a hurdle and jump it. This used to have (or maybe it still does in some places) a practical purpose. Hunters would use their mules to carry things and when they would get to a fence line in the woods the mule would just bound over it. There were other competions including all the typical horse show events with the riding mules and there were some BEAUTIFUL animals there, I wanted one so bad. That is my dream, to one day have a riding mule. Some women dream of diamonds and fine living, I dream of asses.</span> </div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-10207275157641021472010-02-14T11:21:00.001-05:002010-02-15T21:23:36.858-05:00Salt?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S3ggiC0GAHI/AAAAAAAAAvI/GrNi5vqW4vM/s1600-h/DSC04212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="488" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S3ggiC0GAHI/AAAAAAAAAvI/GrNi5vqW4vM/s640/DSC04212.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just like seeing this ....? riding the roads around here, kind of fun.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S3gg0pPdIBI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/9n8g4rDtdRo/s1600-h/DSC04213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="478" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S3gg0pPdIBI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/9n8g4rDtdRo/s640/DSC04213.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I especially like the license plate - Got Salt. BTW, February 22 is National Margarita Day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">See the snow we had this weekend at the beach over at <a href="http://kap-maria.blogspot.com/">KAP.</a></span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-53749873746457424982010-02-12T20:47:00.002-05:002010-02-12T21:08:57.778-05:00Small Towns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S3X_6XzE-XI/AAAAAAAAAuA/rVkva8koptQ/s1600-h/DSC04209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S3X_6XzE-XI/AAAAAAAAAuA/rVkva8koptQ/s640/DSC04209.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While picking up feed at the local garden/feed store yesterday I got to visit a while with Smokey. Most places you go around here have a resident animal to greet you. Besides Smokey, there is a Calico at the hardware/lumber yard, a Lab at the insurance agency, Fritz the Schnauzer at the surveryors, a Jack Russell that rides around with the most burly construction worker, Labradoodles, Pekingese ..... and oh I can't forget Bonnie a mixed Shepard at the real estate office next door. I get to watch Bonnie take her person out to play catch a couple of times a day in front of my office. She has quite an extensive wardrobe of bandanas. I don't know if this is just a small town thing, the laid back beach lifestyle, or if it's more common than I realize. Do many businesses where you live have animals on staff as well?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Smokey seems wise to nap on the feed bags in case she wants a snack.</span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-79921430795215762632010-02-11T20:24:00.000-05:002010-02-11T20:24:48.144-05:00Meet Agapios<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S3SqhXnZtZI/AAAAAAAAAtw/Zu_GpywXRZA/s1600-h/Misc+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S3SqhXnZtZI/AAAAAAAAAtw/Zu_GpywXRZA/s640/Misc+045.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Agapios is a Mediterranean donkey so named because the breed came to America from the Mediterranean islands of Sicily and Sardinea. His name is Agapios but everyone just calls him Gapi and I sometimes call him Little Man. The name Agapios, which is after the greek word for love, is his registered name given by his breeders. Yes Gapi has papers, he's somebody and if you don't believe me just ask him. I'm sure he does not like me calling him Little Man because in his mind he is The Man. He is pretty full of himself and feels he is the center of all things and without him we have no purpose. Yes he's arrogant but in that cute adorable way, like a little dog running with the big dogs and thinks he is just the same size or bigger.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S3SpxkttDEI/AAAAAAAAAtg/bSTg2nceUlU/s1600-h/DSC02355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="403" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S3SpxkttDEI/AAAAAAAAAtg/bSTg2nceUlU/s640/DSC02355.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He's a sweety though and has stolen my heart along with everyone who meets him and few who have only seen pictures. You can't be around him and not smile or laugh it's just physically impossible. People come here and just watch him even when he's not really doing anything. After a while of smiling and feeling warm just being around him they turn and ask "but what do you do with him?" We are baffled that we get this question over and over, my answer is only "you just did it". I don't know why people think equines are just for riding, we actually enjoy caring for them and seeing them contently grazing as much or more so than riding. Getting back to Gapi, I don't really have any pictures of some of his most fun moments but I'll work on getting some. Also my camera takes video if I'll just try it out and of course then I'll have to learn to get it on the computer and into the blog. Always something to learn. Hopefully I'll be able to capture some moments that will make you laugh or at least give you a warm fuzzy smile.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S3Sp4Yrok9I/AAAAAAAAAto/V_rhFkagX54/s1600-h/DSC02857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="458" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S3Sp4Yrok9I/AAAAAAAAAto/V_rhFkagX54/s640/DSC02857.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1418504475063796846.post-32066061077266521832010-02-08T21:33:00.019-05:002010-02-12T08:39:17.616-05:00Welcome<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S3CoYlDjOmI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/PCt0c-LEkok/s1600-h/DSC02356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kt="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cxtGqzBfXgM/S3CoYlDjOmI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/PCt0c-LEkok/s640/DSC02356.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Welcome to Sweet T Farm and my new blog. <a href="http://kap-maria.blogspot.com/">KAP</a> will still be around and the Kids Awareness Program is still a work in progress but this site is to explore and share other aspects of my life and of me. I have been inspired by visiting some of your blogs and by a few FB friends to write with more joy. I will leave KAP as my place to continue my quest to live mindfully and ask questions while learning not to worry about the answers. I hope you will continue to enlighten me with your comments there as well as here, they have meant so much to me. This blog will be me, unedited, unscripted, and uncensored. Here I want to share where I live, work, and play and I'm hoping through this blog I'll learn to do more of the latter. Sweet T Farm will be a place to walk on the beach, see sunsets and sunrises over the waterway, go along on a horseback ride, and follow along as my critters continue to teach me many life lessons. At this blog I still look forward to your insight but I hope more than that we share smiles and laughter. I would like this to be a place where I can expand more while still keeping it light, a middle ground between FB and KAP. Some days there may be post with or without a photograph, some days just a photograph, and occassionally I may just pop in and say OMG I can't believe I just did that ..... More than likely I'll just meander here and there, finding my way and making it up as I go along, sort of "leaping and building wings on the way down". So come on in, kick off your shoes, and sit a spell. I'll pour you a glass of sweet southern iced tea while we chat a while and share some laughs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: BTW the above picture is not me, that's Rebel the king of all the four legged beings around here (shhhh, don't tell the donkey I just said that).</span> </span>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09675628951190424720noreply@blogger.com4