Goose Island State Park

It is a beautiful day, with sunny skies and a light breeze, and we are late getting away, so decide to stick close to home in our explorations. Goose Island State Park fits the bill. Just north of where we are staying, the park lies on the coast between the waters of Aransas and St […]

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Hans & Pat Suter Wildlife Refuge

“What kind of camera is that?” “A Nikon.” “What are you doing?” “Taking pictures of the birds. Do you like birds?” “Yes. Which ones?” Our inquisitor is no more than five, a tiny boy in blue windbreaker, jeans and running shoes. He climbs atop a wooden bench to get a better look. “Whoa, there are […]

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An Invitation

It’s Christmas Eve, if you are a celebrating Christian, or an adoptee of the holiday. For some, it is a time of last minute rushing about, for others, celebration, and, if you are like me, it is a time of quiet relaxation. Whatever your practice or affiliation, I wish you peace and joy. No challenge […]

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V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #28: Recipe

This time of the year, I find myself perusing recipes – looking for the perfect gluten-free dessert, or a new appetizer to take to a potluck, or maybe an easy way to use up leftovers.   I am also concocting a recipe for the perfect get together – imagining the ingredients and timing for holiday […]

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Unintentional

The excitement of travel, friends visiting, and the overabundance of photo opportunities has left me exhausted.  Yesterday was the first day in four that I ventured outside briefly.  So much for intentionally practicing peace. I feel a bit like a dog chasing its own tail – so much I want to do and see, yet […]

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A Decision

 Despite flash flood warnings the rain has subsided without too much fuss.  We are waiting on the arrival of friends from back home, and having tidied up, I decide to take advantage of the break in weather and put my camera to use. I step outside just in time to see a cormorant swim by. […]

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Happiness is…

… every day that I’m able to get out of bed,and even better, get out of the house… …a river nearby, and a camera with whichto capture the glorious gifts of nature… …the love that flows between generations,the wicked freedom of being a grandparent… … the blessing of travel, and the discoverythat enables ongoing learning…. […]

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V.J.’s Weekly Challenge #26: Titles

In the late 1980’s, I began to study the psychology of dream interpretation as offered by our local university.  One of the exercises our professor recommended when doing dream work, was to give each recorded dream a title, and then periodically list those titles, in order, to elicit new understanding. The assumption behind the exercise […]

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RV-Able: 600 Miles From Home

The cold is unrelenting, and sleep does not favour us this first night out, so at 4:00 a.m. we decide to take advantage of Walmart’s 24-hour service and get some groceries.  The sight of food stirs hunger and from there we find an all night Denny’s and order an early breakfast. That Ric is overtired is […]

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RV-Able: Here We Go Again

4:15 a.m I am wide awake, my head full of what needs to be done before we  set out on our next adventure.  Ric is sleeping soundly, so I quietly close the bedroom door behind me and set about my business. Outside the wind howls and as if in response, my right hip aches.  Yesterday […]

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