1000 feet / 1000 steps

solo post - L, Canon / Nikon

Do you remember in 1970 tightrope walker, Karl Wallenda, walking across the 1000 ft deep Tallulah Gorge performing two headstands in midair as he crossed? This is where I went on Saturday. Why we chose one of the hottest days of the year to make this hike I'm not quite sure. Going down the 345 steps to the suspension (swinging) bridge wasn't so bad. From here I could see the raging Hurricane Falls - a fall that has a 96 ft drop. But we wanted to get a closer view so we descended another 200 odd steps to the floor of the gorge only to find that we needed a permit to cross the river and continue downstream to the Bridal Veil Falls where you can slide down rocks into pools of water. Jumping from rock to rock to cross the river looked inviting and fun but I wasn't sure I wanted to pay a steep fine for breaking the rules. Still is was a beautiful site. After some picture taking and video footage we climbed back up – made it thanks to the cooling rain and many breathers along the way. BTW, my legs are pretty sore today. What sort of activity filled your weekend?

suburban / urban

L - Nikon / T - Canon

"If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive." ~Eleonora Duse

the simple beauty of nature can be found no matter where you live

lounge /recline

T - phone pic selfies

You'd think by looking at these photos that all they do is laze about, but it's not true. (well it's true for the cats). But not T. In fact one of the reasons I have been so slack about posting these last few weeks is because T has been working on my computer much of the time. She has a freelance job designing CD covers and I have to say I am very impressed with her work. When she's not working at the computer she's working very hard outside doing landscape work with her father or helping my dad out in his yard by cutting the grass, edging, etc. She's a very diligent worker – but she also knows how to relax - and that's a good thing too. right?

Hope your summer is filled with many relaxing, lazy days.

sunlight / daylight

L - Nikon / T - Nikon

“Cheerfulness keeps up a kind of daylight in the mind, filling it with a steady and perpetual serenity” - Joseph Addison

bunny / rabbit

solo post - L, Nikon

Sorry for the blurry photos - poor lighting and trying to shoot quick.

Well Taylor's kitty has awakened from her timid beginnings - she's a little rascal and quite funny to watch. And I'm glad to say she and Kodi are getting along just fine. They sleep along- side each other by day and chase each other by night. But last night that crazy cat jumped on the counter and up on top of the refrigerator and down behind it - trapped until I finally found, with Kodi's help, where the distressed call was coming from. I had to move the refrigerator out away from the wall, in order to set her free. I hate to think what would have happened if she had done this when I was away. / We have another little trouble maker about. Imagine this cute little bunny rabbit being so naughty. He's eating the daisies down to the ground.

does anyone have a trick for keeping cats off counters and bunnies out of the flower garden?

uplifted / inspired

solo post - L, Nikon

Today was another glorious day. It started out with a uplifting church service. My parents invited me to go to First Baptist of Atlanta with them this morning and, wow, what a magnificient service it was - from the uplifting music to the down-to-earth, but powerful, sermon. It's been a long time since I have felt so enlivened after a service. I have been going to the same church since I was 10 yrs old and have been used to our smaller, more intimate church. I had never really thought I would enjoy one of the mega churches but it was actually very moving to be in such a "big" church . We're planning on visiting there the first Sunday of every month now.
The afternoon was filled with admiring, and being inspired by art at a local art festival - Summerfest in Virginia Highlands. I saw many things I wanted - and I got a couple of them. One was a handblown drinking glass and another was a ring I felt I had to have. It's a tiny pinky ring with the words "paint masterpieces" imprinted around it. I took a rest in the shade with a bowl of mango sorbet, listening to music and people watching. To top the day off I sat in a shady brick patio surrounded by blooming crepe myrtles streamed with tree lights and ate the most delicious meal – Mista salad which had salad greens, fennel, tomatoes with a very wine vinergette, and a pizza with shoestring potatoes, shoestring zucchini, pinenuts, gorgonzola cheese and pesto - oh my goodness! / Taylor's still in Athens but doesn't have her computer there so no photos from her today. She's looking for a good place to get moving boxes cheaply - trying to get a jump on some packing.

What fun filled your weekend?

fire / water

L - Nikon / T - phone

Today was a enjoyable day. Started out with coffee, and a Nutella and Banana Crepe at our local market. The market is new in our area and I am so excited about it. I love walking around and sampling all the jellys, breads, pastas, honey, fresh yogurt and mozzarella, etc. All so tasty and fresh. Today I sampled some lemon buttermilk sorbet and on this hot day is sure was refreshing. I bought some Lavender mint soap and also a big lavender plant (for only $4). Next week I'm thinking I'll buy a blueberry bush to put in a planter on my deck. I love the idea of gathering just enough blueberries for my cereal or scones in the morning. From the market I went down to one of the many Chattahoochee River parks in our area and stood at the waters edge and watched as 5 dogs romped and splashed in the water - they were having the best time. I should have taken Evee with me. After a relaxing morning I decided to wash my windows inside and out (on the lower level). That's a hard job and even when you think you have them perfectly clean, the late afternoon sun shines through and you realize you didn't get them so clean after all. I also dug a holes for some plants, but realized I didn't have any planting soil. (on the list for tomorrow). As the sun was starting it's slow fade I sat outside with a new book and read until the mosquitoes sent me indoors - I was hoping the candle burning would keep them away. Hope you're day was as sweet as mine. / Taylor went to Athens for the weekend. She said she spent a relaxing day by the pool.

T didn't originally have a photo but she chose this one late last night. Is it ok that I then changed mine?

blue skies / red tops

solo post - L, Nikon

...a red head in a black feather top and a black feather bird on a red top

road tripping

L - iphone / T - iphone

Well it wasn't a true 'road trip' where you take the back roads, having no agenda and stopping whenever something catches your eye - we love those kind. But it was a nice and relaxing trip. We went down to Pensacola to visit Taylor's grandparents and that is like a plush holiday - eating at great restaurants and chillin by the poolside eating watermelon. The weather cooperated with us - it rained and thunderstormed each morning and in the middle of each night but was nice during the day - perfect - the sound of rain to lull us to sleep and sun in the day to play. It sure was nice to have the extra day off for Memorial Day. Hope you had an enjoyable holiday. I'll post more later.