Saw this on FB.

THERE IS A STORY LINE HERE - BUT SINCE I DON'T SPEAK BIRD - NOT SURE WHAT IT IS

Does this "speak" to you?

WHEN THEY ALL DANCE - IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL

BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS EVE SUNSET YESTERDAY FROM THE MOUNTAIN

These below were taken when we were first coming up the mountain from down the hill.  It was a beautiful day yesterday - never did make it to where we planned on going because we didn't take into account the fact that traffic on a Christmas Eve in Southern California is crazy.  We went instead, to Redlands where we had a nice meal and walked around a bit.  We will go to the Mission maybe this next week.

SO MANY REASONS TO BE THANKFUL FOR THE SEASON AND THE COMING NEW YEAR

But before I share them

I will be leaving to spend some time on a mountain top, will visit a mission that will be all sparkled up for Christmas, will make sure I stroll along a favorite path by a lake which i haven't been to in awhile - and in general - will make my Christmas Eve day a beautiful day.  I might be getting a late start - but I want to time the Mission when the lights are on and it is  getting dark.

But - here are some reasons.

Starting with purely imaginative desires.  (And couldn't find a source to reference for the pic)

I would love to spend a Christmas Eve in an environment like this someday but if that never happens  I love that others share photos of such beauty.

What is so wonderful about life - is we can imagine anything and sometimes dreams do come true.

And another material desire - ...I just have to own a chair like this some day.  It will sit in the middle of my house - for all to see - with a sign that says Only Sandy Sits Here.  It may be selfish but ..it's my dream.

I am so thankful for the rare times that such a divine setting opens up before my eyes and I have my camera with me.  I know I posted this already but for 2014 it is my very favorite photo.

I am thankful for Big Bear Zoo which  is a santuary and rehabilitation center for these gorgeous birds.  I had a wonderful time there this last year and hope to visit again soon.

At the time we were there I adopted a wolf named Spirit - financial adoption not for real, lol)...

I am thankful for cute little finches - the very first birds I ever photographed this photo always reminds me of the first year I got into birding which was in 2007.

Can't forget in looking back this year how I made sure during one of my trips to the central coast I made a stop to see the Arroyo grande Roosters who walk about town  - or rather strut about town as if they own the place

 I am thankful for the internet - Wonderful videos, wonderful images and I get lost in them and spend way too many hours finding magical scenes to enjoy.

My thankfulness always includes my grandkids and always thankful for  cake.

 Due to the abundance of sweet videos that show animals in all sorts of experiences and cuteness and loving actions or adorably funny antics, I have really expanded my awareness of how all creatures feel fear at times and I find my compassion for these little beings overflowing.  A few years back I was in Sedona and in an outside structure with open walls - It was a place to stop and look at a map that identified the mountains around the area - i happened to look up and saw this little mouse perched on a wood beam.  I can't help but think he was hoping to go unnoticed.  I even became fond of rodents (in videos) that is and thankful for their adorable ears.

I am thankful for the amount of motivating images I find on facebook.

Some of my favorites...

And...then there is Vincent.  Samsung came out with this incredible image and I am thankful for brilliant artists.

I am thankful for all of you who visit and I feel I know a little about you and your families - I hope you have a wonderful Christmas tomorrow.

I will continue my thankfulness up until New years - ..meaning I will post my reasons to always be thankful.

I pray life blesses you all in the coming year.

ALL THE GRANDKIDS SOME WHO I WON'T SEE for CHRISTMAS

But love them to the moon and back.  Laura - this is a larger version than what I posted at FB. 

POSTING THIS BECAUSE I LOVE IT!

I've always liked Alan Watts - love his voice also - and the song and images put together makes for such an interesting video - one feels such a part of the whole when watching this.  Lyrics are below the video but it's nice to see the video's images.

Books burn and stories will fade
The strength in our arms can't find against change
the wind's tide keeps rumbling on.

Look hard at the thunderous clouds
there's a freedom inside whispering out
Calling you, calling you home

Saying, 'Oh time will pass
and reduce to ash your bones.'
In a lightning flash what fills the gap?
of when it hits and when you know?

Facts hold your feet to the ground
mind wanders off chasing the sound
of the storm cloud that whispered of home.

From in between the truth and what we see
the thunder calls out what we choose to believe
echoing the size of our world.

Oh time will pass
and reduce to ash our bones
In a lightning flash, what fills the gap?
of what is real and what we know?

BALD EAGLE

We were walking over at the lake when something happened that I've been trying to do for 14 months, since we moved in here.  That something is get a photo of the two or three  Bald Eagles that we knew hung around up here.  We have seen people out with their digiscopes set up attempting to get photos.

I have seen them up in the sky but my camera isn't capable of capturing them so far away.

Finally the other day Mike pointed to one that was flying and I did get a few photos in flight.  When he landed on a tree very high up I was doubtful I could get a clear enough pic.  We must have waited for 10 minutes while I kept clicking photos and finally got him doing something other than sitting very still.  I got several photos of him changing position but this one is the best.

Yesterday while Mike enjoyed football I took off and went to Lake Arrowhead hoping to get some sunset photos.

I love the reflections on the water  - so beautiful!

Coming back along rim highway to go home - the wind had kicked up - a cold wind but I managed to get out of the car to get this photo.

It's amazing how many days the clouds bank up against the rim of the mountains and looks like an ocean!  You almost feel as if you could step right out on the clouds.

This is what it looks like at about 5000 feet above the city.  Down below this sky ocean humanity is busy shopping and getting ready for the holidays.

Up here we are just chillin, lol.

a very cool video i hadn't seen before.

and a christmas card i made from a bird drawing i did.

I WENT INTO THE WOODS THE OTHER DAY AT SUNSET

Into the woods we went  - but first a drive on the "Rim" highway in the jeep to get there.  I knew that Strawberry Peak would offer me something scenic, as the sun was setting.  To get to the top you have to go through the woods and then the view opens up.

It was so cold but I had to get out and walk around to get some good views.  I was surprised when from way up high I look down and see the house that I am always taking photos of when we are on Rim highway.  I zoomed in close with the camera and got a few pics of it.

I forgot until I saw the photo of the jeep that Mike put these stickers on the back of the tire during Halloween - I'm glad I saw it so I can remember to ask him to remove them, lol.

Saw this house going down before we got on the rim.

Going back home on the "Rim"

Another Mary Oliver offering... One I really related to.

I go into the woods with Mike and enjoy it - but there are times I go alone and "feel" all that it offers.

“How I go to the woods

Ordinarily, I go to the woods alone, with not a single
friend, for they are all smilers and talkers and therefore
unsuitable.

I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirds
or hugging the old black oak tree. I have my way of
praying, as you no doubt have yours.

Besides, when I am alone I can become invisible. I can sit
on the top of a dune as motionless as an uprise of weeds,
until the foxes run by unconcerned. I can hear the almost
unhearable sound of the roses singing.

If you have ever gone to the woods with me, I must love
you very much.”

I ASKED THE BIRD WHO LANDED AND SPENT TIME AT THE WATERING HOLE

What is it - just what are you trying to tell me.

 I listened but the only thing I heard was go find a quote that speaks to me today.   I did.

 I made a little bird bath out of a deep plate and it sits right outside my window and now can sit at the table and enjoy them. 

i have a few pots of bird seed right behind it so they can eat and then jump down for a drink.

 Such a cute face.

Well most of the time ...except when he looks grumpy or sad or...adorable.

 

 

What a beautiful quote

“You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.
Meanwhile the world goes on.
Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain
are moving across the landscapes,
over the prairies and the deep trees,
the mountains and the rivers.
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air,
are heading home again.
Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,
the world offers itself to your imagination,
calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting –
over and over announcing your place
in the family of things.”

Mary Oliver