Sunday, July 31, 2016

Wonderful things to see

All around me, wonderful things to see. In the neighborhoods around us. Places we never drive or look around. I guess maybe at Christmas time, we do. But only after dark. So we can miss a lot.

Like this house. They have obviously put a lot of time and thought into how the front of there property looks.


There were some interesting clouds this morning. And lightning a few times. But it was very far away I think.

There were some busy bees in these flowers. 
And ever favorites of mine, palm trees up against the slowly lighting up morning sky.

And then back home before the sun rises at all, but a stunning sky welcome, none the less.

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Cloudy skies don't slow me down today

Last night, big storms hit the valley. Not so much here, yay! But there was crazy wind and lightning.
So I had no idea what to expect this morning.
Turned out, the sky was full of heavy dark clouds. Wonderful breezes  But no lightning. So off I went.  I went a different direction hoping for a straight on view as the sun comes up. With all the clouds, I knew it would be beautiful. But I was too early, so I had to keep turning around  to see it. 

It was worth it!

I also got a different view of the gecko stone,  all lit up in the dark.
I love this yard. I will have to take pictures of it for a post some time.
In the end, it was a great morning walk.

Friday, July 29, 2016

Thunder and lightning

I was up and so ready to go. Its been a couple days again.
And I was so ready this morning. Opened the door and felt the
humidity. The warm moisture in the air. I had heard the windchimes
blowing. So I knew I would have a nice breeze to walk with. Yay!
I was so ready. But then, I looked up. Lightning. All around me.
From every side. And soft rolling thunder. From everywhere.
Well crap! Dang! Shoot!
I stood there trying to talk myself into going anyway. I mean, the
odds are so long! I do not mind walking in the rain at all.
In fact, I would love it! But the lightning......I know it is most
unlikely that anything would happen. But then, the other day I
read something about more people being struck this summer.
And some friends from back in Illinois had one of those freaky
incidents inside the house. The lightning struck out in their
back yard and he was effected inside the house. It happens!
So, I chickened out. Could not go. Grrr.....
So then, I decided to use the time to work on some picture
stuff I have been meaning to do. Making sure all pictures from



Hawaii are on all the hard drives. So here is a few from that.
I sure hope I can get out there tomorrow.


Tuesday, July 26, 2016

I tried to talk myself out of it

So yesterday afternoon, I whacked my toes. Grrr In sandals. Grrgrrr....

So I told myself last night, I know it will hurt too much to walk but I am still going to get up anyway. But then once I started getting around, it didn't hurt so much. And the more I walked,
 it did not get worse. 
Then I looked off in the distance and saw that someone is getting some rain.

 Just after I took this picture, lightning flashed there. Yikes...ok, I need to keep moving. Ha ha
The sky was turning so pretty a while later, just touched of pink and bright white clouds. 

I did not see any more lightning. I don't believe the rain will get anywhere near here. But it sure made for an interesting beautiful sky this morning. Kept my mind off my toes. Ha ha

Sunday, July 24, 2016

What a change a few days makes!

I took a few days off from walking. For a couple different reasons. When I got out there this morning, it seemed like the sun came up later! I seemed to be without it for longer. I am not complaining. Just an observation.

There was a lovely breeze this morning.
And I found a house guarded by a couple of gargoyles. Ha ha Not something you see around here a lot.

A cool look at a palm tree. And a beautiful blue sky as I hit my street coming home.

And I will miss tomorrow morning too.....grrr. But nothing to be done as I am not walking in the sun. Ha

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Yes, I talk to myself

I have found myself removing my earbuds while out walking.  I  turn off my audio story when I take them out. Sometimes just to listen.  Maybe a fountain or waterfall as I walk by.  Or some birds.  Sometimes a horse will make a noise or look my way.

But as often as anything else,   I wind up talking to myself.  Usually nothing important. I do the same in the car. Sometimes,  I use the time to talk out a situation I am worried or confused about. It helps to just say the words,  out loud. It can help organize it for me.  Or better know what to do. Other times,  it helps calm an anger or frustrating situation. 
And of course,  anyone that notices me will just think I am a little crazy.  Lol 
That's ok too.  Ha ha

Monday, July 18, 2016

I still want to walk!

So the thunder woke me at about 0230. Pretty heavy,  somewhat rolling.  I waited,  but did not hear any rain.  It's not unusual for us to have heat thunder in the summer with no rain.  I also did not hear any sizzle or snap from lightning.  No flashes in my room. So I got up.  Dressed,  ready to go.  Looked at my phone.

I lost all bravado when I saw these.  Ha ha I told myself the odds are very long against my being struck by lightning.  But my husband would be a bit put out with me if I did.  Ha ha

So I decided to make some chocolate chip cookie bars.

How did the choices come to be either go walking or baking?

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Good morning, God

So this morning I got going really early.  I heard some thunder rumbling off in the distance.  Lots of clouds in the sky.  It was so humid and very warm. 

I remembered to bring my chamois type cloth!  It is so soft and nice for wiping the sweat of my face.  Problem is,  it dries out pretty fast.

So at my half way point,  I found a little brick wall to sit on for a minute.  Behind me was a lovely fountain,  not running.

As I sat there wishing my cloth was even kind of damp,  that fountain started running! 
I laughed out loud,  thank you God! 
What a lovely little sign to keep my butt moving in the mornings.  Ha ha

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Surprise on my walk

I never knew till I moved to Arizona that cactus bloom flowers.  Every single one I have seen does. They are often like paper flowers and pretty.  All different colors.  On cactus!

This morning I noticed some cactus blooming long after most others have finished!

I don't know the name of this type cactus.  I think it might be pipe organ. I have seen people put little Santa hats on them at Christmas time.  Ha ha
It was surely warm and beautiful out this morning! 

Friday, July 15, 2016

Why do birds love this house?

I am lucky to have many safe streets around me to walk. This house stands on the corner of one of them.

Every morning,  this house has a roof full of birds.  Pigeons,  doves,  whatever.  Houses all around it have the same kind of roof.  But no birds.  And every time I walk by,  I wonder why?  There is no taller tree dropping food on it.  So why do they pick this house? 
I have no idea.