Tag Archives: At Home

~Butterfly in the Garden

~Loveland, Colorado, August 2017

 

I just happen to look out one of our upstairs windows yesterday and spotted this butterfly enjoying the blooms on a Butterfly Bush! I removed the screen from the window and tried to capture her as she moved from flower to flower. The sun was in the west, which backlit this little girl.

I believe she is a Variegated Fritillary, but I can’t be sure. Years ago I found a great web-site that helps you identify butterflies. Here is the link: Identify Butterflies.

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Look at her eyes!
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Watching for harassing bees.
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Beautiful patterns

She had a hard time trying to stay away from a yellow jacket that didn’t want her there.

Let me know if you ca identify this butterfly.

Get out and Enjoy Nature!

~A Note From a Friend

This past week I received a card from a dear friend. I thought I would share with you the words.

For a friend…

A friend is someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift.

A friend is someone we treasure for our friendship is a gift.

A friend is someone who fills our lives with beauty, joy and grace.

And makes the whole world we live in a better and happier place.

~Jean Kyler McManus

Treasure your friends and let them know how much they mean to you. Thank you my dear friend for sending me such a beautiful card! Love always.

~The Simple Things in Life

Mehaffey Park History
Mehaffey Park History

A dear friend treated me to a belated birthday lunch today. She picked up bagel sandwiches from Einstein Bagels, which included a bowl of fruit and a dill pickle. All were yummy! We met at one of the picnic shelters at Mehaffey Park; Loveland’s brand new park. (Read about the history of Mehaffey Park from the sign above and note the request from the family.)

While waiting for Gale to arrive, I met a guy and his seven month old Sheba Inu puppy. Needless to say the puppy was adorable. A happy little guy, because he gets to walk to the park from his house everyday.

A lady came along and sat down at another picnic table, soon she came over to our table and sat down with Jeff and I. Of course she had to pet the puppy.  She told me she knew me from somewhere. After a few tries to figure out from where, we came to the conclusion it was from playing Pickleball! Jackie sat and talked with us until her friend Robin arrived along with Pebbles her Chihuahua dog.

I have never met Robin before, nor Jeff, but might see them again sometime at the park. I met Jackie and her husband playing Pickleball several weeks ago. I will see Jackie in the morning on the Pickleball court beginning at 7:30am.

From our picnic table, looking west, Gale and I could see Long and Meeker Peaks in the distance. Brilliant blue skies dotted with white clouds leading the way as we gazed upon these beautiful peaks.

Mehaffey Park with Long and Meeker Peaks in the distance.
Mehaffey Park with Long and Meeker Peaks in the distance. Photo taken on a cloudy day, not today.

I could hear Canada geese down by the pond talking among themselves, perhaps deciding when to head south for the winter. Not far away, pure joy in the form of giggles, floated in the air from kids enjoying their new playground.

I appreciate these kind of days – lunch with a dear friend, meeting new people, all while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature in a beautiful place called Loveland, Colorado.

View from Mehaffey looking west. We live on that hill.
View from Mehaffey looking west. Notice the hill dotted with houses, we live on that hill!

Thanks Gale for lunch, I enjoyed it very much!

Enjoy the Simple Things in Life!

~On this day

August 9, 1975

On this day,

forty years ago,

we pledged our love,

and said I do.

August 9, 2015

On this day,

and everyday since,

we express our love for each other,

and will, forever and always.

The joy in my heart and the light of my life –  my dear hubby and our two “girls”.

Photo taken last summer as we traveled the Oregon Coast.

~Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

~

flowers bring a smile

lighten the heart with joy

may they grace all tomorrows

~

Day Lily-in yellow
Day Lily-in yellow

As you gaze,

upon a Day Lily,

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow,

is what you see.

Marigold in Orange
Marigold in Orange
Day Lily in Orange
Day Lily in Orange

~

Yesterday, gone

Today, now

Tomorrow, coming  

~

Marigold in Yellow
Marigold in Yellow
Cherry Tree
Cherry Tree
Sadly, I haven’t planted many flowers in my yard this year, but the few I have blooming bring me great joy everyday.