tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55119811104940892722024-03-06T22:34:35.003-05:00Bended Road PhotographyPhoto DiaryNickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.comBlogger1866125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-24307386583126697902018-01-28T21:54:00.000-05:002018-01-28T21:54:19.678-05:00new year resolutions ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JTbG9tkKzn5fM-Vyqpzf896QA70GEKFjPVyq68lde6xfMea1Dwd4zDi931HVwuKwAN3eDbU1LvY3TFGDnujgA5bLINEY9CCITPTY55RzXkE0cqTLjnKkjBXNKANTM26dYPh1q0Ozy153/s1600/DSC_8066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JTbG9tkKzn5fM-Vyqpzf896QA70GEKFjPVyq68lde6xfMea1Dwd4zDi931HVwuKwAN3eDbU1LvY3TFGDnujgA5bLINEY9CCITPTY55RzXkE0cqTLjnKkjBXNKANTM26dYPh1q0Ozy153/s640/DSC_8066.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">the line back to the gym at the first of the year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Fingers crossed I will be joining that line at the end of the week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While I have missed my weekly routine I sure haven't missed the crazy new years crowd.</span></div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-56376097192917199112018-01-21T21:48:00.000-05:002018-01-21T21:48:13.156-05:00here we go ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFKqDgoZWaMoHUsjZWX-1FAmhB76N8LfLK3I9NHe-aGecOFenMRZz07k3kcVU1NtND_1WeOgi8um9jfTfqj8j4ORxWUaECFBEBHac-wLPwlY26ZzbeTlYgHdv3M3NRsoC0Lc0tKeIzpE9/s1600/IMG_0398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFKqDgoZWaMoHUsjZWX-1FAmhB76N8LfLK3I9NHe-aGecOFenMRZz07k3kcVU1NtND_1WeOgi8um9jfTfqj8j4ORxWUaECFBEBHac-wLPwlY26ZzbeTlYgHdv3M3NRsoC0Lc0tKeIzpE9/s640/IMG_0398.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't know about anyone else but I sleep through more New Year's Eves than I spend counting down the final seconds these days. The passing of 2017 was no exception as I was again in California visiting my sister, preparing to take in the Tournament of Roses Parade which requires a ridiculously early wake up call. As a result I generally don't give a whole lot of thought to the outgoing year; but if I were to </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sum up 2017 it would be as a year that brought us to a fork in the road, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">the stepping off point to inevitable change</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- job positions, schooling, residences. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yaQveBmRFOIfebP1rfA2OE4Ru8oleVnyJdpgI95TeWk0M_J16U29rDlDzMJo9OOl3pMFtm7_pozTETFk9xWuHM3hxmU3m0a7xVBAwNvxPL9pRsTEQHQdjz1Xnq7ZgzP4p5_xX9pACqTN/s1600/IMG_0535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1571" data-original-width="1600" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yaQveBmRFOIfebP1rfA2OE4Ru8oleVnyJdpgI95TeWk0M_J16U29rDlDzMJo9OOl3pMFtm7_pozTETFk9xWuHM3hxmU3m0a7xVBAwNvxPL9pRsTEQHQdjz1Xnq7ZgzP4p5_xX9pACqTN/s640/IMG_0535.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So here we are at 2018.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While there is less travel planned I am confident there will still be adventure</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I am hopeful for more photography time and more blog time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">I am determined to reclaim more get healthy time.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-g6ojA1balxTu66E-RK3gXgJkkv8sm86-GQknYphCHgI0gp0z99wQF74bXgWr0Fbvcno8SAwjHN-JJuI-TubECpj3ETgsYu1J-uen1mq8C1YBhA6sSqLK29L8p7x3xPed-f3pFc01H4Yb/s1600/IMG_0639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-g6ojA1balxTu66E-RK3gXgJkkv8sm86-GQknYphCHgI0gp0z99wQF74bXgWr0Fbvcno8SAwjHN-JJuI-TubECpj3ETgsYu1J-uen1mq8C1YBhA6sSqLK29L8p7x3xPed-f3pFc01H4Yb/s640/IMG_0639.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">So ... here we go.</span><br />
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-88594330725371856172017-12-10T10:32:00.000-05:002017-12-10T10:32:48.726-05:00Its a MEOW Life ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbyfo0uEy058eJ92fBuiqaa06maXbUswJnBSv-HDJkVGscx36lev5TlyWseiNhfsUO59I1poQOWMeNSTR1t_Fvg-0CRQMlhMIua3mdqENTxVmVUUuWj4qzHLR0-VbkyvM4qZ9YuDHtoNe/s1600/DSC_7528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbyfo0uEy058eJ92fBuiqaa06maXbUswJnBSv-HDJkVGscx36lev5TlyWseiNhfsUO59I1poQOWMeNSTR1t_Fvg-0CRQMlhMIua3mdqENTxVmVUUuWj4qzHLR0-VbkyvM4qZ9YuDHtoNe/s640/DSC_7528.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Life has been happening - the good, the bad, the ugly. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And as you can well imagine, cats were in the mix.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzTZwG9S4sGkne8Z8ZJbuvLTugtdgit9MWEQmOauNuqnVgRiALdprP8V8BhyMxeENXGNqPRgpNC_HYxmnbCJh8t1BMlesbHCZq8PWpg8BtvttbkztLVb2UZyrb1aQNsCp-5QQg5Uwh6ns/s1600/ninja-table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1600" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzTZwG9S4sGkne8Z8ZJbuvLTugtdgit9MWEQmOauNuqnVgRiALdprP8V8BhyMxeENXGNqPRgpNC_HYxmnbCJh8t1BMlesbHCZq8PWpg8BtvttbkztLVb2UZyrb1aQNsCp-5QQg5Uwh6ns/s640/ninja-table.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Cats are like houseguests - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">after a few days they start to smell (quite literally)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and they come for the weekend and stay for months ...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEH20x0O8HnIA6zADMwedEolWOff-KeJ52AJ2JY9-_kvvkx5azdJjTLDk15TjMGAv87XEO8qlqJnYGsqAUAXMC6yGVL-TK-J6RmuYAB5DnqyDLECzXNkp-13bHWQug7_UvENTmFA2GHqb/s1600/downlow-group.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEH20x0O8HnIA6zADMwedEolWOff-KeJ52AJ2JY9-_kvvkx5azdJjTLDk15TjMGAv87XEO8qlqJnYGsqAUAXMC6yGVL-TK-J6RmuYAB5DnqyDLECzXNkp-13bHWQug7_UvENTmFA2GHqb/s640/downlow-group.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This will be our LAST foster group.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Conclusion - they are ALL adorable and need saved - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">my sanity needs saved too.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7Mnmvuc8YvJn3AZ5xS7FIYENmZXZ_MJ_YzuuPRXvffi0N5sClSXBeRXfT4keRet8Egw_zZ7mxVb_H2vlNd_hWaJfUZ3DGkMtrIujjbny24U82rzWESvYuXookXIc8hyphenhyphen8IYUavBK9zxH5/s1600/DSC_7596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7Mnmvuc8YvJn3AZ5xS7FIYENmZXZ_MJ_YzuuPRXvffi0N5sClSXBeRXfT4keRet8Egw_zZ7mxVb_H2vlNd_hWaJfUZ3DGkMtrIujjbny24U82rzWESvYuXookXIc8hyphenhyphen8IYUavBK9zxH5/s640/DSC_7596.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And yes, it will be another minimalistic Christmas</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Approach so far: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Charlie Brown trees - wait </span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">wall of Santa's - wait</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">grapevine wreath tree - relocate - relocate - wait</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">family tree with lights only -- wait</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">add garland -- wait</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">surround with boxes and baskets - wait</span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">while they are asleep add non-breakable ornaments.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">Patience is a virtue - and prayers are much appreciated.</span><br />
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-6114497327389710112017-08-20T20:17:00.001-04:002017-08-20T20:17:48.620-04:00easy like Sunday morning ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmkP5UpZGbPJAMDjDZo4HB_PjHwtucj5FNpVO3sUcSpcADs7Yqzv2P8deTQ0UR2bkTJa1veslYmVtFqD5fZ6tycIfD7_ODEgKJ07cfbCome92ZKD-RHz58Ou0mvuG0JnZui_SCq_fNyts/s1600/IMG_0508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1600" height="453" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmkP5UpZGbPJAMDjDZo4HB_PjHwtucj5FNpVO3sUcSpcADs7Yqzv2P8deTQ0UR2bkTJa1veslYmVtFqD5fZ6tycIfD7_ODEgKJ07cfbCome92ZKD-RHz58Ou0mvuG0JnZui_SCq_fNyts/s640/IMG_0508.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in this crazy world we live in, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">every chance to take a moment and just 'chill' and slow down is to be embraced and cherished.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">by all of us --- kitty included.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">life less complicated</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">does that even exist anymore?</span></div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-39145256339534738512017-08-03T22:28:00.000-04:002017-08-03T22:28:58.394-04:00bye bye bye July ... <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">July <strike>has been</strike> WAS crazy busy, crazy fast, crazy hot, crazy humid. Crazy!
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5SCgWa6MW-gEo76MvxFpVIHLtmbvYqLMW4wOX4vXOODSQ2VM1FcOdTxkdS773L8Lsc1B7fZZ7HICn0gUgn-IdVB6Ol21Mf0Cs_vCQmShADgq62v3GaGd-Hy2KmLNokg_naoVl4AdD1Ka/s1600/DSC_6613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5SCgWa6MW-gEo76MvxFpVIHLtmbvYqLMW4wOX4vXOODSQ2VM1FcOdTxkdS773L8Lsc1B7fZZ7HICn0gUgn-IdVB6Ol21Mf0Cs_vCQmShADgq62v3GaGd-Hy2KmLNokg_naoVl4AdD1Ka/s640/DSC_6613.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">A lot of transitioning going on here. Shifting gears for the girl in Japan and gearing up for the boy at college. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't like the term "empty nester"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I prefer "parents of free range adults".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Robin Fox</span> </span></div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-40603166805183263352017-06-08T21:33:00.001-04:002017-08-30T20:56:41.363-04:00crazy.quirkly.me ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sometimes you just gotta be you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With photography this is especially true because while you can replicate images from others, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you get more satisfaction when you do what is genuinely you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As for me, there are some consistencies:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLftJb01Cx_eMfe1pCnm8X9aAfnsvNVxTqlkUagQOJDxgofeq4ZvbOaSuCsotQh89NxugPQmBHUzh5E2H-5OOcXfwulj2czBnSt0FJWtPYJwa84sqL1R6mws0qtrGeTY_oEKswnDsZspDE/s1600/DSC_2239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1098" data-original-width="1600" height="439" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLftJb01Cx_eMfe1pCnm8X9aAfnsvNVxTqlkUagQOJDxgofeq4ZvbOaSuCsotQh89NxugPQmBHUzh5E2H-5OOcXfwulj2czBnSt0FJWtPYJwa84sqL1R6mws0qtrGeTY_oEKswnDsZspDE/s640/DSC_2239.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[Italy]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hotel rooms; when I travel I find I must snap a pic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I can't help myself...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFy_XoZnmYVvSXFgLhri5JlWnYX9cCeycX-sd4_m72f-LrJy5Vr3FRRVMDDqo5_qEJgtunrjiivqmfTS4aZ-ZkODiMYk2opRD_AoVK3_RYZrcn0xrdtlg4xys29sCerPik_gE5LMRYZFFa/s1600/IMG_1184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFy_XoZnmYVvSXFgLhri5JlWnYX9cCeycX-sd4_m72f-LrJy5Vr3FRRVMDDqo5_qEJgtunrjiivqmfTS4aZ-ZkODiMYk2opRD_AoVK3_RYZrcn0xrdtlg4xys29sCerPik_gE5LMRYZFFa/s640/IMG_1184.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[WV]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And the halls ... </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiay45-KoyRPiREQs9116BHAqOi4EYYkeYC3YrfXY1GRcCfUt4nFWIRS41XLpfgMm8rWbHQdXQM7DjrDMGJ9NhuZjJxtv8CdYoEYBwYwwk9-s2BfZHOLIqvvrrXZIQNp9slF913nseLjSLy/s1600/IMG_1368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiay45-KoyRPiREQs9116BHAqOi4EYYkeYC3YrfXY1GRcCfUt4nFWIRS41XLpfgMm8rWbHQdXQM7DjrDMGJ9NhuZjJxtv8CdYoEYBwYwwk9-s2BfZHOLIqvvrrXZIQNp9slF913nseLjSLy/s640/IMG_1368.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[London]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There must be something with our last name because inevitably we end up with the room at the end of the hall - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- yea, the one wayyyy...downnnn...there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(and it is a good way to entertain yourself on the hike) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Out last trip to Disney broke the distance record leaving us to wonder if by the time we reached our room whether or not we were still in the same resort. We started out in the direction of Epcot and ended up at Hollywood Studios </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- so to speak.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWH2KxcPJmcWpcTinLyYq5vIWMseCFctC1FzkA-19nqn6QN-EP1KgYnjrfN2cEoPLVlX9t1M9SwcD-wdqEuvV9nUbBtLYkXLZCoLj4sCCeU0vyJ3SSsFpwycOTPNYuwcibOgnW-r_FANUL/s1600/IMG_6898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWH2KxcPJmcWpcTinLyYq5vIWMseCFctC1FzkA-19nqn6QN-EP1KgYnjrfN2cEoPLVlX9t1M9SwcD-wdqEuvV9nUbBtLYkXLZCoLj4sCCeU0vyJ3SSsFpwycOTPNYuwcibOgnW-r_FANUL/s640/IMG_6898.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[Hawaii]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I also have moments of being a food photographer - but not full on foodie level.</span></div>
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<span style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy2mK-h3fv68KJvTM_mUdh5tTwsIV6Ce6pDxe6DKTujjnBWxEdxvn2kdGnUHgMrPvzxmw6N4gEHjk-xrgBYbXP8X-yps-k46y0kKqBJPOXAXbVXLXuhgCF6jSYUUd-7YURz_CarTSfmFaD/s640/IMG_7230.jpg" width="480" /></span></span></div>
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<span style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NbofaTup5ZpKO9MkWzjIH4OG2eUK6SKjD2t0tWtaNvnxb24MUB965Hcys4dC1qBkBAHQo0j_GjSbPCh7aZ-CSzFKQScDUcg_4Jbst2dospp6gp0f-IKdY5kU4GkUQ9aga9vlIBJzuWDq/s640/mickey.jpg" width="480" />A</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">like my Mickey ice creams</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">- it's tradition.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[Aulani and Magic Kingdom respectively]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Plus who doesn't like a good coffee selfie</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENnNFiIAA8lqzgZhY45TcNnP0UukwEOO87ljYAbCZXwi-uuykKXazZYXNc4D50Hs9uB8gJ0J6ta1gllZx0y7Y19-mpjK4kgCkcNdjS9lizTsGYZrtc01OXBfw5GPMoCiMUbTxph8bjHIu/s1600/IMG_2381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENnNFiIAA8lqzgZhY45TcNnP0UukwEOO87ljYAbCZXwi-uuykKXazZYXNc4D50Hs9uB8gJ0J6ta1gllZx0y7Y19-mpjK4kgCkcNdjS9lizTsGYZrtc01OXBfw5GPMoCiMUbTxph8bjHIu/s640/IMG_2381.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[Paris]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">or a Coke when it spells it out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNn24xFRaK36WLmTft29DuMwOOynv87PtbuHJViunc3uURvbyKG9RHubZynkPwVVe521DFkxIl8JeHNNgFjazALeL-D0ScXMKGn0LtrfV2fx3zGcL3rl1axVFknuwDEe4b_NXwqM9uQkj/s1600/IMG_8063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKNn24xFRaK36WLmTft29DuMwOOynv87PtbuHJViunc3uURvbyKG9RHubZynkPwVVe521DFkxIl8JeHNNgFjazALeL-D0ScXMKGn0LtrfV2fx3zGcL3rl1axVFknuwDEe4b_NXwqM9uQkj/s640/IMG_8063.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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[Cinderella's Castle]</div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-13184383329939204632017-05-31T20:59:00.000-04:002017-05-31T20:59:58.783-04:00black and white wednesday ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIy7H2ygfZwPHMmBTe8tdAzlf7jpH7hADPA09KE_cMpPkn3t-iQlufboX4pBeRL02iHTHkwyNk0L9VCRMXyKf3zMaqbzYGW_xTGpZQ_qWqed_YeiikG0u5tTgzHiSZHVYObTlPyVqQyxB/s1600/DSC_6605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="898" data-original-width="1600" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIy7H2ygfZwPHMmBTe8tdAzlf7jpH7hADPA09KE_cMpPkn3t-iQlufboX4pBeRL02iHTHkwyNk0L9VCRMXyKf3zMaqbzYGW_xTGpZQ_qWqed_YeiikG0u5tTgzHiSZHVYObTlPyVqQyxB/s640/DSC_6605.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In less than a month I will be visiting this fella's human in Japan to help ready her to return home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, you read that right - she is coming HOME.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the closer it gets the more excited I get about it.</span></div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-6457117690716097672017-05-19T22:47:00.000-04:002017-05-19T22:47:22.370-04:00acts of kindness ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>no acts of kindness, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>however small, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>is ever wasted. </i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Aesop
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi1rR9BSph-hJoPnytH9UzAfDWOrKNsYaEJWHUtL49bMIOz2u4yChCFDAuuYByfOTw5yTWzP4VXDc80Z-eYHAD2t7la237VuWzUVYkPdF6mKrwNU_JUWlkAQq7LRJxze4k68W4ape25HI/s1600/DSC_0768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi1rR9BSph-hJoPnytH9UzAfDWOrKNsYaEJWHUtL49bMIOz2u4yChCFDAuuYByfOTw5yTWzP4VXDc80Z-eYHAD2t7la237VuWzUVYkPdF6mKrwNU_JUWlkAQq7LRJxze4k68W4ape25HI/s640/DSC_0768.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Champs-Élysées, Paris, France</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been torn about posting this image, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hesitant to take it in the first place, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">agreeing with my husband's disfavor of putting the down trodden on display.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the end I decided to share it only because of its anonymity but even more because of the volumes it speaks to the universal hardship of mankind and the never ending need for acts of kindness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hardship knows no boundaries and to look the other way (including with a camera) is to pretend it doesn't exist. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That helps noone.</span></div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-55199640621413923772017-05-14T09:42:00.000-04:002017-05-14T09:42:49.905-04:00Happy Mother's Day ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJSOjoOdc1MUoRrkug65SuT7jRUBBdIoEVYXBed28aSYVzOwl0oo0KcbXnjl2rsSP8gWpxe44np6lgygowgNuQuUrOh8XQZkZGaVadbU-1woeuFPOcLC6TEDaWcOc5qHi0BmLOEKMrzvd/s1600/fusha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJSOjoOdc1MUoRrkug65SuT7jRUBBdIoEVYXBed28aSYVzOwl0oo0KcbXnjl2rsSP8gWpxe44np6lgygowgNuQuUrOh8XQZkZGaVadbU-1woeuFPOcLC6TEDaWcOc5qHi0BmLOEKMrzvd/s640/fusha.jpg" width="558" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The brilliance of Mother's Day doesn't come from the flowers ...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4hTIlRSk9VBDvSGBi_Okaz8gNLXCoVX2KT-kRBXOzbkueCY3qIqEJ9VaHNrYPT5ed7HsL30r6y3o3i1WWLdLgNCaox57qT6QgamXJa4DvZYnvDHaHNPUWMDaHG9N-5ZL63e85J_hqz0O/s1600/yellow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-4hTIlRSk9VBDvSGBi_Okaz8gNLXCoVX2KT-kRBXOzbkueCY3qIqEJ9VaHNrYPT5ed7HsL30r6y3o3i1WWLdLgNCaox57qT6QgamXJa4DvZYnvDHaHNPUWMDaHG9N-5ZL63e85J_hqz0O/s640/yellow.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">it doesn't have to be filled with sunshine ...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSfboSr04hPrhmKk1zxMGlLpScfdXdPz9bZ2rwjKKnpdzFLx07Ki6fDKxJJ6FgN81uMO6JGlQ9G08k3BazRyBjA2SGwt8Nfhrz4HVWZ8eanG4mlqTxw_tMu7H0ZDsEaiCwO_VqSHaDu8E/s1600/pail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSfboSr04hPrhmKk1zxMGlLpScfdXdPz9bZ2rwjKKnpdzFLx07Ki6fDKxJJ6FgN81uMO6JGlQ9G08k3BazRyBjA2SGwt8Nfhrz4HVWZ8eanG4mlqTxw_tMu7H0ZDsEaiCwO_VqSHaDu8E/s640/pail.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the best part of a day celebrating motherhood is getting to share it with your children (fur babies included).
I miss my mom dearly and lament the too many Mother's Days I let slip away without celebrating it with her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!</span></div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-74857463003549450632017-04-25T21:21:00.001-04:002017-04-25T21:21:39.625-04:00she blinded me with science ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxRprmH-WUTwqPGG1GZTxQD7HYzMi8sNKxzQhlok-33Yb1_v_U72sZ7X4ZjjAJ8YsoQuyYr62pspeOOdp41dmTp13lFJOyzmtKbfUx6gkuX7plUCSQS3Dk-gLq1cR-cxzIF8RPotGLnvv/s1600/IMG_7627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxRprmH-WUTwqPGG1GZTxQD7HYzMi8sNKxzQhlok-33Yb1_v_U72sZ7X4ZjjAJ8YsoQuyYr62pspeOOdp41dmTp13lFJOyzmtKbfUx6gkuX7plUCSQS3Dk-gLq1cR-cxzIF8RPotGLnvv/s640/IMG_7627.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vSX6eFkTwUcEm3yHRncm2I4ut9-1tGuW1YqDEj5mH3FZVf1QRE2LK-Ng5xf0SX1hdftywXTd0d0AvS8hhkaxxhaQObPRNB9_nMS22M2Y5mpiciWogDlDCPzCmfJAImC39LXNXvTD4GyD/s1600/IMG_7723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vSX6eFkTwUcEm3yHRncm2I4ut9-1tGuW1YqDEj5mH3FZVf1QRE2LK-Ng5xf0SX1hdftywXTd0d0AvS8hhkaxxhaQObPRNB9_nMS22M2Y5mpiciWogDlDCPzCmfJAImC39LXNXvTD4GyD/s640/IMG_7723.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Travel can be planned to the ninth degree and still take on a life of its own.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">20 percent chance of rain turns into 100 percent.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Casual meandering around the Capitol surrendered to masses of people yelling something about science.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And visiting a specific Smithsonian museum tabled due to a one hour entry wait </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(created by same said crowd and compounded by same said precipitation).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjbgMtVe7ZYNsoQCJTsBflNG2m8iaaM37rQZknjNzSSEu1-WvORhV-8R1eW4dq_U4vsBM-F3Y5hhP9muTCEOOpObDl3ajIbCZSIHWwKXHWzsnEm2fjF3p5THwFXvOtA9DmXkYpPYOLjoP/s1600/IMG_7778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjbgMtVe7ZYNsoQCJTsBflNG2m8iaaM37rQZknjNzSSEu1-WvORhV-8R1eW4dq_U4vsBM-F3Y5hhP9muTCEOOpObDl3ajIbCZSIHWwKXHWzsnEm2fjF3p5THwFXvOtA9DmXkYpPYOLjoP/s640/IMG_7778.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have found I am better with going with the flow with a camera in hand </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(and a cell phone camera works fine too).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So as we made our way back to the subway to shift gears,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">get dinner and shop, I clicked away.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNCp3NbVZ_Ri4M9aks7HsYvYnUmGqvEx64XzWS_EKw_bzsRpJOkYHzvcbnaWZv7LsMqJDRHnBgCXX7v6-PmMbFgFsX7WtJph41AHVzL8oPiitUadOzoToUZ2y7Wuehyphenhyphen61HNtZp1rkAQjv/s1600/IMG_7791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNCp3NbVZ_Ri4M9aks7HsYvYnUmGqvEx64XzWS_EKw_bzsRpJOkYHzvcbnaWZv7LsMqJDRHnBgCXX7v6-PmMbFgFsX7WtJph41AHVzL8oPiitUadOzoToUZ2y7Wuehyphenhyphen61HNtZp1rkAQjv/s640/IMG_7791.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvvZ-MyS0qikJJtIefhRjykELVcM2N2Bjuur2sd3ICZK8OB1iut-l-laHAFT5Q4ZUWrzcyYxUPvPD8RxCB7JpfGV56JtaBWkYmYktA6FQvuDt6uNyCYyAEQWeEywkQu7T6rvyipaAlFmV/s1600/IMG_7788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvvZ-MyS0qikJJtIefhRjykELVcM2N2Bjuur2sd3ICZK8OB1iut-l-laHAFT5Q4ZUWrzcyYxUPvPD8RxCB7JpfGV56JtaBWkYmYktA6FQvuDt6uNyCYyAEQWeEywkQu7T6rvyipaAlFmV/s640/IMG_7788.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfvsIYGjyTPlhKiSwFOnVKEmJTj3Ny03pGbrpDaHJO9NWcXXaXC5bySE3xPBMjCA6eDOQvAS6DN7VC9nWGvKCcQ2Uys3RYu_Pz9bwubrpYYkMcva9ZyuS0lbbZ567XlrDsG3cPZrSPWzO/s1600/IMG_7794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfvsIYGjyTPlhKiSwFOnVKEmJTj3Ny03pGbrpDaHJO9NWcXXaXC5bySE3xPBMjCA6eDOQvAS6DN7VC9nWGvKCcQ2Uys3RYu_Pz9bwubrpYYkMcva9ZyuS0lbbZ567XlrDsG3cPZrSPWzO/s640/IMG_7794.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnX4G6ot114vn_sQKRpyEuwfs7QJBJGo-HN8QvRGT1gUrwEH7D9kMDIELfj9uNdlmpRPbr28jryx9ixyb3Bo3kCO4dop5wHl2KUvqEY_qZGtyqaFuQOehWxtF7wTNQXosU9T7Yx3cAa36/s1600/IMG_7786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnX4G6ot114vn_sQKRpyEuwfs7QJBJGo-HN8QvRGT1gUrwEH7D9kMDIELfj9uNdlmpRPbr28jryx9ixyb3Bo3kCO4dop5wHl2KUvqEY_qZGtyqaFuQOehWxtF7wTNQXosU9T7Yx3cAa36/s640/IMG_7786.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">None of the aforementioned changes of plan ruined our weekend at all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good times were had by all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(even by this guy)</span></div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-14136572589231447352017-04-08T22:40:00.000-04:002017-04-08T22:40:07.422-04:00Spring ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYqn6M6WLm-JmQNW-UhBfdHlojkOWk2Hyq9NT9yiz097JceVvFx7oM8rUJI0h65XK_YCy0RRpTc60mVvuix1ED-RLmXkqYgo_OrQ0Q2CbxBoB_UlQveOyl6AF4lTjox3vIi7VfePRb5Gh/s1600/DSC_8425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaYqn6M6WLm-JmQNW-UhBfdHlojkOWk2Hyq9NT9yiz097JceVvFx7oM8rUJI0h65XK_YCy0RRpTc60mVvuix1ED-RLmXkqYgo_OrQ0Q2CbxBoB_UlQveOyl6AF4lTjox3vIi7VfePRb5Gh/s640/DSC_8425.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Has it really been a year since we welcomed in Spring in Europe? How can that be when I am still sorting through pictures for an anniversary photo book and regularly using them for my instagram feed? What's more, it seems like just yesterday we said goodbye to the Crawley family and left our beloved Downton Abbey in the rear-view mirror.</span></div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-33662610524247053422017-04-03T20:55:00.000-04:002017-04-03T20:55:04.321-04:00lay of the land ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16z4nDq3ABqIX1AQu0sEggC0-ni8uPKc8ze3VfgafMt9MwNl8CugEhAltR6b73eNiUq_nnzTPT2-LsntHI6jYReVDuPgbD9HWgHXxbldPtoOFp-v1Xgwdrd8JR3p3mFuSMFPgGiX-V8KV/s1600/DSC_5262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16z4nDq3ABqIX1AQu0sEggC0-ni8uPKc8ze3VfgafMt9MwNl8CugEhAltR6b73eNiUq_nnzTPT2-LsntHI6jYReVDuPgbD9HWgHXxbldPtoOFp-v1Xgwdrd8JR3p3mFuSMFPgGiX-V8KV/s640/DSC_5262.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">[Laguna Beach, California]
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFci5XXayF3YB73Nkrx0jh4E0WVUwExoIl5bfSynzZmVk4pVvfH__5I6qKubw7-oFeKrdSR_oXtvJHHugp5WFY5SAH9ZIKPsXmSTiRxvYZ5w1Vd2Csd5CVa9ibsjEzVTbXAWvZcC4Bvxt/s1600/IMG_2586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaFci5XXayF3YB73Nkrx0jh4E0WVUwExoIl5bfSynzZmVk4pVvfH__5I6qKubw7-oFeKrdSR_oXtvJHHugp5WFY5SAH9ZIKPsXmSTiRxvYZ5w1Vd2Csd5CVa9ibsjEzVTbXAWvZcC4Bvxt/s640/IMG_2586.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">[Switzerland]
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TYbB1tHBAX_fFh9xt1X_N8pdHHfncBSuWXtaGKAMPnmjbvwbgUAp11dssGwFGsl4h2SkxPzNBBMg3VdBxNCupTF_Z1QwmDfe22axgn3Tur1XqZSo9WgXkdIvVtsMUF9Bb1asMIkY1ea-/s1600/DSC_6367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TYbB1tHBAX_fFh9xt1X_N8pdHHfncBSuWXtaGKAMPnmjbvwbgUAp11dssGwFGsl4h2SkxPzNBBMg3VdBxNCupTF_Z1QwmDfe22axgn3Tur1XqZSo9WgXkdIvVtsMUF9Bb1asMIkY1ea-/s640/DSC_6367.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">[Honolulu, Hawaii] </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIQVqsccA4eZbio4J7_trapEDrsaCuub3W4qR_ckVAM1sgFoe3qpxZzdmobTABZSOmGLCZihxGvDAvXT5s-bCPxXC2sUgMDfBTSbas-fYF_FuMHTPEzaQTeXYUoNhGFmyfobrq7DiEdYo/s1600/DSC_6363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIQVqsccA4eZbio4J7_trapEDrsaCuub3W4qR_ckVAM1sgFoe3qpxZzdmobTABZSOmGLCZihxGvDAvXT5s-bCPxXC2sUgMDfBTSbas-fYF_FuMHTPEzaQTeXYUoNhGFmyfobrq7DiEdYo/s640/DSC_6363.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">[Honolulu, Hawaii]</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdk0DRBNgTaNCwDuZyEF0lvgVq0B_73ycgQpum7u4Vj26sUQlrYIAOjchgsCaLpPwIxVfRSwUdB9sCXPIimUZlS-A2McioZxzLsGq0XsEmgF7i-ZHS6vwN5F1doARZzerBUe0nAZv0HXBX/s1600/DSC_5400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdk0DRBNgTaNCwDuZyEF0lvgVq0B_73ycgQpum7u4Vj26sUQlrYIAOjchgsCaLpPwIxVfRSwUdB9sCXPIimUZlS-A2McioZxzLsGq0XsEmgF7i-ZHS6vwN5F1doARZzerBUe0nAZv0HXBX/s640/DSC_5400.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">[Salt Creek Beach, California]</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> As I scour images to complete a couple photo books there has been a regular presence of </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">homestead photos.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not the stereotypical travel photos of the beach or hillside, but images that in my opinion tell a lot about the region, culture, and the people who call it home. </span></div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-80401463360728947062017-03-11T19:57:00.000-05:002017-03-11T19:57:54.489-05:00hey, we should ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhED6wgdkJhXGiUq5duElYUekck39jY8rKAb8E8WsyBjSWFgJBZ3x6kQF1g00CDw6w_NvcAWigDEs6XrZDorMarAUQtxST-Pks44kobpOj5lLFJOy0CQX3LqyYZ8yac4ZCiMgBApsEFtLln/s1600/IMG_6959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhED6wgdkJhXGiUq5duElYUekck39jY8rKAb8E8WsyBjSWFgJBZ3x6kQF1g00CDw6w_NvcAWigDEs6XrZDorMarAUQtxST-Pks44kobpOj5lLFJOy0CQX3LqyYZ8yac4ZCiMgBApsEFtLln/s640/IMG_6959.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What started as a 'hey, we should ..." ended with a rip roaring good time in Hawaii.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNjLgN9fl3ezr-LSaY3ub5AnMtcBKXr1wU-W_-AAQ_2mUFnWKuOTCyWq7sWFtBtl3p2YCTyTIJEYj2sp9G1G314RseeorCClV0o6peQfikJrVaZN9mMNbkiTz5uj5iM1mUqf19MhiOoO0/s1600/IMG_6881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNjLgN9fl3ezr-LSaY3ub5AnMtcBKXr1wU-W_-AAQ_2mUFnWKuOTCyWq7sWFtBtl3p2YCTyTIJEYj2sp9G1G314RseeorCClV0o6peQfikJrVaZN9mMNbkiTz5uj5iM1mUqf19MhiOoO0/s640/IMG_6881.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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About a bazillion years ago my brother said "hey, we should go to Hawaii". He was in law school, I was in graduate school and we were foot loose and fancy free. The concept of bucket lists had not crossed our radar and endless lounging on the beach qualified as a destination because we had nothing but TIME. Mostly what I remember about that trip was the overwhelming delight of fragrance (summer flowers were in full bloom), island hopping, staying where they filmed Elvis' Blue Hawaii, and riding horses.<br />
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Careers, marriage, and growing families later, he again said, "hey, we should go to Hawaii". This time with spouses in tow we stayed at Disney's Aulani Resort and limited our trip to the island of Oahu.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBsNqofolktNK91MjqAz4-MwOzqWEjjmAES5PkCihDArv-KP2ITu1VswCm85YEx5xOXesMUIdSHHWyL-alk3Aqqm4J_AYHFKgkfmIrT88uWBBAkWRIn_OSj6PE6k9mwbZJqw5alLYhHi8/s1600/IMG_6892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBsNqofolktNK91MjqAz4-MwOzqWEjjmAES5PkCihDArv-KP2ITu1VswCm85YEx5xOXesMUIdSHHWyL-alk3Aqqm4J_AYHFKgkfmIrT88uWBBAkWRIn_OSj6PE6k9mwbZJqw5alLYhHi8/s640/IMG_6892.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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With a better sense of ohana (family) and a better appreciation for the aloha way of life, we embarked on a trip where idle time would be filled with adventure, </div>
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and beach lounging reserved for photographing the sunset. </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">We surprised ourselves with our agility to maneuver narrow, rocky, muddy trails through the rainforest/bamboo forest where we witnessed possibly one of the most lackluster waterfalls I have ever seen. </span><span style="text-align: left;">Still a fun journey.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcYHDCGmVdfBa1AIaXO8iQrjDhhWjgwgXnSMg4TKIk3RKSn5bkmZNbhFRbu6PE4sItJ9xekI778YgLi7JgR6y2jB8aXyR8-UXJjO6JGrHeWrFWhoQiu9m0-9s0fZuBq39UnhqwH6wn5Ap/s1600/P1013876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKcYHDCGmVdfBa1AIaXO8iQrjDhhWjgwgXnSMg4TKIk3RKSn5bkmZNbhFRbu6PE4sItJ9xekI778YgLi7JgR6y2jB8aXyR8-UXJjO6JGrHeWrFWhoQiu9m0-9s0fZuBq39UnhqwH6wn5Ap/s400/P1013876.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We managed to hang with the hip and chic by shopping and dining late on a Sunday night in Honolulu. We set out thinking it would be like any other town that rolls up the streets on Sunday evenings making it a breeze to scoop up a table for a nice dinner. Nope, not even kinda. That place was hopping and we old farts went with the flow. Not bad for a group that earlier in the week could barely make it to 9:30 before falling asleep from jetlag.</div>
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We (and by we I mean me) tested the concept that you can outgrow or mentally will away motion sickness or at least discourage its symptoms with sea-bands and essential oils.</div>
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If we had turned the catamaran around after spotting the dolphin family of 6 </div>
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I might have had a shot at it.</div>
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But my how blue that water was,</div>
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(I spent plenty of time looking over the side of the boat to vouch for this).</div>
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We traveled to the North Shore in hope of witnessing some serious surfing only to discover the quicksand nature of the beach and experience beach chickens. </div>
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(and not of the seagull variety but of the rooster crowing and hen egg laying variety). </div>
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We rounded up our trip on the east side of Oahu touring the Kualoa Farm where we thoroughly enjoyed the ATV tour of some of the most beautiful landscape you can image. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmi5Tvy5LxadIYl_Ry3Wl_xTdzU_DbsY9Rd-U75Shoq7iVXBQkHXDGz80VKNWF-84O-nCQSQAKzvVefs02eQyAFiMGCnJQGP3BggiX07lkqWzZULf5CFeLhr37z5Z64rI1VvSrCN8fAZV/s1600/IMG_7317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmi5Tvy5LxadIYl_Ry3Wl_xTdzU_DbsY9Rd-U75Shoq7iVXBQkHXDGz80VKNWF-84O-nCQSQAKzvVefs02eQyAFiMGCnJQGP3BggiX07lkqWzZULf5CFeLhr37z5Z64rI1VvSrCN8fAZV/s640/IMG_7317.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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yea, we should!</div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-63391154969509016722017-02-21T20:57:00.000-05:002017-02-21T20:57:22.980-05:00horse of a different color ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJw-CQXLzwh_wBBo5aFL39PfNIU82B484Qrkam5wF1T1BFZvJu_IW39cCEd2GhjGdwmVRL7y0Eo-JbELbUCV8wlmRrMYhyvxFx_ZHBOhoO-iQGBkOwJMPsKvzI5qqnX_n1NlTQXWMbtoU/s1600/IMG_6550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJw-CQXLzwh_wBBo5aFL39PfNIU82B484Qrkam5wF1T1BFZvJu_IW39cCEd2GhjGdwmVRL7y0Eo-JbELbUCV8wlmRrMYhyvxFx_ZHBOhoO-iQGBkOwJMPsKvzI5qqnX_n1NlTQXWMbtoU/s640/IMG_6550.jpg" width="516" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">or should I say</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">deer of a different color</span></div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-54285270595371266652017-02-16T22:04:00.000-05:002017-02-16T22:04:40.145-05:00do you feel happy ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Be happy with what you have </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">and you will have plenty to be happy with. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">~</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span>I have discovered that I tread 'happy' with caution, fearful that if I get too comfortable with it the, 'other shoe will drop' so to speak. More superstitious than I would care to admit, I am hesitant to give it a shout out until well after the fact just to stay on the safe side. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> So as I sat down this evening contemplating whether to explore the computer for images to finally (as in FIN.A.LLY) wrap up the 2016 photo book, OR, take the shorter bus and simply pick one or two suitable photos to pop up on instagram, I was amused at the number of images I had dealing with cooking or food. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I had forgotten all the happy foods of 2016. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> New recipes, destinations, or fun outings with family and friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Good times. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Happy times.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEQCu5779oG3zdxXPULtyQsBbkR0_FpVy6fkUAnsEDXmHy7g5xF0KO6JWZ7mcVupFJ2dqyWpfcsrOVAJLtwwOrE5a6VpOTRsXpTwcE9dhKJfhFrWfu7cKuQNOKYH0wEAoxRvrHCp-E1Y9/s1600/IMG_1195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyEQCu5779oG3zdxXPULtyQsBbkR0_FpVy6fkUAnsEDXmHy7g5xF0KO6JWZ7mcVupFJ2dqyWpfcsrOVAJLtwwOrE5a6VpOTRsXpTwcE9dhKJfhFrWfu7cKuQNOKYH0wEAoxRvrHCp-E1Y9/s640/IMG_1195.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The fun breakfast at The Greenbrier with my husband, brother and sister-in-law. The food was good - getting away for a weekend to break from the winter humdrum was even better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">***</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrz0hZGsDTPX4jbJP1cgv_5abQhrK3MpEq-QSwNC1TWayQitbviazhmIYk-BlUuRqDG0Ra2_rc_WYAi__Nom6ggjArV9i9wfH2U8gljLLxroiIzlv-felfBChpo4SstTDR9bea65Vs6WK9/s1600/IMG_1356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrz0hZGsDTPX4jbJP1cgv_5abQhrK3MpEq-QSwNC1TWayQitbviazhmIYk-BlUuRqDG0Ra2_rc_WYAi__Nom6ggjArV9i9wfH2U8gljLLxroiIzlv-felfBChpo4SstTDR9bea65Vs6WK9/s640/IMG_1356.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Tea time at Intercontinental Park Lane in London, UK. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> One lump or two? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> or perhaps latte?
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iE-VE2jyPaqUwckrhlgeG8tXiNzcYZ6W-dF5YSwAtExIRlY5qDi2DycKZ9hi9bEkaNm5RNBsrztIAiGGsJD9vZSgPbnEvmL5WiRRGTWvvtVJ-UrLaCU27L4e4uFC8dZ9OGCOgIUk-Dcu/s1600/IMG_1355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iE-VE2jyPaqUwckrhlgeG8tXiNzcYZ6W-dF5YSwAtExIRlY5qDi2DycKZ9hi9bEkaNm5RNBsrztIAiGGsJD9vZSgPbnEvmL5WiRRGTWvvtVJ-UrLaCU27L4e4uFC8dZ9OGCOgIUk-Dcu/s640/IMG_1355.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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***</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ11wiAg24jARyHkHow4soSYf12fGSMKzpsaGApKqxII_LH8kpE1adJaevGM6pRJ09S2eaFytgeEmfOW2iJ2ZwnMbT_tXz8_jBfdZ1oYo1WjRvvxUbTbiUMCYpCiIGucD25g-gjt-1446w/s1600/IMG_4494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ11wiAg24jARyHkHow4soSYf12fGSMKzpsaGApKqxII_LH8kpE1adJaevGM6pRJ09S2eaFytgeEmfOW2iJ2ZwnMbT_tXz8_jBfdZ1oYo1WjRvvxUbTbiUMCYpCiIGucD25g-gjt-1446w/s640/IMG_4494.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Or there was the time we had delicious calamari at Brio Tuscan Grille at Tyson's Corner - celebrating our 'actual' anniversary.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvdiZufzTQqyPIaYlNH9CaLhNd_DgR26lf0Ys3zyUsiHv25uJ-pU8TJX6LazUfFVtNqUQnxcb12L4nVma2xLiJD8Geuj54KIy5GlA9Za0i1eQzFKWbWpow0pQa10TwOVWT-BPQIErahFN/s1600/IMG_4284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvdiZufzTQqyPIaYlNH9CaLhNd_DgR26lf0Ys3zyUsiHv25uJ-pU8TJX6LazUfFVtNqUQnxcb12L4nVma2xLiJD8Geuj54KIy5GlA9Za0i1eQzFKWbWpow0pQa10TwOVWT-BPQIErahFN/s640/IMG_4284.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And there was time time we went to the local flea market to find items for our son's first apartment and found these beauties in the farmers' market portion.
'Tie-dyed tomatoes'.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAsfzCmjeaup0Ody266Wd-PAGwydZD8UHCZlP6-6IGEhgLgVGugCARYVBzT3Fn8_wbmqjTvspne2r6xHFKK38BuInR6uyLwgB3TJpqVgWUK_kKI0ZxBcfOD3QzU9ucGc9s32D1ZTmClMe/s1600/DSC_5847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYAsfzCmjeaup0Ody266Wd-PAGwydZD8UHCZlP6-6IGEhgLgVGugCARYVBzT3Fn8_wbmqjTvspne2r6xHFKK38BuInR6uyLwgB3TJpqVgWUK_kKI0ZxBcfOD3QzU9ucGc9s32D1ZTmClMe/s640/DSC_5847.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We've had fun and enjoyed trying different meals with Blue Apron </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(but have put it on hold for a little while until I can get caught up with things).
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and Disney treats -
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-2014351301842047652017-01-21T22:43:00.001-05:002017-01-21T22:43:51.849-05:00it's what's for dinner ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZG581D4IHbVfDx8zWiefRG3FF7-nvsU0uaAhIqTbNso3MFMFJYkblHMaAOruXSXnGlWcJ0hmr0omChFfLEbT9MKp_bkl5janO9c9u2DIjaGbXpcdyMxjIytHRsuAJRl6xRL_g3pcc-Ywj/s1600/DSC_5826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZG581D4IHbVfDx8zWiefRG3FF7-nvsU0uaAhIqTbNso3MFMFJYkblHMaAOruXSXnGlWcJ0hmr0omChFfLEbT9MKp_bkl5janO9c9u2DIjaGbXpcdyMxjIytHRsuAJRl6xRL_g3pcc-Ywj/s640/DSC_5826.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I am thinking at one point or another I must have remarked that I would like to have some home cooked food in this crazy busy life of ours. Not another meal from another restaurant, I have become very disappointed with a good many of our regular stops where the service has gotten sloppy and the quality of food has become subpar. Limp and soggy flatbread and frozen celery being just two examples that come to mind. And y</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">es you read that right - FROZEN celery. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Who the crap freezes celery?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My husband apparently has grown tired of my sending food back or caving in and not eating my meal so he suggested it might be good to try one of these food services. After some research the decision was made to try Blue Apron. For someone who is an incredibly picky eater, he gets a lot of joy watching me try different foods and different restaurants.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Meal 1: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Seared Chicken and potatoes. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHe09UaZ6e7SI3QQs4gciXTlKKRcUn1FyQb-yEsmuzS_CcxxtgA0CR17_vlp6nbTjoIrV5METPynRY78H1SHEqnr-Yc8stpR4vDd5dM_ImAd1LWTXiFNwSJ3DlWjNOph6TeJlrM9pSH3FQ/s1600/CoffeeShop-Storyboard-19-apron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHe09UaZ6e7SI3QQs4gciXTlKKRcUn1FyQb-yEsmuzS_CcxxtgA0CR17_vlp6nbTjoIrV5METPynRY78H1SHEqnr-Yc8stpR4vDd5dM_ImAd1LWTXiFNwSJ3DlWjNOph6TeJlrM9pSH3FQ/s640/CoffeeShop-Storyboard-19-apron.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The chicken and potatoes were accompanied by kale and mushroom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Seared chicken is nothing new for me, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">mashed potatoes aren't either </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(though</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> I tend to bake my chicken more often these days </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and mashed potatoes are reserved for when I have a sore throat or holidays). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The directions were set out in manageable and easy to follow steps, and everything you needed was included except olive oil, salt and pepper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I enjoy kale for salads, but now I think I might have to cook it up with some mushrooms in the future. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To quote Rachael Ray - it was "delish".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Going into this we were curious how truly fresh the food would be or if there would be enough for 2 legit servings (even though in my case I will have the 2nd serving as a second dinner later in the week). So far I am pleasantly pleased with both the quality and quantity of food. Enough - not too much.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Blue Apron - it's what's for dinner (or at least it is for the next couple of weeks).</span></div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-33060500431151996432017-01-16T20:38:00.000-05:002017-01-16T20:38:16.385-05:00simple things ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwWqDoXZET-nB8W9xZytVOPn_AD084Wxw2jGtM58q5nUbC2eb-65IvLRTVg15Is2jobvuG8Wvku_GRNo_qwhn7g38Mt-fr4AzFwDsi7lj-CfXmJu3Ym-zcSv2xaq4X1EQLBim2Au6TDIx/s1600/DSC_5782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUwWqDoXZET-nB8W9xZytVOPn_AD084Wxw2jGtM58q5nUbC2eb-65IvLRTVg15Is2jobvuG8Wvku_GRNo_qwhn7g38Mt-fr4AzFwDsi7lj-CfXmJu3Ym-zcSv2xaq4X1EQLBim2Au6TDIx/s640/DSC_5782.jpg" width="565" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why have a ho-hum thumb drive when you can have a robot?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHxSr-yCyY6vc-43Q88ye7UXN3cYJzceVi4LnP-iDXKoghUfdc1yiprm9gRw0yZ_EHsXtRKDE4uJ7QwKtA4kAn3cv_N2kqBRLNdNZSA0cKkW18J2qGqah5cYoHlKJRDyyrD92Bky11edx/s1600/DSC_5786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHxSr-yCyY6vc-43Q88ye7UXN3cYJzceVi4LnP-iDXKoghUfdc1yiprm9gRw0yZ_EHsXtRKDE4uJ7QwKtA4kAn3cv_N2kqBRLNdNZSA0cKkW18J2qGqah5cYoHlKJRDyyrD92Bky11edx/s640/DSC_5786.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and look how cute they are together </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(plus the shinny fella actually earns his keep)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and you may ask - "seriously, has she nothing better to photography than an Amazon box statue standing with a robot thumb drive?"</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisu_qM5e20NdMsTjTFVzhHIreVC739KAOf42dNFXYPYRk9l59Bc4axTTkPWLPPuYkGmuBgP0JTi_4gOuGm1x1yf8wF9oembNb98eW4BLZwn_yr6DFqCZlgFVMptZ3PmoAu_rF5dQw6RX-_/s1600/DSC_5801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisu_qM5e20NdMsTjTFVzhHIreVC739KAOf42dNFXYPYRk9l59Bc4axTTkPWLPPuYkGmuBgP0JTi_4gOuGm1x1yf8wF9oembNb98eW4BLZwn_yr6DFqCZlgFVMptZ3PmoAu_rF5dQw6RX-_/s640/DSC_5801.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">nope - I've got him. Oscar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Possibly one of the most cooperative feline photo subjects in the house.</span></div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-85749862780872718242017-01-09T22:22:00.000-05:002017-01-09T22:22:46.526-05:00what you don't see on TV ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R-t10-F_0bGqb8lgGfPMKe0bREOVOb3jZLWM5BNV4HzKD3ZRGHaYlBmHCr-5x9VKbL3mjYBrTtsfqJrGzffwx1cVmeoESzLhHHkJlM2sghdJ375cC4i_x6z2SDEJ6yfJ6WBn2uv6FOt8/s1600/IMG_6062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2R-t10-F_0bGqb8lgGfPMKe0bREOVOb3jZLWM5BNV4HzKD3ZRGHaYlBmHCr-5x9VKbL3mjYBrTtsfqJrGzffwx1cVmeoESzLhHHkJlM2sghdJ375cC4i_x6z2SDEJ6yfJ6WBn2uv6FOt8/s640/IMG_6062.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The night before the Rose Parade we made our way to my husband's beloved Cheesecake Factory (still disappointed Penny left waitressing at CF to be a pharmaceutical sales rep --- for all you Big Bang Theory fans). We came across every variety of parade viewer. Folks with their benches, stack of chairs, inflatable couch/bed/floats. Sectioned off squares of the sidewalk that would for the next 18 hours become their domain. Some prepared to make it through the night in a sleeping bag, others with high tech propane heaters. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaQvF5XX7Lut0uvQ63ZtHtFM4921uSZamROfrhIVMQNPCADOwXBwb_yL4hu1LlQQ7fHvstZNOwtnCRwyD4wiwo9iW379SCSR9oLHwA51AYDeVMBoEZ8FsRg-OAAuEmp7OLQdHGl1MteyP/s1600/IMG_6064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaQvF5XX7Lut0uvQ63ZtHtFM4921uSZamROfrhIVMQNPCADOwXBwb_yL4hu1LlQQ7fHvstZNOwtnCRwyD4wiwo9iW379SCSR9oLHwA51AYDeVMBoEZ8FsRg-OAAuEmp7OLQdHGl1MteyP/s640/IMG_6064.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1GY40jIFVWiUhTs3kZYEzMKScrcKGeVP0z2fQbqoFsEN_6BIWUW-Rwwjuuj4TCrnJ5ZzK1iuhXa1csWjM-NlSemADcgrIeXh3zuxgz756y8WvQDQb0n-lPqIAzAHRaVWOefHkC5Tw9BH/s1600/IMG_6061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1GY40jIFVWiUhTs3kZYEzMKScrcKGeVP0z2fQbqoFsEN_6BIWUW-Rwwjuuj4TCrnJ5ZzK1iuhXa1csWjM-NlSemADcgrIeXh3zuxgz756y8WvQDQb0n-lPqIAzAHRaVWOefHkC5Tw9BH/s640/IMG_6061.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> What amazed me were the number with young (we're talking itty bitty) babies and dogs (of all sizes). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I love a parade as much as the next guy, but common sense people.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KYVLKluV3x11ZdAmM-E8hoeayUHfnjKJ7I96AMkv443pdW3QyKHHRP0ob2uhNcPE9_pgoSH5puwhAk8XBWdQsW3M3g3jz0txeGAXsaHqAwWHuZGLe3PFYTMuz4HWK081rucBMt1biG3V/s1600/IMG_6043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KYVLKluV3x11ZdAmM-E8hoeayUHfnjKJ7I96AMkv443pdW3QyKHHRP0ob2uhNcPE9_pgoSH5puwhAk8XBWdQsW3M3g3jz0txeGAXsaHqAwWHuZGLe3PFYTMuz4HWK081rucBMt1biG3V/s640/IMG_6043.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">FYI - no one brought their cat. Perhaps that says something about the sensibility of cat people. (tongue in cheek because while I am officially the neighborhood crazy cat lady --- qualified early for the crazy portion of that --- I love dogs every bit as much, they just haven't been in the cards as house pets goes). </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3TCi5F215nh1lgYnVZCaGE4icLjIaQc2IUjLRy0FPfV2HTqS7sCELBOu8a3cKRTD377x2bMOEAiblmx9mQKf2vmjz9sHEP3VWfZWvF08uWAj-OCaaOs7p_suG50FGvhgAAemXwhZhkSX/s1600/IMG_6034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA3TCi5F215nh1lgYnVZCaGE4icLjIaQc2IUjLRy0FPfV2HTqS7sCELBOu8a3cKRTD377x2bMOEAiblmx9mQKf2vmjz9sHEP3VWfZWvF08uWAj-OCaaOs7p_suG50FGvhgAAemXwhZhkSX/s640/IMG_6034.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and then there are the cars. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People in California are over the moon about cars and boy do they love to show it off.
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lowriders - not something you will see cruising down the local streets.
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And security - from bike patrol, foot patrol, to whatever these guys were. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As with just about anything, there is so much to the story than the main event </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and a parade (especially the 'granddaddy of em all') is no exception.</span></div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-63536463666553033872017-01-06T12:53:00.000-05:002017-01-06T12:53:46.949-05:00time travel ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">As we fret about the weather back home on the East Coast, snow and ice and flight delays reeking havoc on one child's return to Japan and the other child's travel to and from work - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">we (not so secretly) would rather just be hanging at the beach.
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My husband's ideal day at the beach is to simply find a bench and sit back and enjoy the melody of the waves crashing against the rocks, pounding the sand, with the occasional seagull chatter as they make their way to their next perch.
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I, on the other hand, can't wait to get to the sand to make my way around the bend where I can explore photo ops and inspect the water pools for urchins and starfish. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnIwjHVqbtfnD2h9SgsM1zjf_mwPimsyykBai0NZpF2DndnxtK2vBWFuwf5ymHodcJVxsHLvaWX5wCKHYK3hGscjyKP5M1ahbc2djDvZodsWJNlrLD0l0CGDYkyxZk_z3mi52Rs-DBkgi/s1600/DSC_5335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLnIwjHVqbtfnD2h9SgsM1zjf_mwPimsyykBai0NZpF2DndnxtK2vBWFuwf5ymHodcJVxsHLvaWX5wCKHYK3hGscjyKP5M1ahbc2djDvZodsWJNlrLD0l0CGDYkyxZk_z3mi52Rs-DBkgi/s640/DSC_5335.jpg" width="526" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Treasure Island in Laguna is top of my list of sightseeing each time I visit my sister; </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Laguna Beach, my go to for art, shopping, and food.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1EbdG4os_hLrqBunuFfM2qge7TLohhQSdb3PK-JNhpPL_ReQC9idouySOsFfZe_E-QBpG_-SgjxDckAqrMzYTtUoxcSyE69UxPAAOm8som6KOmSylC8JcU4pfg1CTQr3pa9qfM_VLA0c/s1600/IMG_6210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1EbdG4os_hLrqBunuFfM2qge7TLohhQSdb3PK-JNhpPL_ReQC9idouySOsFfZe_E-QBpG_-SgjxDckAqrMzYTtUoxcSyE69UxPAAOm8som6KOmSylC8JcU4pfg1CTQr3pa9qfM_VLA0c/s640/IMG_6210.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-27094913426947699042017-01-03T13:22:00.000-05:002017-01-03T14:19:32.677-05:002017 adventures and traditions ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Several years back I decided I wanted to make 'going to the Rose Parade' a reality so I conspired with my sister and coordinated with my husband and made it happen. The parade was on the bucket list; the time I spend with my sister finally seeing her world in California long overdue. The trip has become a bit of a tradition now and a new adventure every time.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7Xv6MYsW9xBzvVi3JuSmpbOdr7t4M3yV5dpstt6t9j5jZG3OlkYQ0DLaIQJHOkk1h8eFVKb8B6h8Zu0ioaeU00VUdo8hd7MSSCVB2dfgUUSC27PSKZjLyd01r_YAoyEZYqMNUDfM2iWZ/s1600/DSC_4535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="497" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB7Xv6MYsW9xBzvVi3JuSmpbOdr7t4M3yV5dpstt6t9j5jZG3OlkYQ0DLaIQJHOkk1h8eFVKb8B6h8Zu0ioaeU00VUdo8hd7MSSCVB2dfgUUSC27PSKZjLyd01r_YAoyEZYqMNUDfM2iWZ/s640/DSC_4535.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just as with everything when you get older, this year's parade seemed to go by faster. At one point I half expected the bands to break into a sprint in order to keep up with the floats and I'm fairly sure one of the rides nearly did a wheelie when the driver hit the gas. Of course there is the other side to this, as you get older you appreciate the quickness of the event if for no other reason than the sake of your bladder.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXKcwxTYksMwdujoZOAqqaCn0VVnBblrCbP6Kvao__-MidggT-S51spdnMU8nAn9Vitmuoo2oYnCjr8J6Z5SpldMUuU5RwI6tTghR5KZPBLGEvUdI0yEMqIxpU1_HGiMyVL2YIH_b_WWV/s1600/DSC_4780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="439" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXKcwxTYksMwdujoZOAqqaCn0VVnBblrCbP6Kvao__-MidggT-S51spdnMU8nAn9Vitmuoo2oYnCjr8J6Z5SpldMUuU5RwI6tTghR5KZPBLGEvUdI0yEMqIxpU1_HGiMyVL2YIH_b_WWV/s640/DSC_4780.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While I fully enjoyed the surfing dogs on the longest float in Rose Parade </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">history, I would have to say that the giraffe was probably my favorite.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0JmA7dEekxTdoFw4U2ZaG3ltxri7RkrvcmUPEBsYZq3BnJoEcMcmJ8hPGH8YwC-USef1y7ankZBEa_xQ3ibN3XAHaIiJhpDlwnI6IWXrwoq06BhHp2WLzeIfs78zzpecVbNiCI1YhitP/s1600/DSC_4786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd0JmA7dEekxTdoFw4U2ZaG3ltxri7RkrvcmUPEBsYZq3BnJoEcMcmJ8hPGH8YwC-USef1y7ankZBEa_xQ3ibN3XAHaIiJhpDlwnI6IWXrwoq06BhHp2WLzeIfs78zzpecVbNiCI1YhitP/s640/DSC_4786.jpg" width="427" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And the float that moved me the most was the one honoring the lost lives in the Orlando massacre. My heart ached for both the lost souls and their families at the same time beamed with pride at the survivors who stand proud and remind us that even after the darkest moment you must hold your head up and move forward. Also a reminder that senseless tragedy as this must be conquered with love and compassion.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIpWhQjPocjGOItiXEMKywM6PCZS6A8ZSf2xqg4irDTPRHPnRa7_F-_IqHvkN6CnnUYW0IfqIOQAuL1E2CEZWHlS3NOWmnCThMi9QDTyb2DLZXyUlM6RlP1E9DT2HUcJ9tiO4W_ReH-lu/s1600/DSC_4763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIpWhQjPocjGOItiXEMKywM6PCZS6A8ZSf2xqg4irDTPRHPnRa7_F-_IqHvkN6CnnUYW0IfqIOQAuL1E2CEZWHlS3NOWmnCThMi9QDTyb2DLZXyUlM6RlP1E9DT2HUcJ9tiO4W_ReH-lu/s640/DSC_4763.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Wishing everyone a Happy 2017. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Let the new adventures begin </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and the memories saved for prosperity </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">with wonderful and creative photographs.</span></div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-74714638499441432612016-12-12T22:12:00.000-05:002016-12-12T22:15:45.685-05:00 trimmings ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Along the line of this year's theme of 'non-breakable' only tree decor </div>
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there are a few items that made their way back from our trip to Europe.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-a86Rka_rsgdE-kd-_Bs4f62nZDAI0vEO01XzdT-gZUemnrjhh3KztFL1B_3R-t1HqzJ0GOBg_j4fw-odPFb3mkWM4uL2EVAixC5aBLiM813uZA0iFozWaEeu_9J8ixKq7ka19IYU59H/s1600/DSC_4407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-a86Rka_rsgdE-kd-_Bs4f62nZDAI0vEO01XzdT-gZUemnrjhh3KztFL1B_3R-t1HqzJ0GOBg_j4fw-odPFb3mkWM4uL2EVAixC5aBLiM813uZA0iFozWaEeu_9J8ixKq7ka19IYU59H/s640/DSC_4407.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and there is good reason for this (non-breakable) thing this year ...
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzDr6l59_mrjOV4k44tUPVZGrQxr3iLdV8QRp_qr0iVN_oeX4j5neYaQu0tj0P4fLzaGQvALXUfoO60Ncv24ZjA_5Sim4nJbVdDanMfARf9ZBSWeozcYFCD29DBEeL9OTsJAhRGY49jKK/s1600/DSC_4390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQzDr6l59_mrjOV4k44tUPVZGrQxr3iLdV8QRp_qr0iVN_oeX4j5neYaQu0tj0P4fLzaGQvALXUfoO60Ncv24ZjA_5Sim4nJbVdDanMfARf9ZBSWeozcYFCD29DBEeL9OTsJAhRGY49jKK/s640/DSC_4390.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">stinkers these two ...</span></div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-28282246634246036282016-12-05T22:38:00.002-05:002017-01-21T22:46:11.107-05:00in our house we take the holidays serious ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3ILXuEcP1dQx-HbwT1tE-q-5RWda6DalNapNFZLID7VPsPEklMR3uDWuWRQj3ixV3wMU7OP8QaIn1MkG-mUnzjkAvW32Nxt1zdEG7mwsCIMg-QehyMB93-luATOWiekdceNB-sgesSNE/s1600/IMG_5821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3ILXuEcP1dQx-HbwT1tE-q-5RWda6DalNapNFZLID7VPsPEklMR3uDWuWRQj3ixV3wMU7OP8QaIn1MkG-mUnzjkAvW32Nxt1zdEG7mwsCIMg-QehyMB93-luATOWiekdceNB-sgesSNE/s640/IMG_5821.jpg" width="417" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">all boxes are thoroughly inspected
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcj-Kap0WpzsJyJt4UkDv2kjmwEZA65FJaVRHCcCuDyE4WHErjqM8JVSa0DTCpthSQ1qnhVu6AYbE6HiLJYlTcja6iU_fARl-tWlB88pljPf90b5asmdm6F6Hb8Av40FljdFSElSZhukdQ/s1600/DSC_4377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcj-Kap0WpzsJyJt4UkDv2kjmwEZA65FJaVRHCcCuDyE4WHErjqM8JVSa0DTCpthSQ1qnhVu6AYbE6HiLJYlTcja6iU_fARl-tWlB88pljPf90b5asmdm6F6Hb8Av40FljdFSElSZhukdQ/s640/DSC_4377.jpg" width="427" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">sized up
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SGqWKUe9rW7HRJORvx_rUnLG5L3IJYeHfq2WYgZWwxdlRDtGhkoKcwTnrU1wBZwgrkCOGm61a0NlrbFJ83Fusmpd7DsCWMNvBKGEe5UAphBmy4Qqh2wd_c27_cCmH_9Tb-Kd45vUBtBC/s1600/DSC_4376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3SGqWKUe9rW7HRJORvx_rUnLG5L3IJYeHfq2WYgZWwxdlRDtGhkoKcwTnrU1wBZwgrkCOGm61a0NlrbFJ83Fusmpd7DsCWMNvBKGEe5UAphBmy4Qqh2wd_c27_cCmH_9Tb-Kd45vUBtBC/s640/DSC_4376.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and wrapping details a must </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(stripes are a bit off with this one)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vCnaLVJD0DWOiubUnoY1UjsVBB6653RAUNPmJgKwo4J7GqmBwO3NkD9hkewfpT3Uy22a6anQ5VYGryVoNVHs7XbnuZMFhLO07VPnXKEEyJfKcFfLnX62NjnCOTgCa2-7p-txqw4nbhxe/s1600/match.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vCnaLVJD0DWOiubUnoY1UjsVBB6653RAUNPmJgKwo4J7GqmBwO3NkD9hkewfpT3Uy22a6anQ5VYGryVoNVHs7XbnuZMFhLO07VPnXKEEyJfKcFfLnX62NjnCOTgCa2-7p-txqw4nbhxe/s640/match.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of all the memes currently on Facebook with a picture of life without a cat versus life with a cat, there should be one that includes wrapping packages. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Ike has this thing for tape ... and paper ... and boxes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Oh yea, he is all about Christmas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PS - Bows go on the package on its way out the house. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(you cat owners know what I'm talking about)</span></div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-9554331748804069602016-11-26T11:29:00.003-05:002016-11-26T11:32:08.169-05:00a few of my favorite things ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwxA3HSoXLChBbFEYxqbLqjL-JsTHDiDJ-g8pGMhrIoNX-pY0qhhzMndGs7gGBX-1U_6Jherz8pyaXYCc6D2Ry0kO8LzH1ifeGKSh3hyphenhyphenZOwm-Kaar5ELS4rgp_LBAbNf2BpxtjXWn-JPk/s1600/kitten-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSwxA3HSoXLChBbFEYxqbLqjL-JsTHDiDJ-g8pGMhrIoNX-pY0qhhzMndGs7gGBX-1U_6Jherz8pyaXYCc6D2Ry0kO8LzH1ifeGKSh3hyphenhyphenZOwm-Kaar5ELS4rgp_LBAbNf2BpxtjXWn-JPk/s640/kitten-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Brown paper packages tied up with strings</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>These are a few of my favorite things. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><i>These are a few of my favorite things
My Favorite Things</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN LIL RICHARD RODGERS</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1Sv5NzApBJCji3nXvcTpnUl2pZNruKKSI9MFjQKEt6GoKBNoG1Hv5vC4ItdemLb5EtWVUv9qWJ09vTYCtHn19uEzRHlVXkRjwZE1J8fXlWlCP4vAijgMcgsDxEWV1Glej13SbY_xNMlW/s1600/kitten-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS1Sv5NzApBJCji3nXvcTpnUl2pZNruKKSI9MFjQKEt6GoKBNoG1Hv5vC4ItdemLb5EtWVUv9qWJ09vTYCtHn19uEzRHlVXkRjwZE1J8fXlWlCP4vAijgMcgsDxEWV1Glej13SbY_xNMlW/s640/kitten-3.jpg" width="454" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you have followed this blog for any length of time you are well versed on our history of acquiring a herd of feral cats. Try as I might I have never been successful in 'friending' the kittens, but that changed with this last litter. Sitting in the living room I found myself questioning my hearing because despite it being nearly winter, I heard kittens crying. The mother had placed them in an empty plastic trash container remaining out back after the end of summer clean up. </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I laid the container over so it would serve more as a shelter than a receptacle to collect water, and started hatching an idea of a new approach to this whole circle of life situation. Unlike earlier litters, this trio came just as cold/winter was to set in so I knew I would have to be more aggressive with making sure they were sheltered. I was also determined to get them comfortable with human contact, general rules of 'don't touch' be damned.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Several weeks in and after retrieving one from the pool area multiple times the consensus was reached that they were old enough to remove from mom and relocate in our laundry room.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXJmxdqIaFmETZs1-Z9yu0imv0RHCA3dFZiCaNV2ZCt-Ef2dZp1yG1cvfuGQGuVmZ217RRlS1DhlJa-Afp0pYDNHs-N85oFvr4xmA4YsSMC_7HW-cjOZ0f-aMIX2_U7_tprglGng5feiT/s1600/DSC_3966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXJmxdqIaFmETZs1-Z9yu0imv0RHCA3dFZiCaNV2ZCt-Ef2dZp1yG1cvfuGQGuVmZ217RRlS1DhlJa-Afp0pYDNHs-N85oFvr4xmA4YsSMC_7HW-cjOZ0f-aMIX2_U7_tprglGng5feiT/s640/DSC_3966.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some among the ranks were curious.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fBWYKAkvYkSzJL1jm9H3iGs3xdmCeLAoaLbqfa0Ohqg3YamzNDcP2S3D6K81e_mwU9hpG2Bobsh3IkshYnhV2ory6V-Oj5n8PhS1xMXVr0F_gIr2_yXDOEE3sYOFjAgYRCOoxakW5pG5/s1600/DSC_3937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8fBWYKAkvYkSzJL1jm9H3iGs3xdmCeLAoaLbqfa0Ohqg3YamzNDcP2S3D6K81e_mwU9hpG2Bobsh3IkshYnhV2ory6V-Oj5n8PhS1xMXVr0F_gIr2_yXDOEE3sYOFjAgYRCOoxakW5pG5/s640/DSC_3937.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Some were not.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nmum7RELQEyXQ1D_aHQgOZY-puMD5nDBaGmldV8aH8QKmdfXX_R34Bs3NqM_t8pcjlQcnXn5fDDis3NPDkhPfu5RKV4TSrZy4y9uU1dMrR8_0XRHFsZhPGKfSsRZ8xNwm1Kl40a6JqUV/s1600/DSC_3960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nmum7RELQEyXQ1D_aHQgOZY-puMD5nDBaGmldV8aH8QKmdfXX_R34Bs3NqM_t8pcjlQcnXn5fDDis3NPDkhPfu5RKV4TSrZy4y9uU1dMrR8_0XRHFsZhPGKfSsRZ8xNwm1Kl40a6JqUV/s640/DSC_3960.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The cute level simply over the top.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMxAar9xmt4XhEKzqai-zFNLYOXdi3ztR_yxA4CSjFDoZG8Degjrg8VrAlByk3Ip7rcNaNEpPIjngnJw9ZT6VwXRqW6AvD_CQ85ObF5VQ1bbFVN0YiPuyP61YqyccPEFOZSz0mr0CQvsu/s1600/kitten-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMxAar9xmt4XhEKzqai-zFNLYOXdi3ztR_yxA4CSjFDoZG8Degjrg8VrAlByk3Ip7rcNaNEpPIjngnJw9ZT6VwXRqW6AvD_CQ85ObF5VQ1bbFVN0YiPuyP61YqyccPEFOZSz0mr0CQvsu/s400/kitten-1.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">And much to my relief, homes were able to be found for all</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1_pqtZteAovttINAmrGv7M9y9sc2EcHEWUbpgMEbC5daoTri_0W7DtnvR4U2lKuHCpfWYTkJHQ9f7WaOetj8NUo6IY2_XFDAs-xnUoA7URSWo8Id8SarPq21THgT_0k21swCOQUhjwvk/s1600/DSC_4334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1_pqtZteAovttINAmrGv7M9y9sc2EcHEWUbpgMEbC5daoTri_0W7DtnvR4U2lKuHCpfWYTkJHQ9f7WaOetj8NUo6IY2_XFDAs-xnUoA7URSWo8Id8SarPq21THgT_0k21swCOQUhjwvk/s640/DSC_4334.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">yea, a few of my favorite things!</span><br />
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-87760485988633990022016-11-24T15:20:00.002-05:002016-11-24T15:20:44.304-05:00over the hills and through the woods ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbfFKaPjIt-kqJtjbUtFFKkmRPJoA0v3m6tc_ceiH7IX6TAFirvvh5l2E9Fu7XnQYZinzPEjT4c0Jc9KsE3KNPH6wM9ARFPR6auiKuoyrSUdvXJ6ISF_V1ReMgyVhZgru-e0E10QKT88g/s1600/DSC_1950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbfFKaPjIt-kqJtjbUtFFKkmRPJoA0v3m6tc_ceiH7IX6TAFirvvh5l2E9Fu7XnQYZinzPEjT4c0Jc9KsE3KNPH6wM9ARFPR6auiKuoyrSUdvXJ6ISF_V1ReMgyVhZgru-e0E10QKT88g/s640/DSC_1950.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Happy Thanksgiving Day.</div>
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Just when I thought I had exhausted my trove of pictures from our trip in April - yes, April, </div>
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I came to realize that travel photography is not based on the perfect pose, </div>
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but rather on capturing the spirit of the moment and the magic of the location.</div>
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This holiday weekend in America will hopefully remind everyone how blessed we are to pack our bags and head over the hills and through the woods, </div>
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where we may break bread with family and friends</div>
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and shop till we drop.</div>
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Have a blessed and safe holiday.</div>
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5511981110494089272.post-91175370017796570952016-11-09T22:00:00.000-05:002016-11-10T08:06:32.611-05:00got game ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA334DWFoEpNH-1JfrxvOs9uKLA20ZhMpQEf6Yzd6bSRyRRP96ZTbDaCK3No32G0G9Kx6p7WtRQa7r8gqwvwE3so-TUPrZopqhHMfUL3lId2s7dZkAdA1YuNOQS53djuqUuuIbun7d7GS8/s1600/DSC_3783.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA334DWFoEpNH-1JfrxvOs9uKLA20ZhMpQEf6Yzd6bSRyRRP96ZTbDaCK3No32G0G9Kx6p7WtRQa7r8gqwvwE3so-TUPrZopqhHMfUL3lId2s7dZkAdA1YuNOQS53djuqUuuIbun7d7GS8/s640/DSC_3783.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">and now we must all come together and play. together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">be gone with the idle threats to take your ball and go to ... say canada. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">rise above the name calling, belittling, </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">widespread assertions and labeling </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">(it only comes across as condescending, bullying and profiling). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before you take a wide brush and paint everyone who didn't see things as you did as being bigoted, prejudiced, sexist, homophobic, antiquated, or ignorant; remember the majority of these people are more than a political affiliation. They are family, neighbors, colleagues, and friends. People who simply voted for a candidate or political agenda that better addressed what they felt was needed in our country, or in their life. Know that part of the privilege of voting is accepting that sometimes your candidate doesn't prevail. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Become more involved if you feel strongly to the contrary of the elected result. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Be the change you want to see in the world. (<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Gandhi</span></i>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Also, appreciate that winning isn't a free pass to voice your inner hate for anyone. The majority vote was not to advance bigotry, prejudice, sexism, homophobia or intolerance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If I have done anything right as a parent, I hope I have successfully taught both of my children tolerance, compassion, and respect. I am proud that both felt confident enough to find their own voice in this election rather than feel restrained to the views or beliefs of their father, me, or peer pressure. Growing up in a household with one parent a staunch democrat, the other a steadfast republican, we learned to live, love, and survive together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Only when we work together do any of us win.
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Nickihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17236806773789677957noreply@blogger.com3