Wind!

 I found the Saturday Photo Hunt. What fun! 

There would be no flight for birds without the wind underneath their wings

 Last weekend, I knew when the flock of birds would come because they're loud.  I can hear them through my earplugs.  It was an exciting time for our two hairless rat terrier. They get so excited every time the birds flew over.  It was happening throughout the day. I never did figure out what kind of birds they are, but they're fun to watch.

bird migration over my backyard last weekend

one of the wind vanes near Sweetwater, Texas

December 25 was a windy, snowy day to drive down from Amarillo

Straight our of Pedernales Falls State Park

It is difficult to capture my oldest two children in picture because they're always on the go.  We let them loose in the trails here.  They loved it.  I was just a tad worried about flash flood, but it was pretty safe while we were there.  These are my entry for SOOC Sunday.

at the swimming hole

To be honest, I was a bit freaked out when we arrived. You can see how that area is free of vegetation.  There's some dribble of waters.  I made sure to checked if there were heavy rains around the area.  I was afraid of flash flood. An uncle of mine died from flash flood and his body was found over 15 miles from where he died.

at the falls in the no-swimming area

My oldest two children, ages 15 and 14 went clambering up and down the rocks and were on the other side.  There was no cell phone signal here, and I was worried that if someone were to bash their head on the rocks, I wouldn't be able to reach an emergency help. Still, you can see how it is grand and beautiful.  It is even more impressive in person.

the drop form this rock to the water is about 10-15 feet, I think

The water was clear and cold. My son loved it. This is not the swimming area. We drove about 2 miles down stream and the younger kids splashed around there.

my baby who loved the cool waters

Research Again Or Not

I could talk about the rain. I certainly have a lot of those today.  But it has cleared for now.  I could talk about the migrating birds, but they have gone on to another people's yard and perching on somebody's trees. Besides there's no letter "r" in that, except for in the middle of the word, "bird."  This is Alphabet Thursday, and my late post should really contain the correct letter.

the migrating birds over my yard...this wasn't the think of it

I could also talk about my blooming red roses, but I feel like I don't deserve to brag about it.  I haven't watered them in years! Three to be exact, but they keep growing, although not as prosperous as some roses which has been watered.

took this with my iPhone also...I love the water in it...from the rain

What I have plenty of is a mountain of researched cases I need to mold and shape into a coherent and hopefully another A-grade trial brief.  But picture of printed researched cases are so boring.  I have an outline, but I haven't ready organized it.  I am going to do that right after I post this one.  Instead, I am going to talk about my baby. My fifth child. He turned seven today.  He loves red and green.  Most of his shirts that he picked for himself are either red or green.  Here he is a week ago when we tried out the new Burger King down the street.

Solo by Jill Mansell

I have not really sat down and enjoyed uninterrupted reading since, I started law school.  However, Jill Mansell's book is not one of those you can put down.  I am usually smart enough to not pick up one until I know for sure I have nothing "that" important.  But, Saturday night, I was browsing through my Jill Mansell shelf and saw my copy of SOLO.  I picked it up and read the first line.  That was 10 PM, and the next thing I know, it was Sunday at 7AM.  There I was, wiping my happy tears of joy and I am sure a sappy smile.

I was supposed to be researching cases for my premise liability trial brief!

Anyway, that's how engrossing a Jill Mansell book can get.  I noticed that there's a title there that I do not own, A WALK IN THE PARK.  I am going to buy myself a copy before going to bed. I am looking forward to reading it, after my finals in May 11.

Just in case I am not clear, Jill Mansell is awesome!


From the author's site:

When Tessa Duvall, a struggling artist, reluctantly agreed to accompany her best friend Holly to a party at the elegant Charrington Grange Hotel, she had every intention of sneaking off early. For parties full of strangers bored the knickers off Tessa and this one proved to be no exception - until she encountered Ross Monahan, whose wicked reputation was as high profile as the hotel he owned and ran with such panache. But whilst Holly set about ensnaring his reluctant brother Max, Tessa simply accepted Ross for what he was, a sensational one-night stand...until she realised, weeks later, that one-night stands can have far-reaching consequences...

 

SOOC Sunday

I love taking pictures with my iPhone 5. I think the only thing better is to have DSLR in an iPhone 5 package. I do not like lugging around those big cameras, even though they take wonderful pictures for framing. Still, I'm pretty happy with my iPhone 5. These pictures were taken last February at twilight when my kids and I got out of a movie. I cannot recall the movie. This particular circus comes to town 6-10 times a year.  This is my entry for Straight Out of the Camera Sunday.  The best kind of picture there is.

I find that this newest iPhone takes better pictures in the dark.  Still, any kind of motion at all will end up in a blurry picture.  But, if I hold my breath and take a shot, I get these ones below.

A ride I would never try...it can only end with my hurling contents of my stomach

another one of those rides I could never do. In fact, anything with circular-like motion is out of the question even if
the circle is a big loop, somehow, my guts will know and will protest.

Qualms About Nature

I took my older two kids to a hike last Sunday. It was a refreshing hike.  The trails were challenging in places, but it had plenty of easy intervals that allowed me recover my breath.  I wasn't worried so much about breaking an ankle, but about the "nature" that's around us.  There are signs everywhere that it was also "poisonous" snake habitat.  So, despite my "qualms" about nature, I had lots of fun.  This is my first alphabet Thursday post.

my son at one of the bridge spanning little creeks

also just one of the numerous "nature will kill you" signs

the last 3rd of this interesting descent

Tools for Search

Photo courtesy of my kids who enjoy playing that Pig game

There's a new search engine in town.  It is a efficient information gathering tool.  For example, if you search for martin hanaka, it showed this person's impressive employment history.  He used to be the chairman and chief executive officer of Golfsmith, The Sports Authority, the Boys and Girls Club of America among others.  It seems like this site would be a good place to vet out prospective employees.  It appears to be a good resource. Take note of it.

Engrossing!

I thought we would stop by for an hour and go on to Pedernales Falls State Park.  How wrong I was! My children and my husband loved this place. Three hours was not enough time to look and read every single display.  I was so bummed that I forgot to examine the "disturbing" images room.  I am definitely coming back just so I can check that room out, and sit and watch the videos.

Savings for the Future

We stopped by the Military Forces Museum in Austin during our spring break family trip.  I saw a collection of silver that the thirty-ninth (I think) used during World War Two.  It made me think that I should buy silver bullion for the family coffers.  I mean, money can fluctuate in value, and it might even become worthless at some point.  However, a silver will always be a silver.  I'm just saying.  I have some silver items in my house, mostly spoons and frames and goblets.  I think it might be a wise investment.  Certainly better than risking money in the stock market where it could crash on a regular basis.

Weekend in Black and White

I look forward to this meme, the weekend in black and white. I used the photoscape editor to convert my images in black and white.  I was not near my iPhone. I like the iPhone editors, but I think this one is fine...still, I like my black and white in charcoal-dark...but it's the best that I know how to do with photoscape.  Have a fantastic weekend, y'all!

the skies at Valley Art Gallery

My oldest son, we're getting ready to go walking now

a statue on the trail, I forgot her name

Straight out of The Canyon

Oh, I found another picture meme. It's SOOC, which is my favorite kind of pictures! I took these pictures with my iPhone 5 from our December 2012 trip.  What the pictures did not show is that less than 24 hours after we were at the canyons, it snowed about 2-4 inches in there.  Glad we made it and were able to climb around the canyon.

Straight Out Of Palu Duro Canyon, Texas

Straight Out Of some fallen trees

Straight Out Of a dead tree

Under His Command by Christine Cayne

This is a fantastic erotica and an even better love story. I think I downloaded this for free at amazon kindle.

Jamie and Rickie met and had one incredible sex. She thought that was it, but she got pregnant. They did use condom, but there it is. They got married.

He's a fireman eager to please her. She was bound for law school until the pregnancy. Now, they have to work through their issues. In the meantime, they get to explore the limits of their sexuality as a couple.

Like I said, a fantastic tale.

Aluminum Benches

It's soccer season again.  I wish the school would invest in better sets of  aluminum benches for all those mommy enjoying the game.  I checked out the website and found this laminate table. It can seat more than a dozen people.  That seems like a nice outdoors picnic table for my family of seven.  The benches sold her are galvanized, designed to withstand athletic wear and tear. This is a perfect alternative to those wood benches which could sometimes have splinters.  Either way, I cannot wait for soccer season to start.

Scramble With Friends

Do you play scramble with friends?  It's like an advance version of Boggle.  I love it.  However, I rarely break into the 100-words found.  I like playing this game.  Sometimes, I find myself stealing half an hour of a much needed sleep to play.  I guess my time would be better used outlining and reading case books, but I need the break.

I wonder though, if I will ever reach the 100+ words found at every round!  Sometimes, I find the highest word, but drats if I know the meaning or even recognized most of the words they have in there.  Do you play?

Perspective, My Darling!

I took this picture with my iPhone when my daughter and I went walking a while back.  I like to take pictures, but I had not read one single photography manual.  That might be the reason why my husband would say..."Darling, shouldn't you give it perspective? Just to see the size of the object of your picture."

I try to, but I would forgot.   For instance, this flower I think is the size of a quarter.  But now, I am not so sure because, well, I have nothing to compare it to.  I should have listened to my husband and took an "establishing" shot.  I never do that also.  But I have to admit, I enjoy how this one came out.  Perhaps, I should check out and read one book about photography or picture taking if I am going to take so many of them.  Do you have any suggestion?

Cobalt Men's Ring

My husband does not have to wear a wedding band. It is a tradition in most religious Jewish couple that men do not have to wear a ring. They do anyway, but they do not have to. My husband tried to wear a ring, but when he is working, it becomes dangerous to do so. He needs a right that is easy to put on as well as to take off. I think that scott kay cobalt, like the one pictured above, is just the thing. I like the color. It would match my wedding/engagement ring set. I have titanium and gold entwined. I did not like the titanium in my band because it got scratched. However, it is so strong, I do not have to worry about my stone falling off. This ring has elegant design, so my husband can go to work and hang out in fundraiser dinners without having to worry about it. Not that he would. He is that sort of person who is comfortable with his person.

My First Macro Monday

I found this macro Monday.  It sounds like fun. I have exams on Monday at 6PM.  I think I'm reading, but I think I will work on more problems on future interest in land.  It gets murky after a bit.

Btw, my husband bought me three rose bush last Wednesday.  I dug the hole on the ground today.  I hope to get it planted by tomorrow.  I hope it grows and that my dogs won't dig it up.  They get so curious.  It looks like its going to be a beautiful flower.  I have roses in my yard.  I have not trim them in years. I should. And soon because they have such bright lovely flowers when I take care of them.

a tulip at Walmart

a flower at Tom Thumb

the pattern on my stockings

Function and Accessories

I get to wear sunglasses all year round in Texas. No matter how gray the day might be, the sun will always shine before three days are out. When you are required to wear sunglasses as a necessity, it is an added bonus when it can also act as an accessory like this arnette sunglasses on top.  My daughter likes yellow lately.  I found some insanely yellow shirt I had when I used to wear size extra small.  I gave it to her and I bet she wanted this pair of shades to go with it. 

The Cracked Slipper [Kindle Edition] by Stephanie Alexander

Get yours free for a limited time (click here)

This book sounds interesting.  I already got my copy and will listen to it later. Thank goodness for my Kindle voice reader.  It's a treat for a long drive.

Amazon book description:

When Eleanor Brice unexpectedly wins the heart of Gregory Desmarais, Crown Prince of Cartheigh, she's sure she's found her happily-ever-after. Unfortunately, Prince Charming has a loose grip on his temper, a looser grip on his marriage vows, and a tight grip on the bottle.

Eight years of mistreatment, isolation and clandestine book learning hardly prepare Eleanor for life at Eclatant Palace, where women are seen, not heard. According to Eleanor's eavesdropping parrot, no one at court appreciates her unladylike tendency to voice her opinion. To make matter worse, her royal fiancé spends his last night of bachelorhood on a drunken whoring spree. Before the ink dries on her marriage proclamation Eleanor realizes that she loves her husband's best friend, former soldier Dorian Finley.

Eleanor can't resist Dorian's honesty, or his unusual admiration for her intelligence, and soon both are caught in a dangerous obsession. She drowns her confusion in charitable endeavors, but the people's love can't protect her from her feelings. When a magical crime endangers the bond between unicorns, dragons, and the royal family, a falsely accused Eleanor must clear her own name to save her life. The road toward vindication will force a choice between hard-won security and an impossible love.

The Cracked Slipper is a book club friendly fairytale retelling in the vein of Gregory Maguire, with a dash of romance. Set in a pseudo-renaissance, corset-and-petticoats enchanted kingdom, The Cracked Slipper brings a magical twist to women's fiction.