Water Dragon Weekly Sunday Post: Landscape

The top of the Keweenaw Peninsula allows one a broad view.  The landscape of  undulating hills,  ponds, fir and deciduous forests,  and the coastline seems to go on forever in its beauty.   In addition, Lake Superior’s vastness adds to the feeling that one can see forever.

I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape. Something waits beneath it; the whole story doesn’t show.  ~Andrew Wyeth

Fall begins on the Keweenaw Peninsula's landscape.

Thanks for viewing my landscape….

Judy

All text and images are copyright © 2002-2012 and are the exclusive property of Judy Johnson (unless otherwise indicated). All Rights Reserved. All Images are protected under United States and International copyright laws. None of the images on this site are in the Public Domain.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Indulge

The Red-bellied Woodpecker indulges himself at our bird feeder!  

The Red-bellied Woodpecker originally hailed from the southeastern U.S., but has expanded his range to include all eastern states, including  the northern states.  The Red-bellied Woodpecker likes to hang out in wooded areas and near wetlands.  Like most woodpeckers, the Red-bellied is helpful to the environment by eating wood-boring  insects and plain old insect pests.  The male has a red crown and nape, a buff colored chest and a red patch on the abdomen.  They also have black and white striped feathers, giving them the nickname: “Zebraback”.

The Red-bellied Woodpecker at our feeder.

 

Rummaging around in the feeder opening!

 

Can you hear me now?

One of the things I love to observe is how the woodpecker uses his feet to hang on.  It’s not as easy for him, at his size of 10 inches. Sometimes he seems to hold on to the feeder opening, and sometimes he holds on to the post.  He’s so large he struggles trying to get the food, but he manages!  You can tell the feeder is swinging wildly due to his weight.   And I was amazed that I was able to get some clear photos!

Food, glorious food! A happy woodpecker indulges!

 

Learn more about the Red-bellied Woodpecker here. (Cornell Lab of Ornithology)

Thanks for visiting me!
Judy
All text and images are copyright © 2002-2012 and are the exclusive property of Judy Johnson (unless otherwise indicated). All Rights Reserved. All Images are protected under United States and International copyright laws. None of the images on this site are in the Public Domain.

The Academy of Blog Awards!

Yes indeed, it’s Award time!  In fact, it’s past time!  I’m late giving out these wonderful awards that were so graciously bestowed upon me by my blogger friends.  Please bear with me while I give out FIVE awards!

If you are nominated for an award, or receive an award,  you can choose to accept it.  If you accept it, you may choose to pass it on.  These awards are given to you because you have shown characteristics that are desirable as an “author/creator” of a blog,  and for the message your blog presents to the blog community and the world. 

I appreciate all those who have visited my blog, chosen to follow me, commented or “liked” a post.  I am grateful for every one of you!  You give me the confidence to try new things, to polish my skills, and to keep on posting. Thank you so much.  Judy
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Hope Unites Globally HUG Award

“People do not have to give up or compromise their own religious, spiritual, or political beliefs to qualify for the Hope Unites Globally HUG Award©.  They qualify for the HUG Award© when, without bias or prejudice, they use their resources and gifts to make the world a better place for everyone.”

“Those who receive the HUG Award© may paste a copy of the original
HUG Award© image into an Image widget on their website or blog
by simply copying and pasting the following image URL
into an Image widget:   

http://hopesfortoday.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/hug-award1.png.“

Please do follow this link for more information on the award.  This award was created by Connie @A Hope For Today.
I’d like to thank Amira and Jackie for giving me this award.  I am honored to accept it and happily pass it on to spread the word about Hope for our World.  Amira and Jackie are fantastic bloggers with heart and spirit.  Click on their names to visit their blogs.  You will certainly enjoy it!

Thank you for making the world a better place through your blogs!

My nominees for the HUG Award:
Sheila 
Stefano
Andy1076

Betty R

misselsie 

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The Awesome Blog Content Award               

Thank you, Amira and Elyas for giving me this awesome award!  I am quite humbled to receive it, especially from creative writers such as the two of you!  Please do click on their names to visit their incredible blogs!
You will stand in awe, as I have, as you read their work. 

I appreciate all those who have visited my blog, chosen to follow me, commented or “liked” a post.  I appreciate every one of you!  You give me the confidence to try new things, to polish my skills, and to keep on posting. Thank you so much.

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Rules for this award:

1. There is no limit to how many fellow bloggers you pass this on to.  You may post the ABC sign on your blog.
2. Share some things about you, but alphabetically, just a word or two starting with each letter of the alphabet.

26 Things About Me in ABC order: 
A: Airhead.  lol
B: Beaches… serenity and peace~ could sit all day on a beach.
C: Chocolate addict
D: Digital photography~
E: Electronics…love ‘em… am techno-disadvantaged at times…
F: Family~my heart and soul….my loves.  And Friends too~
G: Greek food! Yum….gyros, feta, tzatziki sauce
H: Humor…I love to laugh until tears run down my cheeks~
I: Interested in what you have to say~
J: Jazzy Judy…love smooth jazz
K: Kind
L: I love everything & everyone~
M: Michigan, Pure Michigan! Have you been here?
N: Nasty hair.  Comes out of my head curly,  frizzy, you name it.  Have a love/hate relationship with it.
O:  Olives…black and green.  Eat them right from the can. yep!
P: Paris love! Mais oui!  French speaking (un peu)~ plz don’t converse with me. lol
Q: Fave quote…describes me best: “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.”
~Winston Churchill
R: Repurposing:  Giving new life to an old object/piece of furniture, etc.
S: snowshoes, skis, swimming & SUNSHINE!
T: Travel~anywhere!
U: United States of America~we have our problems…but I support & love our beautiful country.
V: Vintage anything!
W: Workout mantra: “I work out because I know I would’ve been the first to die in the Hunger Games.”
X: Cougar XR-7 Fire Engine Red convertible…first hot car! Miss that baby!
Y: Yoga girl
Z: Zentangler

 Here are my nominees for the ABC Award:

Elisa

Kate

Adriana 

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Genuine Blogger Award

I received this award from Amira!  Thank you Amira, I’m honored to receive this award from you!   Please click here to go to Amira’s blog.  You’ll be enchanted by her poetry, videos, stories and photos.  And you’ll get a lovely peek into life in the Maldives.  Sun, turquoise waters, sandy beaches, thatched roofs and glorious colors.  You’ll love her blog!

I haven’t heard about any rules for this award.  If you wish, you may post the Genuine Blogger Award sign on your blog page.

I like to pass it on and I am assuming I can, to any number of people.
The bloggers I chose, without doubt and without question qualify for the Genuine Award 

 Genuine Blogger Award recipients:

 nitzus

 Jake

 David

Maggie

 96arley

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ONE LOVELY BLOG AWARD

Thank you, Nalaik Panda for honoring me with this Lovely Blog Award!   I will work hard to keep my blog “lovely”!

Nalaik Panda has an awesome blog.  I know you will enjoy his humor, his writing and his expertise on sports.  Click here to see his blog!

There are no rules for the Lovely Blog Award.  Just enjoy it and bask in the love of your fellow bloggers.  If you choose to pass it on, you can share it with as many as you wish.  If you want, you may post the Lovely Blog sign on your blog page.

My nominations for the Lovely Blog award are:

 Dianne

 Olive

Colleen

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Candle Lighter Award

The award given to me by Amira.  It was originally created by Kate.
I recommend you visit Kate’s page for more info on it.
Please make a point of visiting Amira’s blog.   She has extraordinary poetry, stories, videos and peeks at her lovely homeland in the Maldives.   Thank you, Amira, for giving me this wonderful award.  To spread light into the darkness and around the world is such a lovely thought.

 You may give the Candle Lighter Award to as many people as you desire.  There are no other rules to do.  Your blog was nominated because your blog shows encouragement, light and optimism. Spreading the light around the world is the goal. If you wish, you may post the Candle Lighter Award sign on your blog page.

My nominees are:

Igo My Way

Jim R

Zelmare

For everyone reading this….if you’ve made it this far ….please click on the nominated blog names and visit them.  They are all awesome bloggers.
Thanks for reading!
Judy 

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Too early!

  Even though the Dwarf Snow Iris is an early spring bloomer, February is far too early for it to bloom in the north!

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February is much too early even for the classy Snow Iris,
Who often blooms amidst pockets of snow.
But this year has been different.
She slept soundly under the snow blanket
During the sub zero weather and the freezing
Temperatures that sent subliminal messages
Telling her to stay low, it’s not time yet.
But then something curious happened.
The sun began to shine more often
Than is usual in these parts during
The cold winters.
The sun warmed the earth and sent
A message to the Snow Iris that it was time
To awaken, and start the struggle to emerge.
When she finally made it to the surface,
Exhausted, what was there to greet her?
It was none other than wind, rain, snow
And freezing temperatures!
Now, what was the Snow Iris to do?
She is not one to balk, wilt or give up.
She stands tall against the message
That came too early.
Giving us all Hope that we, too, can
Weather the storms of life.

 

 

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Good night friends….

Judy 

All text and images are copyright © 2002-2012 and are the exclusive property of Judy Johnson (unless otherwise indicated). All Rights Reserved. All Images are protected under United States and International copyright laws. None of the images on this site are in the Public Domain.

Friends Don’t Let Friends Get Spammed.

Okay everyone…..on the count of 3, check your Spam folders!   One, two, three…….

Did you find any of your blog friend’s comments in there?  Lately this has been happening to many people.  We are unsure why and it would be nice if it stopped.

Until then, keep checking your Spam folder…….and let your blog friends out!

Have you noticed blog friend’s comments in your Spam folder?   Comment below if you have.
If anyone knows how friend’s blog comments are ending up in Spam,  or how to stop it, please comment.

***ATTENTION…we have an answer:  write to Akismet.com  (see below) and fill out their form.  REAL BLOG COMMENTS will stay in your comment area within a few days after filling out the form according to  blog friends who did this.   Thanks to Chris & Cee for the information.

write to http://akismet.com/contact/ and fill out their form.

Judy

I’m going to write “WP Support” about it.  If I find out a solution, I’ll let you know.

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Good night~

Judy

All text and images are copyright © 2002-2012 and are the exclusive property of Judy Johnson (unless otherwise indicated). All Rights Reserved. All Images are protected under United States and International copyright laws. None of the images on this site are in the Public Domain.

Sunday Challenge Post: Colorful

This colorful stained glass window is from Sainte Chapelle in Paris.  Sainte Chapelle was built inside the Royal Palace on the Isle de Cité.   The date of completion of this beautiful church is estimated at 1248.   

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This photo is for the 2012 Water Dragon Weekly Sunday Post.  If you are interested in doing this photo/writing/creative works challenge, go to jakesprinter to sign up.   By signing up, you will receive the weekly emails telling you the new Sunday  challenge “word”!  Join us!

Good evening all!

Judy

All text and images are copyright © 2002-2012 and are the exclusive property of Judy Johnson (unless otherwise indicated). All Rights Reserved. All Images are protected under United States and International copyright laws. None of the images on this site are in the Public Domain.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Down

This week’s photo challenge is DOWN!  
My photo was taken in Glacier National Park at Logan Pass, looking toward the Garden Wall.  The Garden Wall is the rock spine that separates the Many Glacier region from the Lake McDonald valley in the park.   

Looking DOWN the rocky mountains of the Garden Wall, you can see the famous Going To The Sun Road, cut into the rock,  as it winds around the mountains,  very high above the ground!  (light brown line) The road crosses the park from east to west.   If you squint you might be able to see a car DOWN there!  (much more apparent in my full sized image)

At Logan Pass with pink and yellow wildflowers, looking toward the garden wall (mountains).  Looking DOWN you can see the tan colored Going To The Sun Road.

For more information on Glacier National Park, click here.

Judy
All text and images are copyright © 2002-2012 and are the exclusive property of Judy Johnson (unless otherwise indicated). All Rights Reserved. All Images are protected under United States and International copyright laws. None of the images on this site are in the Public Domain. 

Through the Roof!

The Free Online Dictionary  defines “through the roof” as “to increase to a very high level” (as in prices).   I’m taking a little poetic license with that term today.  We are “Going Through the Roof”!  And we are increasing to very high levels!  Read on!

The weatherman predicted seven straight days of cloudiness.  UGH.  On the way home from the city yesterday the sun came out! The clouds were magnificent…and you know me: I LOVE CLOUDS!

SO…..Open sunroof…..and take photos “through the roof!” at 70 mph!   AND: to take photos of clouds I had to “increase to very high levels”!!    Ahh, now you know the method to my madness.

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This one actually is through the side window @ 70 mph  ;).

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Hoping to put your mind at ease….I was not driving.  ;)

Have you taken shots “through the roof”, or have you taken photos from the  side windows as you are riding in a car?  Do share!

Happy Day to you…
Judy
All text and images are copyright © 2002-2012 and are the exclusive property of Judy Johnson (unless otherwise indicated). All Rights Reserved. All Images are protected under United States and International copyright laws. None of the images on this site are in the Public Domain.

(http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/)

Les Belles Fleurs L’hiver (beautiful flowers in winter)

Hello great blog readers!
I’m ready for spring!  If we can’t have spring let’s have some nice, deep snow!  I haven’t had a chance to cross-country ski or snowshoe yet.  It has been a different kind of winter for our whole country!  The south is freezing and the northern ski slopes are struggling for lack of snow.

I’m controlling Mother Nature today and I declare it’s SPRING in my house!
I like to buy inexpensive bunches of tulips at the market in the winter.  It brings color into the house and it brightens a dreary day.
Plus….it gives me something else to on which to practice my indoor Macro shots.  I’ve taken photos of all the pens, boxes, plants, lamps, paperweights, coasters, floors, candle holders and plates in the house already, so this gives me some variety!

The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size.
-  Gertrude S. Wister

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 ~And just a reminder from Mother Nature that winter isn’t over yet…..we got 2″ of snow overnight.

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Have a colorful, happy day!
Judy

All text and images are copyright © 2002-2012 and are the exclusive property of Judy Johnson (unless otherwise indicated). All Rights Reserved. All Images are protected under United States and International copyright laws. None of the images on this site are in the Public Domain.