A Bit Of Prose

"Spring On The Island"

I hear their whistles,

 the wild birds that call the island home.

Hidden from view by the tall grasses they are

likely nesting.

Sun baked during summer,

spring now finds shallow rain ponds alive

 with fiddler crabs. 

A haven for noisy seagulls, they seem misplaced

in fresh waters, while performing courting rituals.

Watching tall willows sway in rhythm, 

I see a shadow

moving  over brown "cat-tail" tips. 

 A Snowy White Egret suddenly  lands, 

 and stands statue like,

ankle deep in marsh sludge. 

 A black crow in almost

robot-like movements,

barks and hops toward a shiny attraction.

A tin can,

 half buried in a mud grave is the

object of curiosity.

All sharing the earth in a peaceful coexistence,

even I was allowed a place to stand.

~Dee Dee

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Have a blessed day.....

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click twice on photos to enlarge

"New Motherhood"

With "Mother's Day" right around the corner,

the subject of my art  is  "new motherhood"  and seems to be

an often and  common utterance in our growing family.

Two new  babies born this past year, making me

 grandmother again and again.

I love it! Keeps me busy creating baby

things. I suppose somewhere in my "gray-matter"

I've been pre- programed to sew.

It comes quite natural and I find it pleasingly enjoyable. 

I've  noticed young mothers today, are not so different

from the way we were.

 They are happily contented and exhausted by days end.

Round the clock they go, at an inexhaustible pace.

It is so true indeed, "mother's work is never done."

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You can see, I've begun early drawing and painting

''new mothers".....my intention to do more. 

Hopefully one painting  will be worthy of adorning

 my Mother's Day cards.

Sweet family and friends....the recipents,

 will again recognize  my simple and

humble efforts.

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Enjoying the moments.....Dee Dee

So Pretty.....

Still pretty.....

once a centerpiece.... for our Easter dining,

now adorning a table in our living room.

The Hydrangea for a very long while, has

held sweet symbolic meanings for me.

Our home in South Carolina, 

for so many long years,  had a lovely

blue colored Hydrangea plant growing 

 in our front yard.

The hot Carolina summer climate, made it

difficult sometimes  for the plant to survive. 

Most afternoons

I would find it's branches sprawled on the

ground, as though it had

 "given up the ghost."

By morning, it had renewed it's strength and

stood tall and proud, heavy with large

clustered blooms. 

Each time I bring Hydrangea

into the cottage......sorta has that "old south"

feeling that conjers up all sorts sweet memories.

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Time forever has barred the way

You can't return to yesterday.

Out of reach...beyond the blue...

Tomorrow waits in vain for you!

So take today, enjoy its measure

Quick as a flash...it's yesterday's treasure!

~Maxine Lung

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Have a blessed day....Dee Dee

Think On This.....

Lying in bed would be an altogether perfect supreme experience

if only one had a colored pencil long enough to draw on the ceiling.

This, however, is not generally a part of the domestic apparatus

on the premises.  I think myself that the thing might be managed

with several pails of Aspinall and a broom. Only if one worked in

a really sweeping and masterly way, and laid on the color in great

washes. It might drip down again on one's face in floods of rich and

mingled color like some strange fairy rain.

~G K Chesterton

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I do have an active imagination when it comes

to creativity.....the power to form mental images of something

not present.  I've not imagined painting on the ceiling before,

(now a possibility.... having read G K Chesterton's description....)

dare I make such a mess?

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I hope your letting go of your imagination just a little....

good things happen while playing with color.

Blessings....Dee Dee

The Blessedness Of Showers....

We had rain today and afterwards the baskets

hanging in the garden were showing off just a bit more

 than usual.

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Raindrops softly falling

 in a gentle melody

Refreshing plants and flowers

And soothing peacefully

As the lovely growth of springtime

Is accomplished by the rain

May the heart grown worn and weary

Or encompassed now in pain

Find gentle sweet refreshing

In the blessedness of showers

Falling softly in sweet rhythm

To renew these hearts of ours.

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Excerpts from Raindrops Falling

by Jewell Carr Campbell

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Sweet blessings for you this day......Dee Dee

Traditions/Memories

It began early and ended late. 

Early Easter services,

dinner with family

(sweet table images....

bunny candle and

lovely Hydrangea)

Evening church service,

after weeks of preparation,

singing with our

choir in a most glorious

musical production

"Calvary's Story."

I've had

one of those memorable

days that I will reflect

back on with a smile

in my heart.....

Ah....continuity of traditions,

and so many beautiful memories.

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Enjoying all the moments.....Dee Dee

He Is Risen

Happy Easter

sweet family and friends.

.....Dee Dee

Painting....Google Images

Nature Aware Of Calvary's Story?

Calvary's story started in a garden

with choice by a woman and

a man...where the whole human race

found itself in need of grace,

and the story of Calvary began.

~Calvary's Story Musical

"Desert Rose"

We've  been waiting a while for it to bloom.

Finally, this week,  and  the color is fantastic.

After the

 spring rains, it suddenly burst forth with an

abundance of blooms.

I've had Desert Rose, in the past,

and forgotten  how lovely they are.

Although  thinking of the Easter Lily this week,

I'm  happilly satisfied and  thankful for the Desert Rose.

Coincidence??? that it is  now blooming  in time  for this blessed

Holy week? Is nature aware of "Calvary's Story?" Perhaps....

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Easter Blessings for everyone.....Dee Dee

click on photos to enlarge

Christian Holy Day.....Good Friday

Hallelujah! Priaise the Lamb!

My heart sings His praise forever!

......Dee Dee

Familiarity and Traditions

These little decorative items have been a part

of our spring/Easter decor for quite a

number of years.  Atop the bookcase, they

look so sweet....bring smiles to my heart each

time I glance their way. They will come down,

and be blended amongst the table settings

for our family Easter dinner.  Children like

continuity and traditions, and always look

for familiarity when visiting grandparents.

"Oh, I remember this!"  I'll hear that a

few times, I'm quite sure.

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Enjoying all the moments....Blessings....Dee Dee

Not Your Usual Spring Birds

Most mornings, and beginning early this spring,

flocks of  White Ibis began  having breakfast

in our front yard. 

I'm not having much success in a photo of 

the whole group...the least little noise and they scatter.

I couldn't resist playing around with a photo program

or two and kind of like the results.

Click on photo for a closer look.

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Having a blessed and busy Easter week,

trying to stay engaged, focused and committed,

loving each moment......

Blessings for you......Dee Dee

A Bible Story....Movie

This movie came out in 2010, was shown April l7th, 

this past Sunday evening, on the Gospel Music Channel....

and can be seen in it's entirety on Youtube....or

check Family Christian Store, online.

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Plot: A biblical Cinderella story seen through the

eyes of a young widow as she leaves her homeland

to Israel in search of a better life.  Upon reaching

Israel, she is swept off her feet by a wealthy royal

which ultimately leads to her destiny.

This is a love story. The love of Ruth for her

mother-in-law Naomi and the love of Boaz

for Ruth.

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Ruth and Boaz

~Chris Higham artist

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I recently discovered  art by Chris Higham....just

beautiful.  Note sidebar...Easter story and

more of his paintings.

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Have a blessed week.....Dee Dee

You may have noticed "Rabbit" before....

He was "greeter" for a while.....

However, I thought his little face

worthy of a post alone.

A dear sweet boy,

painted just in time for

lovely spring grasses.

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The secret of happiness lies

in taking genuine interest in

all the details of daily life, and

in elevating them to art.

~William Morris

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Blessings......Dee Dee

All the children of the world.....

Jesus Prays For The Children

~ Chris Higham

Loving Jesus, gentle Lamb

In thy gracious hands I am;

Make me Saviour, what thou art,

Live thy self within my heart.

I shall then show forth Thy praise,

Serve Thee all my happy days;

The world shall always see

Christ, the Holy Child, in me.

~Charles Wesley

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"Suffer the little children to come unto me,

and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God."

Matthew 19:14

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Blessings this Lord's day......Dee Dee

Morning Hibiscus

I post on the Hibiscus growing in our garden often.

I never tire of them, each morning offering new and

even more beautiful images.  They are quite hardy

plants, adaptable to the sandy soil. I planted those

 seen here at the end of last summer....small plants.

Size of the plant means nothing, as you can see.

The red Hibiscus has so many large buds, they

seem to be fighting for "notice me"  position on the stems.

Notice the red bloom and the bud together.

They are quite beautiful actually.

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Gardening is the art that uses flowers and plants as paint,

and the soil and sky as canvas.~ Elizabeth Murray

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Have a blessed weekend......Dee Dee

click on images to enlarge

The Old Rugged Cross

Easter...observed in commemoration of Christ's resurrection.

Christians throughout the world have been celebrating

and thankful in their hearts, all year long. 

 Easter Sunday is the day we celebrate aloud.

For weeks now, the choir at my church has been practicing

special music "Calvary's Story" for our  Easter Sunday evening program.

Beautiful beautiful worlds.....a solo...I've been singing to myself.

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"Amazing grace shall always be my song of praise, for it was

grace that bought my liberty.  I do not know just why He came

to love me so, He looked beyond my fault  and saw my need."

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In my humble attempt at painting this morning, I wanted  to convey

to everyone....

He died for the world, on an old rugged cross.

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Keep looking for His blessings....there are many.....Dee Dee

Yellow Gerbera Daisies......SUNSHINE!

Bring yellow Gerbera Daisies into your

home and watch the transformation.

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Flowers always make people better, happier

and more helpful; they are sunshine, food

and medicine for the soul. ~Luther Burbank

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Just living is not enough.....one must have

sunshine freedom and a little flower.

~Hans Christian Anderson

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Blessings.....Dee Dee

Pretty Knockout Roses......

This has been a busy day.  Rising early on Tuesday mornings

is the norm. I attend a ladies Bible study at my church.  That got me going

today, in a real pleasant  kind of way.  Want to feel good all day long, begin

 fellowship with a group of sweet Christian women.

Returning home, I found the Mister still tidying up the garden.  The

tree-trimming yesterday left things in disarray, to say the least.  Looking

really nice now.  A  labor of love, keeping a garden in order,

especially here in Florida, dealing with the heat.  I suppose that's why

I love "Knockout Roses."  They just bloom up-a-storm with little

 bother or fuss....... I do love roses .....all varieties.

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"I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck."

~Emma Goldman

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Keep looking for His blessings.....Dee Dee

click twice on the roses to enlarge...

Our Garden Palms

Washingtonia Palm (Mexican Fan Palm)

Queen Palm

Queen Palms

Lately, we've had trouble keeping the garden tidied up.

Early spring finds the squirrels building nest way

up high in the palm trees, and the evidence is apparent. As

they nibble off  fronds, packing  them into

 massive nesting places, they drop messy scraps all over.

 Herein, lies the problem.Thankfully, faithful tree-trimmer

Wayne, comes to our rescue a couple times a year.

No baby squirrels were found, thank goodness.  Had we

called later, it may not have  been the case.

The palms keep growing taller and taller. The Mister estimates

them at  seventy-plus feet high or more.

It's a little scary watching the ladder

stretched out to it's fullest and  the remaining distance

to the top, by using  ropes and straps. Each year Wayne

does an amazing job.  As I looked up to see his

completed work today, I was  impressed and wondered at

his ability to climb the very tall  Washingtonia palm.  I love

how the fan fronds blow  in the soft warm Florida breezes.

The three Queen palms, planted eight years ago, are

unbelievably tall and beautiful.

Double Click on photos for a closer look, if you like.

Blessings.....Dee Dee

.

Surf Play

A sweet painting......of precious children.

My daughter Natalie, several years back, and

her best friend Jenny.  They spent warm

summer days of their childhood at the beach, playing in the surf.

Thus, my inspiration for the painting and title "Surf Play."

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Take me out to the ocean

Take me out to the sea,

Show me the foamy waves rolling there,

As I breathe in the salty air.

Let me look look look at the ocean,

See the sea and explore,

For it's fun to dive from the top

To the ocean floor!

Take me out to the ocean

Take me out to the sea,

Show me the currents and ocean tides,

Let me see where the seaweed resides!

When you look look look at the ocean,

Look at all it is worth!

For the ocean covers three-fourths

of the entire earth!

~Meish Goldish

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Have a blessed week.....Dee Dee

Weekend Pleasures

In the garden, the ultimate in weekend pleasantry.

Mexican Sage, Hibiscus, Crotons and Philodendron.  All doing pretty nice this

time of year.  However, the heat has arrived and temps are creeping

into the high eighties. Soon there will be a battle to keep them irrigated.

Our soil is sandy and the water just runs straight through. Missing

one day can be detrimental to the plants. For now, we are thankful

 the garden is still healthy and we are enjoying all that is lovely about it.

I'm still waiting for the Periwinkles to arrive in the nurseries,

they are drought resistant and add such beauty to all of the garden areas.

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*Nature and books belong to the eyes  that see them

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

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Have a blessed Sabbath.....Dee Dee

The Hat Check Girl......

"Good evening, may I check your hat and coat?"

-

When I finished the painting, I knew she

had come from  the l940s or 50s.

  She reminded me of  a character in an old

Humphrey Bogart movie. Bogie  has his

signature hat and coat on, walks into

a supper club, there to meet with Lauren Bacall.

Count Basie's orchestra  playing, 

and Billie Holliday is performing.

The "Hat Check Girl" has a  polite look on

her face....however, her job is dull and un-appreciated.

Her career will be short-lived, for one day

men and women will feel it not so fashionable

to wear hats. Ah.... wistful yearnings

for the good ole days, I suppose.
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Have a blessed week-end....Dee Dee

click twice on painting to enlarge....

My World....Through Rose-Colored Glasses

*Think On This.......

No one is as generous as our loving God.

When we look around at His amazing creation, we can see

much of His mind and character.

The most evidence of His generosity, however, is

 His gift of salvation.
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I'm surrounded with lovely scenery in my little part of the world,

so why not try painting landscapes. Many  Florida homes, as a rule are made of

stucco and painted with various pastel colors.

Tropical plants surround  my little cottage, so I have

beautiful plants for inspiration. In this  painting are

 tall palm trees,  a large white bird of paradise and

lovely and colorful crotons.  The colors are much

bolder than my actual plants.

 I took liberty with the color pink, and turquoise.

The painting  is seemingly my world through rose-colored glasses. 

 Enjoying the moments......Dee Dee

On My Desk To Read

From my hometown  library store.....found today,

in like-new condition.  I consider it a treasure.

The stunning recreation of the much-loved world of

Kenneth Grahame's " The Wind in the Willows"  that

we secretly all know we wanted, but never dared

hope we might find......

-

William Horwood has brought to life once more the

four most-loved characters in English literature:

the loyal Mole, the resourceful Water Rat, the

stern but wide Badger, and, of course

the exasperating irresistible Toad.

"I am Toad extraordinaire, a magnificent Toad!

None is my equal. What Toad, what creature,

has ever showed such capacity, such expertise,

such brilliance, as I have today?!"

-

Published in England in 1993, this book was a

resounding success, a bestseller for three months.

-An enchanting, unforgettable novel, enlivened by

delightful illustrations, in which William Horwood

has recaptured all the joy, magic, and good humor

of  L. Grahame's great work.

And...Toad is still as exasperatingly lovable as he ever was.

Amazon's reviews gave five stars!

Patricia Benson's, lovely

illustrations, received five stars from me as well.

I am giddy with anticipation!

Blessings this day for you.....Dee Dee

Bunny Love

 Children's books...

To know me, is to know you might find me at any

given time reading a book for the younger generation.

Makes no difference to me.  I realized while reading

to my grandchildren that I was enjoying the stories

and illustrations as much as they were. 

 I call it treasure hunting,

 when I stop at a yard sale and search through

the books.  Nothing makes my heart much happier than

discovering an older children's book, out of print with

illustrations by a well known artist from days gone by.

 It's happened a

few times.  I usually keep them for myself and glance

through them now and then.  I'll save them for me and one

day pass them on to the children and grandchildren.

Oh yes...."Bunny Love" painting seen here

by me and  of course inspired

by  older book illustrations. 

 Love the clothing style and the button-up shoes.

Enjoying the moments......

Have a blessed day.....Dee Dee

When I Grow Up.....

Jessie Wilcox Smith

....love her smock

When I  began drawing and painting,

I  very happily discovered 

Jessie Wilcox Smith 1863-1935.

Famous for her work in magazines and for

her illustrations for children's books, Jessie

had remarkable talent.  Many of her books

are in print today, probably bought mostly by adults,

like myself, for the nostalgia.

Many of her illustrations depict moments of

childhood; playing with blocks, fear of the

dark etc.  Jessie Smith changed the

appreciation of children in American culture

by her enormously sympathetic portrayals.

Most likely you've seen her work

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When I grow up...I want to be just like

Jessie Wilcox Smith...draw and paint like her and

wear a painting smock just like the one seen

here in her portrait!!!

Have a blessed day......Dee Dee

(aspiring children's book illustrator)

Spring Parade Of Baby Animals....

I've been having fun with pencils and watercolors,

as you can see....a spring parade of baby animals,

each having a story to tell.

Perhaps another book for the grandchildren,

about why we celebrate Easter.

Stay tuned....

Have a blessed week.....Dee Dee

Bleeding Hearts? I Believe So.

I'm not quite sure about this little pot of flowers, new to the garden. 

I have been told they are a variety of the Bleeding Heart plant....perhaps.

  They are quite  lovely and will take the place of my winter Petunias that have gone by

the wayside this week.

  I will miss the Petunias, for  they have bloomed  all winter long.  For now the

garden is surprising us with all sorts of plants leafing out, coming to life.

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Awake, thou wintry earth-

Fling off thou sadness!

Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth

Your ancient gladness!

~Thomas Blackburn "An Easter Hymn"

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Have a blessed Lord's Day!

......Dee Dee