Smiling

You know how sometimes something you read or see will quickly bring a smile to your face? It happened to me several times yesterday and I wanted to share them with you.

 

First, there was a particular blog post that made me smile. It was from the wonderful girls at Focusing On Life. They are such a great group of girls that encourage and inspire me. I always leave with a smile when I've been visiting their site, but this time it was a little bigger smile. You see, they're having a giveaway...a beautiful poster. I think you might want to check it out and enter your name in the drawing.

 

http://focusingonlifegrp.blogspot.com/2013/09/our-thank-you-giveaway.html

 

Now, let me tell you about the rest of my smiles. Yesterday I wanted a certain book from the library and the only copy available was in the nearby town of Maumelle. Now, I could have had it sent to a library closer to home, but I really like to visit libraries and thought this would make a good outing. Isn't this a pretty library and this is the back side?

  

Since I knew there was a walking path around the lake, I took my walking shoes to walk there instead of where I normally walk which has gotten a little boring lately. Of course, I can't walk without a camera so I had that with me too!  One lap around the lake to take pictures and one lap for exercise. That works!

 

 

As I walked there were several things that just made me smile, giggle, or laugh out loud. This weed growing through a knothole in the boardwalk brought a smile. That's determination! He could have taken the easy route like the others branches; but no, he wanted to grow through that little hole.

 

 

 

I was fortunate enough to see this beautiful Egret. He wasn't cooperative. He flew anytime I got near him. It made me smile that I got his reflection in the water though. I really like abstract reflections!

  

 

 

 

Part of the path goes behind a large group of condominiums which had such pretty little gardens. I snapped a few pictures and then realized that someone was hiding in the garden. Well, actually he was getting a drink out of the birdbath. I would like to think that the owner of this pretty garden had purposely placed a low birdbath just for this guy to use. He's a Muscovy duck and well, he's kind of ugly. I know I probably shouldn't say that, but all of creative doesn't have to be pretty to be good. When he wasn't drinking, he would just stare at me and that brought a giggle.

I picked up the books at the library and was headed back to my car when I spotted this cool guy. He made me laugh with his snout on crooked! He almost looks like he's begging for a treat.

 

 

When I go anywhere and have extra time I always get online and google the town/place and see if there's anything interesting I've not seen or done before. I do this even if it's a town I've been to many times. It seems I can always find something different. I was surprised to see that there were three cemeteries in Maumelle. (I'll write more about that adventure later.)  You don't really think about smiling at a cemetery, but this marker sure made me smile.  Can you imagine???    84 grand and great grandchildren??  Her name was Louise Hayney. She was born in 1818 and died in 1910. Let's see, that made her 92. Wow!!  I would love to know more of her story.

 

I want to thank each of you who left such beautiful comments recently and for all your prayers. This family believes in prayer and we felt comforted by yours. I count myself blessed to know such good friends. You make me smile!