Sunday Sundries - Edition 17

     Sarah handed me a package.

     "For Anna," she said. "And Caleb. For all of us."

     The package was small, wrapped in brown paper with a rubber band around it. Very carefully I unwrapped it, Caleb peering closely. Inside were three colored pencils.

"Blue," said Caleb slowly, "and gray. And green."

     Sarah nodded.

     Suddenly Caleb grinned.

     "Papa," he called. "Papa come quickly! Sarah has brought the sea!"

                                                      From Sarah, Plan, and Tall written by Patricia MacLachlan
                                                                            (My favorite children's book)

Ready To Go...

I've spent over a week resting up from our family vacation. I finally felt like going again...not on vacation...but, at least out with my camera to enjoy this Monday morning.  Morning was all I could do...by noon it was 91 degrees and humid and I was tired again!

 

I didn't realize how tired I would be after

 

• keeping up with Gramma's guys,
• climbing to the top of the USS Alabama battleship,
• walking through underground tunnels at historic Fort Gaines,
• strolling the trails at a bird sanctuary,
• spending the afternoon at the sea lab, and
• swimming in the ocean. (yes that is me...that little dot way out there...I told my daughter to take my picture in the ocean, but don't come any closer!)

 

I was totally worn out and that's just a fraction of what we did while on vacation at Dauphin Island, Alabama. Anyway, I think I've made it back to normal!

 

As I mentioned at the top, I did get out with my camera this morning. I needed some pictures of water for a photo prompt, so I went to the Old Mill in North Little Rock, which is an authentic reproduction of an old water-powered grist mill. This beautiful mill appears in the opening scene of the classic 1939 film Gone With The Wind. Built in 1933, it was designed to look old so it would appear as if it was built in the 1800's.

 

 

It's in a pretty city park with flower gardens, water splashing, birds singing, and shade!

 

Although I only spent the morning there, it was a much needed source of photography inspiration. I kind of lost my incentive after being on vacation. There was so much beauty to capture on Dauphin Island and back home, well it seems kind of dull!

 

I hope you're not to tired of my vacation pictures, you have to understand it's been a very, very long time since I've been on vacation and we were at such a beautiful location!

 

Hope you had a great Monday!

 

Summertime on an Island Paradise

 

I've only been home about fourteen hours and I already miss the ocean. For the first time we took a vacation with our children, their spouses, and their children. It was absolutely wonderful. Many happy and fun memories were made. It's been 37 years since I've seen the ocean, so of course there were many hundreds of pictures taken.  Just let me say right now, this post is heavy on the pictures...light on words! I think when  you see the pictures below, you'll understand why I miss being there.

 

I miss the sound of the waves crashing right outside our bedroom window.

 

 

I miss the amazing colors.

 

 

I miss the birds.

 

 

 

I miss the morning walks I took along the beach.

 

 

 

 

I miss the sunrises.

 

 

 

 

I miss the sunsets.

 

 

I even miss the seaweed in the golden light of sunset.

 

 

I miss the details.

 

 

But, most of all, I miss seeing these guys each morning and hugging them goodnight.

 

 

 

I can think of only one thing I won't be missing...sand in my bed!

I'm sure you're going to see more pictures from our family vacation at Dauphin Island, Alabama.

"Don't cry because it's over.

Smile because it happened."

Dr. Seuss