Mercy Me - Homesick with lyrics

For my cousin Laurie

Years Gone By

I love old farm buildings, especially those that have

stories to tell from years gone by. The house and other buildings

have been gone for as long as I can remember, yet this crib remains

as a reminder of the strength it took for early settlers

to start new lives on the prairie.

Crocus

My crocus are buried under mounds of snow,

but in a few short weeks they will emerge to

tell me spring is almost here!

Skittish

This skittish, yet curious, young squirrel made me laugh as

it scurried from limb to limb. Each time it moved it would

look over at me as if to say, "Are you still watching?" :)

I derive so much enjoyment from watching nature!

White Frosting

A little sugar for the eyes!

The Red Shoes

Red glittered dancing shoes for my granddaughter. :)

Eat your heart out, Dorothy!

Wild Turkeys

Native to North America, Wild Turkey flocks are abundant in Iowa.

It was once being considered to be named our national bird

rather than the Bald Eagle.

Nature's Fireworks

Old Glory shines behind trees laden with sparkling hoar frost.

Poetry in Motion

Poetry in Motion
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

Swoosh.....swoosh.....swoosh!

How they fly so close to one another amazes me!

Blue

Blue
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

Blue was born in late spring and up until early December was skittish and untouchable. Now it's a whole new ballgame! He loves being petted and is always the first at the door when I open it to feed him and two of his siblings, Jumper and Miss Kitty. He has the most incredible blue eyes, hence my name for him.

Gaining Altitude

Gaining Altitude
Originally uploaded by kaleidoscope

It's been almost a year since I've posted to my blog, but I resolve to do better in 2010!

Sunshine Scoop

A beautiful tulip scoops up the

sunshine; perhaps to save it for a rainy day?

Flyover

Bald Eagle flyover on the Des Moines River

Drifts

Drifts of windblown snow

beautiful winter sculptures

hug primitive fence

Family Portrait

Two adults and a cygnet (center). Note the position of their feet; when preparing to land the legs and feet are extended outward and the tail elevated to slow their momentum. Junior is still learning and hasn't moved his from the streamlined flying position. Dad is 'trumpeting' their arrival to the pond, a warning perhaps for others to clear the landing area?

Trumpeter Swan

I spent New Year's day visiting Beemer Pond and the Trumpeter Swans I love so much. It is said what you experience on the first day of the year will be what you experience the rest of the year. Who could ask for more than this?!!

Chick, Chick, Chickadee!

I love Black-capped Chickadees!

This pretty chickadee is hunkered down at one of my feeders. Their usual behavior is to grab a black sunflower seed and head for the trees to eat it, but not today! Lucky me! :)

~Determination~

Snow,
heavy, wet snow
blankets canes and leaves.
Canes bend, tips gently touch the earth.
Leaves, curled and brown
become vessels of life.
Nature naps in winter
to bring new life in spring.

It is mouse?

These tiny mouse footprints in the snow

remind me of a story.

When my daughter was about three years old, her aunt, my youngest sister, had a gerbil, Herbie Rumplestein IV, for a pet. It was not uncommon for my mother to catch a mouse in a trap every so often, and to be rid of it she would flush it down the toilet. Such an occurance happened one day when my daughter was visiting Grandma and with a very concerned voice she questioned, "It is mouse?", fearing Herbie Rumpleskin IV may have been the victim.:)

Number One Grandson

Just yesterday he was a toddler

sticking his tongue out at his mother. :)

Sleeping Garden

The garden slumbers; resting, rejuvenating, preparing

to emerge again at winter's end.

Winter Haiku

Quiet reflection

snow laden branches shiver

winter awakens

Fun in the Yard!

Three Behind the Tree

Three of my favorite people in all of the world. :)

Yew Berry

Blustery Day!

My little feathered friend is fluffed to the max as she wards off the chill from the wind. She likes to perch on the raspberry canes, so I don't prune them until spring. :)

Pondering Goat

Billy Goat Gruff appeared to be deep in thought as he watched children playing on the kiddy tractors at the local apple orchard. I think he was waiting for someone to buy and feed him some kibble from the machine near his huge pen and play area.

Meandering

A common sight across the Iowa landscape is meandering

streams and dredge ditches.

I spotted this raccoon fishing for his dinner one sunny afternoon.

He seemed oblivious to my presence as I watched and photographed him.

Quiet Pines

Barn~Storm

A quiet country road but for the rolling thunder in the distance