Deep In The Forrest

This is "Weekly Words Challenge" day... it is. The enigmatic and fantastic Tink , our host, had set us up with "6" and "Look Up" for the words. You can click the WWC banner above to check out everyone else's work this week, but I am going to have to bow-out gracefully as I haven't had time to put any thought into photos, and I really don't want to cop out and use nothing but archived photos. I am ready for fresh new ideas and fresh thoughts. Therefore, I will try again next week... I promise. Soz!

A Time For Reflection... It's not that I don't have things on my mind. I do, so very many things. In fact, my mind is so cluttered with things that I have felt chaotic lately and can't get anything in perspective. I'm working towards trying to let everything go and not stress over anything so that I can let it all flow the way it is supposed to. That's a hard thing to do, but I am doing it. As a result of just having too much on my mind, however, I haven't been able to post any of the things that I have wanted the last couple of days. Bear with me.

Sunday morning is easy, right? So of course the afternoon has to change all that. Leave the tough stuff to me. I'll take care of it. ;) Haven't felt much like blogging this weekend that's why the short stuff. Today being Sunday, I tried to make it the last of my sugar intake for the week and see if I can do any better. Trying to get Richie back on the train with doing cardio stuff again, and I think he's going to start helping me. I know I should be able to do a lot of things on my own but exercising by myself is not easy for me at all. I totally lack motivation unless someone is helping keep me pumped up about it. That sucks because I really don't have anybody at all except for my husband in that arena. "Girl Time" is nonexistent in my life right now, I am either at work and surrounded by mostly men or at home surrounded by mostly men... I am not complaining about the men because I love men, I just miss girl time. Now we are cooking out some stuff on the ...

Was I a bad blogger on Saturday? Or did I just have nothing to say?

This one goes out to "Shell". :) And she knows who she is... Thanks for reminding me that Joy is not hard at all. This is a fun quick post today because it's Friday and we all have better things to do, right? Today's "Quote du Jour": "The only people who find what they are looking for in life are the fault finders." - Foster's Law Today's "Laugh du Jour": Watch "Creed Shreds" (You HAVE to laugh at THIS)

The year is halfway faded, some has been ill-fated but now on we roll. Most of June has passed, nothing lovely ever lasts, now all the birthday kids are grown... on we roll. That's my poetic way of beginning the post. ;) In fact, there have been a lot of spring and early summer birthdays we have gotten through, and as stated before the difficult firsts of all the holidays of the year without my father... and on we have to roll. We have no other choice. No matter what life tosses us, we have to dodge, or catch it with full-on force and keep moving on towards the goal line. It's hard sometimes, I know. Our difficult days and our dark and violent storms are what carries us through to the most beautiful days ever so I'm glad for them all... I know things will get better. Here are the only things I have to show for my birthday this past Monday (6/22). First and foremost, my beautiful Mother gave me this birthday card with lunch money in it... It's a lovely card and a lovely ...

This is a little technique I was fooling around with in Photoshop. (Click To Enlarge) Using some vector art, in this case, a little strip of "Skulls", and a photo of my face, I created this little "patterned" piece. It didn't turn out like I wanted yet, but then I am just kind of testing and getting ideas on different things I can do using this technique. So essentially, it is ME made of skulls... You can see around the edges the skulls and although it's not really "finished" I thought it was kinda cool. This is all I have for you today class, once you have studied it, you may go for the day. I will, however, be hitting you with a pop quiz between now and friday... Not sure what the topic will be lol!

Check out who's playing the: Host of the Weekly Words Challenge is the lovely Tink of Pickled Beef . This week's keywords are "C" and "Wood" . Quickly I will get these up, and sorry to admit I had to go archiving once again... sorry to disappoint. Just haven't felt up to shooting much lately and it's been so hot. Here goes. "Wood" "C" Yay.

That's right, I'm doing a self-birthday post... I should've done it earlier, but I took the day off and slept late and still had to do things like laundry and the like but for the most part it has been a nice day. Why do your days off pass off so quickly though while work days seem to be a week long a piece?? That's so unfair. But right now, I'm just saying "Happy Birthday To Me!!!" Overlook the bleached out hair, please! Dad, Me and Mom on NWCC Grad Day. My Mom made me a delicious Mandarin Orange cake and gave me a very beautiful card, I'll probably scan it and share the verse with you. She's the sweetest most loving Mom in the whole wide world and I thank her and my Dad for seeing fit to bring me into this world. It's not their fault they were unaware of how rotten the world was and/or would become. But it's up to us to make our lives what we can, and be successful (by whatever means we measure success, and that doesn't have to be job...

This is for Daddy, my ultimate hero... Today was a hard day for Mom and Me Dad, I wish you'd been able to be there so I could've sang this to you in person the way you always wanted me to. I wish I had gone to the Grand Ol' Opry like you begged me to. I wish a lot of things, most of which is to be able to hold your big strong and loving hands just one more time. This one is for you Daddy, and all the other men in this world who have earned the right to be called "Daddy" and not just father. Love you and miss you every day and forever Daddy... Your baby. Watch the video of Dolly Parton and Holly Dunn singing "Daddy's Hands"

I went for a ride a little earlier, and I mean the summer heat is on. I read one bank clock that said about 101 degrees, but I don't know. As long as I was rolling I was fine. Anyway, summer ain't playin around and it's not even officially here yet. Almost... hang tight. Two Days until my birthday, -insert unenthusiastic "yay" here. I am taking off but I still have to keep an eye on some work issues. How's that for slavin to th' man? Anyways, this one is short today. You guys have a lot of reading to catch up on anyways, so get started!! :)) Here's how we used to spend summers when I was growing up... I miss the innocence and ignorant joy of youth. Nothing like the sprinkler in the heat of summer. Happy Summer everyone!

Today's "Zen" proverb of the day: "When you try to stay on the surface of the water, you sink; but when you try to sink, you float." Let that be a lesson Y'all! lol Ok, so I started trying to work up this post yesterday, and it began with a little letting off of some steam. I'm not angry, like right now in the present sense I am not "in a bad mood", I am fine really. I am still working on myself, and taking things one day at a time. It works... for me at least. But I think one of the reasons why I don't have an alcohol or a drug problem, or have to be institutionalized for any psych problems is because I don't mind freely sharing what's on my mind. I feel unhealthy when I keep things bottled up inside, my emotions and feelings, I let them out as much as possible. I think it helps keep me relatively well adjusted (as much as is possible on this crooked rock lol). But anyways, when I started this post I was merely letting out a few...

Occasionally, I run across a quote, a photo or some bit of inspiration that really drives home a thought to the point I have to present it. One of those I am presenting today. There certainly appears to be (at least to me) a great deal of ignorance in this world... Various topics and various symptoms that need to be treated, but what can we do? I was introduced to this innovative photographer, "Dustin Diaz" by my coworker who is a photographer also. He was impressed by the project this guy was working on, which is called "Project 365" (wherein he puts up 1 picture a day). These are done, mostly it seems nighttime shots, using nothing but strobe lighting. I thought it was very unique and I like the slogans and headlines he uses for the photos. Hope you enjoyed as much as I did... File this one under Heroes of the unwritten word. (For the photography) The quotation, of course written. If ignorance is bliss , why aren't more people jumping up and down for joy? ~ ...

I just wanted to share the "Elder's Meditation of the Day" today, I thought it was a good one. Elder's Meditation of the Day - June 17 "Your power comes from the songs." --Ethel Wilson, COWICHAN If you do not know any of the songs, ask an Elder to teach you. Get yourself a drum. When you sing a song and play the drum, you'll be surprised how your mind, body, and spirit will react. Everything becomes calm and joyful. Our bodies love the songs. The songs allow us to touch the hand of the Creator. When we sing and touch the Great Spirit's hand, He gives us power. Songs are another way to pray. ...

It's that time again, but of course I was late this week, my apologies once again! Ok, am back. Thanks for your patience and understanding guys. I'll make it quick and mainly about photos and save all my knowledge and philosophy for other posties. Check out who's playing! This week's Weekly Words Challenge (hosted by the lovely Tink! features key words: "A" and "Favorite Song" (reminds of). I'll kick it off with the "A"s... Random Grocery Store Sign At Rest Autozone Park Gate Now with the "Favorite Song" thing... I can never narrow down my absolute favorite song, and it can change from time-to-time, so I just did a few that illustrate some of the songs (remember these are NOT necessarily favorites at all so no making fun lol) Nirvana "In Bloom" The Cure "Heaven" Theme song to "St. Elmo's Fire" by John Parr Bonuses, yeah bonuses!! Where Are The Bison? ;) Rainy Day Highway Until next time, thi...

Just a random little post today, busy Monday and all. I'm not going to make a huge deal out of it, but can't get through this day without wishing Z a very happy birthday. I hope that he has or gets all he deserves in life, always hope for the best and that he and his family are doing well. It's all I can really do... So, today Z, I thought of you and next week when it's my birthday (22nd), I doubt you'd even remember that or think of me and mine, but that's o.k., the world continues to roll around and round. It's all good, you're righteous and don't have to worry bout nothin, right?? You're cool. Ok, enough of that I can see where it was headed lol, let me shut my mouth now. Geez, it started out all cool too like it sometimes does, then turned sour... kind of like yesterday's nasty-ass pistol-packin potato salad. {deep breath} Yeah, you've got your heroes and your zeroes. Then there are times when you still think the zeroes could be hero...

I have always loved Far Side cartoons... this one about Potato Salad going bad was one of my favorites. Just the mental image of spoiled food pulling a gun gives me a giggle. Larson rules. However, bad food in the fridge is sometimes no laughing matter. I recently let some broccoli sprouts go beggin' and they tried to take the entire household hostage, guests and all. Funny thing about broccoli sprouts, they are against guns and drugs, and totally for Animal Rights but they carry tazers. It's really confusing, and a lesson hard learned. :) So anyway, yeah another make up post I did for yesterday. So sue me... not that it makes a big impact. We've had internet connection problems, which are still ongoing. The technician arrived in decent time and said our equipment was o.k., and that there had been an issue going on in our area, here and there... they were working on it. Maybe it will be resolved soon. I sure hope so, it's just agitating and it goes down at the worst tim...

Sorry for the lousy make-up post, but it's been bad weather around. We were not terribly affected by it but we have had quite heavy storms in the area. I enjoy them immensely personally... but you've all heard me go on over my obsession with rain and thunderstorms often enough. Since I'm making a sad back post I will cut it short with a video from another one of my favorite musical heroes... Mr. Jim Morrison and "The Doors". I cannot as a Piano/Keyboard player put this up just about Jim though, it's also a love post to one of my biggest keyboard heroes, Ray Manzarek . He rocks. Anyways, Watch Riders On The Storm .

UUUuughhhhh!!!! It's been such a delightfully hateful day!!! Day started out o.k... It was Friday, that was good enough for me. But then of course I was running late. Then everybody on the road decided to be a turd. There was impending rain in the weather forecast for later in the day but it decided to hit and become pretty much tornado weather... I hated that. Luckily, we didn't lose electricity although some around here did. Anyway we ran with friends to grab a bite to eat after we were sure that the roof wasn't going to blow off, and Mom called and made me feel guilty for not having called her to say "Hey I made it home before the storm struck and all is well." Fridays are sometimes just hectic and I hadn't had time or a quiet spot to call her due to the problems we were having with the phone and internet connectivity. All that brings me to the fact that yeah, something has been screwing up the internet connection so we had to schedule a technician. I chose...

Gonna make one of those 'who knows what' type of posts, with a lot of randomness to it today I guess. I'm late even thinking about writing because I've been busy, but here I am. I've done a couple of adjustments to my blog, you may or may not have noticed. Edited my profile "blurb", and I adjusted the post amenities I guess, changed the verbiage back to "Alms for the poor" for comments, so spare a few for poor ol' Auntie J will ya?? Robin Hood would approve. As well, I added the "Reactions" do-hickey, so gimme some feedback and see how that works too. Then I put my playlist back on the bottom of my sidebar. It's not on 'autoplay', but you can always peek and see what I am listening to and get an idea of my music tastes, which I have said before are quite eclectic. I've noticed not many people have responded to "Uncle Richie Is A Wicked Wizard" story. Was it anti-entertaining? Just wondered... because I thou...

Growing up, I was not a computer-wielding gamer nerd. In fact, my parents never bought me any computers or the latest game consoles, and well... they wouldn't even spring for cable! We were lucky to have "touch tone" on the phone (and I actually have one friend who's parent's wouldn't pay the charge for touch tone). Living simply is a good thing and all, but I like a few luxuries ;) These days, though, it seems that Kids are eyeballs-deep in microchips. They are the technology generation more or less. Some of you guys think it's sad to say "Remember Vinyl?", now we are starting to feel the burn when a kid asks "What?? CDs?!?" "I'll get you next time Aunt Jackie!!!" My husband's (younger) brother has three children, one girl from his first relationship, and two younger boys from his current wife. The youngest is more of a wild child (hence his Mohawk) while the eldest boy is the Gaming Geek of his clan. When they were v...

That title rhymed... isn't that cool?? Ok, short one and to the point today ladies and gentlemen. I will be back later though for a story about "Uncle Richie" (a.k.a. Mr. J). For now, here's today's WWC (Weekly Words Challenge) brought to us by the very lean and lovely Tink of Pickled Beef. (Visit her if you'd like to join us and sacrifice your life lol)! The words for this week were "Lean" and "3" (three): Had to hit the archives a little as I have been super-duper busy... but still hope you like. Angel leaning on the tomb in which it guards Broken piece still appears to be leaning Mr. J leans on the escalator behind a (quite lean) wax figure of Sophia Loren (or is he in Front of her?) Wall mural of a 3-tier Fountain Three Siblings Three Very Different Personalities Three Silos in grassy green field There you go! Also note that I had 3 examples of each word... hehe I'm the clever one. ;) More issues beckon... will be back later!

Future Real American Hero ! I Believe The Children Are Our Future... lol My little nephew Blade is quite a kid, he's only 2 yrs old but he already tries to drive everything, and there isn't anything that he doesn't think he can tackle (and he tries!) The photo above was taken at 'home' when I visited Mom the other day. My niece and her husband were there, he was helping do some yard stuff for Mom, and Brandy had the baby there. So of course he was a handful and needed close observation. If nothing else, so that he wouldn't run out and try to follow his dad on the tractor while he was trying to do the bushhogging. That would've been a nice disaster to start the week off right. However, once his dad finished up, he did give him a ride on the tractor, which seemed to make him happy enough for the moment. Please note that he got up on this piece of machinery all by himself, no lie. He also attempted to crank it, but his efforts were thwarted by his dad very qui...

Oh I am tired but in a good way. I got a lot of good riding in on Jimi this weekend, and it has been hot and sweaty out there, let me tell you! I just got home a short while ago from a little visit with my Mom and hopped in a nice hot mineral soak. The feeling that you get when you JUST step out of the tub or shower is the greatest! I know that this is the most relaxed, and the most clean and good I am going to feel all week long... which is a little sad when you think of it going downhill like that, but it will. Mondays always rear their ugly, good-for-nothing heads... No matter, it's just the same bad movie on repeat. We'll make it to the credits and give it applause come the next weekend. (If we're all lucky to make it). The Nose Knows... I have to go on a little bit about my motorcycle riding, because the sensations I enjoy when riding are just about all that does get me through the week. I love to smell the freshly cut grass, and the warm summer breeze, the divine smel...

I'm quite hungry and searched for a Hero Sandwich. This is what I found. She held out for a hero, this is what she got! If you click the photo, it will take you to the site of the photographer. Quite interesting works. Props to this Demetrie Kabbaz!

Oh yeah, I am doing the make-up cheat post. I wanted to make every day in June, but it is darn hard. Busy weekend. This will have to do! [There is a hero here, you just can't see it... think of it as the Invisible Man or Woman] lol Yeah I know that was pretty sad.

What matters is not who our heroes are, just that we have one. Something or someone in our lives that inspire our dreams and give us something great to aspire to. Whether you wanted to be a cowboy, or a fireman or an astronaut, you had a dream. Your hero could have been a family member, the cool guy or girl down the block, or Superman. Hopefully, something made you feel like you could be something great! I grew up with my Mom and Dad watching a lot of Westerns, and listening to a lot of what might be considered "Cowboy Music" too, as that was what they liked. Now don't get me wrong, I don't have anything against it, and it always reminds me of good memories growing up, but I took a different turn in selecting my own "heroes". My weakness was always the bad boys. Motorcycle riding, tattoo wielding, hell raisers who were more trouble than they were worth! I blame it on Fonzie. Nevertheless, I survived and ended up with a good mix, I guess, the best of both wor...

Today I don't have much to say, but most times I feel that music can express emotion better than just about anything. So I will utilize one of my favorite Rock Legend / Guitar Heroes to illustrate just that point. Nobody did it like Jimi... Enjoy This Video, "Killing Floor" by Hendrix. (Note, ignore the guy yakking in some other language lol sorry-that is, unless you can understand him) And here, you gotta check out my Bonus Video Footage! I Heart Jimi!!! -AJ

Weekly Words Challenge 87 is now! Our Wicked MC, Tink has ruled that the words for this week were Yellow and " In My Purse/Wallet ". How did you interpret them? Here are mine, and sorry I didn't make up for last week like I thought I would try to, I'm doing well to get these in. Here we goooo! I'll be by to see what you did in a bit. Mississippi Mud surrounded by lovely Yellow wildflowers The inside of this bloom and some edges have a hint of Yellow Messy Yellow Networking Cables! This is a weird photo "happy accident" (with lots of yellow sparks) caused by toothpicks in the ceiling at "Huey's" restaurant! The entire unorganized contents Inside My Purse!!! My blackberry resides In My Purse, and as such so does my face ;) That's it for today I suppose. Remember, I am digging on this "Daily Blogging" phenomenon for my NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) group, so I'll be here every day dur...