Pile of Sleeping Black Puppies

Good night, everyone. See you in the morning. via

Sea Foam with Starfish

Fall is in the air, but it's still summer. Enjoy it while you can. via

Royal Family Portrait 1931

Lilibet, Margaret and Queen Mum 1931. I've never seen this one before. Love it. via

Free Childhood Memories

via

Out on A Limb

"Where is Mama? We are waiting."

I love this delightful photo of all the little birds lined up waiting for Mama to come home with dinner. I think they look worried, don't you? via

Wonderful Bird Choir

Click photo to enlarge for a closer look.

by Tuan Tran

Ziggy and Quacker = Puppy Love

This dachshund's name is Ziggy. The duck is Quacker and there's another one called Quack. They are all fast friends. They play and romp together, eat together and are fast friends. Go here and scroll down a bit until you see numerous photos of their antics. They genuinely love each other. 

Royal Country Picnic

Another Royal family portrait with young children. William and Kate will be carrying the torch for us now. Can't wait. via

Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, Madison NJ

I took these photos of this landmark building from my car with my iPhone on my way to Costco today.

 

 

 

Museum of Early Trades and Crafts ~ Madison NJ

The Museum of Early Trades and Crafts originally opened its doors as a library in 1900. The library is still housed upstairs in this beautifully restored building that features 56 stained glass windows, 8 chandeliers, 3 fireplaces and stenciled brick walls. Learn about New Jersey history and culture by visiting the museum on your own, or arrange for a guided tour conducted by the museum's friendly and knowledgeable staff.

Kangaroo Fun

I thought this photo looked hot too. I haven't spent much time outdoors since the heat wave began. I'm so thankful for central air. Oh, by the way, I loved Sunday's episode of ENDEAVOUR on Masterpiece Mystery on PBS. Did you watch? My friend in Massachusetts loved it too. I'm watching Pie In The Sky right now. I love the quirky characters. British TV is so great. It will soon be time to retire to my bedroom to watch the flat screen. Good night. See you tomorrow. via

Gorgeous Tree Lined Drive

I love the way the sun is shining through the trees in this photo. It's simply lovely. It looks hot there just like it is here. We won't be out of mid-90° weather until Sunday. Texas stole my weather and sent theirs up here. I heard on the news last night that the high yesterday in Houston was only 72° which sounds more like San Francisco weather. It's crazy everywhere, isn't it? Webster is much, much better but he is still resting. Animals know what to do when they are feeling low and they don't rush getting up unless it's absolutely necessary. He's such a good dog. See you later. via

Happy Monday

There's nothing like a cute puppy to start your day week, is there? via

Compawssion: Portraits Of Rescued Dogs

photos by Frank Bruynbroek

There are more photos here. Some were too painful for me to post. I'm so glad this Belgian born photographer took on this project called Compawssion, and published them in a coffee table book. Click on the previous link to read more about this amazing book. The website that has all of the photos in my post plus more is in Russian but here's a rough translation describing these rescued dog photos. "By not quite the usual black-and-white portraits, Belgian Frank Bryunbrok on for fifteen years, tells the heartbreaking stories around the world salvation. project entitled 'Compawssion' are more than hundreds of pictures of dogs, once in trouble. accidentally forgotten in the park with restless puppies burning eyes, cast once to the special dogs that are now barely fit in a rectangle frame, deadpan kind of complacent mutts, born by a crowd in the basement of a residential high-rises. They vied with each drop in the audience certainly in the area of the soul. However, this bitty 'tailed rabble' together one small, simple as a penny, the thing is - the human indifferent, through which the dogs finally found the 'Fire', his corner, his home." I used Google Translate. I'm so glad all of these dogs got the dignity due them via these heart-felt portraits. Warning: They are all beautiful but some might make you cry.

Maxfield Parrish Clouds at My Cottage

We've had some very nice sunset cloud formations lately here at my cottage. I ran outside to capture this one with my Nikon last week because it reminded me of a Maxfield Parrish illustration in a book of fairy tales. Agreed? Click photo to enlarge.

Corgis with Long Stick

But it needs to be longer so all can participate in carrying it. via

Lovely Bicycles

I've never seen bikes with pick tires but I like them. It's much cooler this morning and I'm so happy. Now maybe my stiff neck from the air conditioning will go away. It feels better already since I turned the air off last night and slept with the windows open. Have a great Sunday. via

Wild Grape Vine Detail

     Photographed here at the cottage one day this week while on a nature walk with Webster. I love the shape, color and intricate design on wild grape leaves and this one is perfect. Stay cool in this heat wave. Ours is supposed to break on Sunday and I cannot wait. I am so tired of having the air conditioning on 24/7. It's okay during the day, but I really miss sleeping with my windows open.

     The big walk-in closet is empty downstairs. I cleaned it top to bottom yesterday and it looks so nice. I took a break for a few days but now I am moved to continue dealing with my mother's ground level dwelling. I have donated most of the clothes and am feeling good about that. She had the best taste in classic dresses and jumpers that never go out of style. I put aside a few of my favorites and I have them airing outside. Don't ask me why but one day I'll know the reason. 

     There was an interesting segment recently on NPR about "The Global Afterlife of Your Donated Clothes". I didn't know that 80% of all donated clothing ends up in the hands of textile recyclers. Anyway, it's better than having them end up in the landfill. Article and podcast here. Read it and weep.

     Have a great weekend and try to keep cool. I'll see you later.

Webster On The Move

Click photo to enlarge.

Webster and I just got back from a walk after a brief shower. It's so muggy out there you can hardly get your breath. My camera lens was fogging over after a minute or two but I did manage to get a decent picture of the Wonder Dog. Did I ever mention he's addicted to air conditioning? Last night was the first time this year I left it running all night long. I think I'll leave on tonight too. Good night all. Have a great July 4th.

A Daylily and A Cotswold Cottage

On my last walk with Webster yesterday I ventured into a very thick weed patch on the edge of the woods to photograph this daylily with my iPhone. I was wearing my wellies so I'm not worried about getting poison ivy.

I had a real estate closing yesterday so my July is getting off to a great start. Hope yours is too.

You can only imagine how thrilled I was to have found and sealed the deal on a wonderful Cotswold Cottage. Who knew there was an authentic piece of England so close to my own cottage and no passport was required? My buyers are thrilled.

Stunning Hollyhock

This photo leaves me speechless. Isn't it stunning? via