THE DUST WILL WAIT

As the oddest of days, weeks, and months perplex and confuse, it is calming to see an early August moon peak over the mountains. The trusty cell phone that seems my constant companion takes acceptable results and gives me the false sense that I have figured out how to take night time photos.  I haven't.  This was luck and the only one with minimal blur and that interesting reflected fence provided by the neighbors security light. Earlier that day the excitement came from finding someones parakeet feeding with sparrows.   The little buffet on the ground is provided for the quail and dove that visit our backyard at least once a day. But they have not presented any young.  I've assumed they were meals for the feral cats and several hawks that hunt relentlessly in our neighborhood. A  Cooper's Hawk grabbed a squawking young sparrow when I was standing nearby, so I know they aren't shy about my presence.   Little parakeet did not return this morni...

Last month my four year old granddaughter asked me if she could look at the photos on my cell phone.  I answered, "sure" and then went on with whatever I was doing. Later that day I picked up the cell phone and found the following new shots in my gallery.  She was busy. The land line phone in my bedroom: The pink Anemones blossoming next to the patio: The Lobelia in the front yard.  She's not supposed to go out front alone! This one had me going for a few minutes.  ????  Scratching head. AWWW! The fish food container that Grandpa left on the patio table. Grandma (me) at the computer through her own reflection. There you have it.  The world as seen through the eyes of  Mizelle.

We were able to get out this afternoon and walk my favorite place.   I took this shot with my cellphone (which has lots of problems so I was surprised my quick photo looks as clear as it does. (My agreement to post every day didn't promise there would be words.)

I love the way the rain drops catch  on the net that protects our fish  from the Heron and the Kingfisher.  One day I saw the Heron  standing on top of  the rocks  peering hungrily at the goldfish  in their winter “hover” at the bottom.   Such easy pickings when the pond is open. While the sun is shining the net  is nearly invisible… which explains why I’ve twice  seen the Kingfisher diving from the sky,  only to be bounced back up into the air.   I was worried that it was hurt.  But it flew up and scolded loudly from a perch high in the maple tree. When the rain turned to mist  I took the three grandchildren out  to blow bubbles. The moist air has a good influence  on the stability of the bubble.  It gives the kids opportunity to chase the rainbow balls ... as the slight breez...

Z-bub took me on a bug hunt this afternoon where he spotted this Bumble Bee.  My cell phone took this photo about two inches above the flower.  We let the bee be, and went on to capture a grasshopper. Update I'm posting this to the September 24  Two Weeks in Autumn Photo Challenge.  Pop over to Faye's Summit Musings and get snappin'!

Jammin, my 8-year old grandson had  eye surgery on Monday. When I stayed with him and his siblings last August, we were putting drops in his eye several times a day.  The pediatrician thought he had growth caused by a bacteria. But, the antibiotics and steroids proved useless.  He was sent to the Casey Eye Institute in Portland, Oregon, where the specialist recommended surgery and biopsy. After the surgery, his mother and father sat with him in recovery.  Once he became aware of his surroundings his mother remarked, "Hey Jammin'.  You look like a pirate." "AAAAAAAAAAARGH!." He replied. He is doing well.  He should be back in school tomorrow  and we are hoping for good news from the pathologist.