tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90049092909750903332024-03-14T03:37:43.007-05:00Ah, Sweet Mystery of LifeLet's talk about the pleasures and puzzles of the smaller mystery--mystery novels and other fiction--and the bigger one--life.Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.comBlogger538125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-83241220735440291772009-04-29T21:38:00.005-05:002010-08-22T21:26:46.803-05:00Detour<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sPFD_X_0Xq38JyVIIqUQG_cEDilr26AZQWtpcZ47_-fOrEW4lP_3dIAKdQ2VMvRREcz_BvCKLCA7-GD1GgBuAOUEhVZv9kJVeXpI55rpkgrWZlPPPgy5bfI3MJ8P_U4CY2469UexJpc/s1600-h/violet2008-04-20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7sPFD_X_0Xq38JyVIIqUQG_cEDilr26AZQWtpcZ47_-fOrEW4lP_3dIAKdQ2VMvRREcz_BvCKLCA7-GD1GgBuAOUEhVZv9kJVeXpI55rpkgrWZlPPPgy5bfI3MJ8P_U4CY2469UexJpc/s400/violet2008-04-20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330308676630483170" border="0" /></a>This blog is closed.<br />The last photo is, as so many of them were, by <a href="http://40-acres-more-or-less.blogspot.com/">Andif.</a><br /><a href="http://40-acres-more-or-less.blogspot.com/"></a>Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-89300918423490423762009-04-25T20:23:00.005-05:002009-07-19T08:19:05.178-05:00Flowing, flowing, gone. . .<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAL3zlESUb2Rp63cImwGO4iVrJE7m5PjVOICEfMs1m8RdM6zuymWoE4cjs0BjYg6-fRfuwL0F7NPegxMk4UECbtIKdKTOZHSRkOj23XRKm-ObKD8IoxNCj3ZyBw3d9AQfMClhkE-xdoCo/s1600-h/creekcroos.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAL3zlESUb2Rp63cImwGO4iVrJE7m5PjVOICEfMs1m8RdM6zuymWoE4cjs0BjYg6-fRfuwL0F7NPegxMk4UECbtIKdKTOZHSRkOj23XRKm-ObKD8IoxNCj3ZyBw3d9AQfMClhkE-xdoCo/s400/creekcroos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328804918969371650" border="0" /></a><br />Blog closed for a few weeks.<br /><br />Photo by Andif, of course!Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-42162996902684441422009-04-25T09:57:00.004-05:002009-04-25T10:00:40.609-05:00Happy birthday to the bird!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAlZ4tIdSNJu6_ueiFQOgHlayJzqgoS62BQu8DeqaWWjDtqgdgWI47bRVi7h4qOQ-KpB9HetvzuqAO89Siq4ogytAM0NvScKAnEFwFf3R8lwE_-2AWPqBq64a9myEunyzyxeTVIX8BGQ/s1600-h/cake590.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 360px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAlZ4tIdSNJu6_ueiFQOgHlayJzqgoS62BQu8DeqaWWjDtqgdgWI47bRVi7h4qOQ-KpB9HetvzuqAO89Siq4ogytAM0NvScKAnEFwFf3R8lwE_-2AWPqBq64a9myEunyzyxeTVIX8BGQ/s400/cake590.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328643479626746658" border="0" /></a>A little bird told me (You knew I'd have to work that in somehow) that today is our favorite Katiebird's birthday! Many many happy returns of the day, kb!Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-44160532920511751322009-04-21T23:06:00.000-05:002009-04-21T23:09:04.998-05:00Splash<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRQHTLu7cbZ97VlvMmsoY5cY_MpNOJCZDkG0BrWMcBqIyZUm304xZdfvYemS7Wul4Ml8wkKtEOjm972-qcHuP6xDq9F32ooQchX_RiWqCW7664j6LVWIDvK18KgBVYAtHMo0wqQcFZN4/s1600-h/ferngullycreek2009-04-14.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRQHTLu7cbZ97VlvMmsoY5cY_MpNOJCZDkG0BrWMcBqIyZUm304xZdfvYemS7Wul4Ml8wkKtEOjm972-qcHuP6xDq9F32ooQchX_RiWqCW7664j6LVWIDvK18KgBVYAtHMo0wqQcFZN4/s400/ferngullycreek2009-04-14.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327362777124852098" border="0" /></a><br />Lovely photo by AndifNancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-60253998868524333302009-04-20T23:19:00.000-05:002009-04-20T23:22:26.105-05:00Bon jour<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseOD6O7qNcnJQgwGET5sB9qmqWnJv5O0BWKtTf4SeicAiKfvsEnboI_EUoqc8poQUvkiVI0KGfYF93yTk4h3zkMip0sLUVX4ygeqPzBwBI6M-ovQ-D9oI3uMDbJnfl8bG3u4uWp6Mn7c/s1600-h/cafeaulait.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseOD6O7qNcnJQgwGET5sB9qmqWnJv5O0BWKtTf4SeicAiKfvsEnboI_EUoqc8poQUvkiVI0KGfYF93yTk4h3zkMip0sLUVX4ygeqPzBwBI6M-ovQ-D9oI3uMDbJnfl8bG3u4uWp6Mn7c/s400/cafeaulait.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326994932982362946" border="0" /></a><br />I believe Katiebird requested coffee yesterday? Hey, around here? We deliver.Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-72923960129603317592009-04-19T22:32:00.000-05:002009-04-19T22:34:57.416-05:00Coming attractions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzcl4Zkx3FikVpykU3_rChHcx4K3EA8bLVb0kAD44B5mpIrz1MJtHjcm_9R_SrVi620b2HUOOEWLUPToeJGNTNuTO3SdXqonmp1CdQs1ak80sir1zoJ_0xb9ml4TPgKleNhL7bEpMbVM/s1600-h/ferngully2008-05-18.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzcl4Zkx3FikVpykU3_rChHcx4K3EA8bLVb0kAD44B5mpIrz1MJtHjcm_9R_SrVi620b2HUOOEWLUPToeJGNTNuTO3SdXqonmp1CdQs1ak80sir1zoJ_0xb9ml4TPgKleNhL7bEpMbVM/s400/ferngully2008-05-18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326611781591547314" border="0" /></a><br />Photo of summer, by Andif<br /><br />CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGENancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-20451479976246258112009-04-18T20:41:00.006-05:002009-04-18T22:12:54.442-05:00Deer watering hole at sunset<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMGXUgCADuO4vpVZHH93hpKWKgu2ilfwLg33hv0S63WB6E4gZVGwxgxQ8fOUbEQn9VmaZbMG7puX63PF9OvTkcYzLajsjrF26EtuX5KFTKpw7VSLMKPQ9-pkfCfSNiVqAvdfP82SAZr0/s1600-h/pond.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAMGXUgCADuO4vpVZHH93hpKWKgu2ilfwLg33hv0S63WB6E4gZVGwxgxQ8fOUbEQn9VmaZbMG7puX63PF9OvTkcYzLajsjrF26EtuX5KFTKpw7VSLMKPQ9-pkfCfSNiVqAvdfP82SAZr0/s400/pond.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326211856416669282" border="0" /></a><br />This is our neighbor's little stream in their back yard. The critters, especially the deer, love this fresh water. Soon, it will be surrounded by tall flowers.<br /><br />Click on photo to enlarge.Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-58728121084366917852009-04-17T23:59:00.005-05:002009-04-18T00:09:31.206-05:00Cedar Waxwing/Flowering Crab<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaxJowhnR7BB1o_6O8rrRgRHxEWkifiF88Ic1GGKc_jmGb85hXCqrzXhcGAQslRDCSdM54PsMiieJipU5YHzoNXNia1-_uR1fUwTi5EC6lwwcDqhuIJrDIAC3paWCEZiEYHtF2NIWucY/s1600-h/cedar_waxwing_F5R9536.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 324px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaxJowhnR7BB1o_6O8rrRgRHxEWkifiF88Ic1GGKc_jmGb85hXCqrzXhcGAQslRDCSdM54PsMiieJipU5YHzoNXNia1-_uR1fUwTi5EC6lwwcDqhuIJrDIAC3paWCEZiEYHtF2NIWucY/s400/cedar_waxwing_F5R9536.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325892798800975090" border="0" /></a>My neighbor says the magnificent tree in our front yard is a Flowering Crab, which I'm pretty sure is the same thing as a Crabapple Tree, which is what a couple of you said the other day. There seem to be several varieties. I just call it Pretty. The Cedar Waxwings call it yummy.<br /><br />Click on photos to enlarge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwvIk344IUf9u1sYNllcHS6GfcWJ0bSAqZFSCOJmv5WqO_sG47Uof6bB7gx0kLks2XYHIWOgoHsK5AAlnOZn8Mh_RUIRx4BdQXEhyphenhyphen70FaUO45cMJjlz2YYRQZso00Ie7wf_0lOdFX_BI/s1600-h/spring5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwvIk344IUf9u1sYNllcHS6GfcWJ0bSAqZFSCOJmv5WqO_sG47Uof6bB7gx0kLks2XYHIWOgoHsK5AAlnOZn8Mh_RUIRx4BdQXEhyphenhyphen70FaUO45cMJjlz2YYRQZso00Ie7wf_0lOdFX_BI/s400/spring5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325891714640232146" border="0" /></a>Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-40385456938486348452009-04-16T22:25:00.001-05:002009-04-16T22:28:49.512-05:00Last leaf of winter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbPZR8A8D0W77qck9ph-yUXoK3WtjYfXD5gnTuv82xnEJXH3JYr1lgEx_3ZZ5eoT1u7Zey-9vpJLdDocmRfPYvMIVSQVND8k2wZjXcyslClWJMgI7n08XNKGs82RPtxxJP7c_-3kNVFw/s1600-h/oakleaf2008-11-17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGbPZR8A8D0W77qck9ph-yUXoK3WtjYfXD5gnTuv82xnEJXH3JYr1lgEx_3ZZ5eoT1u7Zey-9vpJLdDocmRfPYvMIVSQVND8k2wZjXcyslClWJMgI7n08XNKGs82RPtxxJP7c_-3kNVFw/s400/oakleaf2008-11-17.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325496683376793090" border="0" /></a><br />Photo by Andif. Powered sugar by nature.Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-62071935041302261252009-04-15T18:05:00.002-05:002009-04-15T23:25:13.876-05:00Wedding bouquet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EgubxRQZilgTGJ64G2lyIYTBVPOnE00GlMtFANlyiSGkqG0codYEUyTHk7PV9C2gUgEoRRGn8zttSEnyMloldLjtWTgpzek_KhbtykIhCfSV3hCSR4A2PipvjNmc0Ifkda1aHUqDl18/s1600-h/spring2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EgubxRQZilgTGJ64G2lyIYTBVPOnE00GlMtFANlyiSGkqG0codYEUyTHk7PV9C2gUgEoRRGn8zttSEnyMloldLjtWTgpzek_KhbtykIhCfSV3hCSR4A2PipvjNmc0Ifkda1aHUqDl18/s400/spring2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325058445670471250" border="0" /></a><br />The tree in our front yard looks so pretty now.<br /><br />Click on photo to enlarge to maximum pretty.Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-15687674802232274552009-04-14T23:16:00.000-05:002009-04-14T23:17:13.562-05:00Mr. Handsome<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyG1HT3tR1SSWwMECECMTnOM8drrXapPwanaLPX4sQLeVrFgH7-nIR3MA6O_gOCVLIT8Se7StEtRvE4GH2GlC6K6snflMbwt0kmUVxxBgT5H0LOmlW3c7NayZydprXC6bUjQE4qqEBVk/s1600-h/tortoise"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeyG1HT3tR1SSWwMECECMTnOM8drrXapPwanaLPX4sQLeVrFgH7-nIR3MA6O_gOCVLIT8Se7StEtRvE4GH2GlC6K6snflMbwt0kmUVxxBgT5H0LOmlW3c7NayZydprXC6bUjQE4qqEBVk/s400/tortoise" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324767322327157954" border="0" /></a><br />I just love this photo by Andif. Go, big fella, go!Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-13002893968483153622009-04-13T20:27:00.002-05:002009-04-13T22:57:37.732-05:00Infusion<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivB74nwdLjh9nU878APoLUav4PL-_4plPNhkyQo1IgghuUSUsPd6SZ05nwj0hhoJKC-sND57FbJjqnNJoMXH6ATVocUzf5YgdyYz4vdZwTHxsKkGLydh4BklfBcR7jrgp-L7eQ8nLRXYw/s1600-h/dandelion2009-04-09.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivB74nwdLjh9nU878APoLUav4PL-_4plPNhkyQo1IgghuUSUsPd6SZ05nwj0hhoJKC-sND57FbJjqnNJoMXH6ATVocUzf5YgdyYz4vdZwTHxsKkGLydh4BklfBcR7jrgp-L7eQ8nLRXYw/s400/dandelion2009-04-09.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324352638948481538" border="0" /></a><br />Need yellow. Must have it. Now.<br /><br />Invigorating photo by Andif.Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-12961451096008325792009-04-12T19:44:00.003-05:002009-04-12T23:48:31.853-05:00Equal time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWxtdOLcAGAXGbNJo_hLsU5TW0dp_5VeIkHbxoyH89fTVw6p2l7D5LBAs1HLq1FT2Du8An9dYCoCNXlr88k0KSEVsTTDOaVE-qE3tg_eKkjOrtyUtq3PjbeXaLu8sftsiegtdPLdielk/s1600-h/cloud2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiWxtdOLcAGAXGbNJo_hLsU5TW0dp_5VeIkHbxoyH89fTVw6p2l7D5LBAs1HLq1FT2Du8An9dYCoCNXlr88k0KSEVsTTDOaVE-qE3tg_eKkjOrtyUtq3PjbeXaLu8sftsiegtdPLdielk/s400/cloud2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323970520890307442" border="0" /></a><br />Cloud the Long-Haired Beauty informed me today that in her opinion there have been, and I quote, "too many damned dog photos on this website." So when she posed on top of a bed, what could I do but obey? I warned her this may produce a spurt of canine adorableness from Andif's camera, but Cloud merely sniffed at that threat, much in the way that Miss American might sniff at a pack of Boy Scouts. Hey, I'm not responsible for her moods; I'm just the photojournalist here.Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-20643503140208626202009-04-11T23:18:00.002-05:002009-04-11T23:26:20.202-05:00Yes!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27Ch5ZOKLHAOIl5s2HbceuLz9I0kpl4Fpw9PKKLRjsI6eay3Xg4ah_BThPSb4Fv7RwWQLcJ_piAN2YnEecZWaHDFBhVkoQCaDGvkjABId62aA4gCaALdFe6wLHGT8wiRZhA2o2tjZmak/s1600-h/saldon2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27Ch5ZOKLHAOIl5s2HbceuLz9I0kpl4Fpw9PKKLRjsI6eay3Xg4ah_BThPSb4Fv7RwWQLcJ_piAN2YnEecZWaHDFBhVkoQCaDGvkjABId62aA4gCaALdFe6wLHGT8wiRZhA2o2tjZmak/s400/saldon2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323654592561233250" border="0" /></a><br />May I introduce Porch Sally and Mr. PS? He's crouching down, because I whined that he was too tall for my camera. She's holding an early copy of her new mystery novel, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Patterns in the Sand, </span>the second of her new Seaside Knitters series. It will be available in bookstores in May, and the paperback of the first book in the series, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Death by Cashmere</span>, is in stores this month. And that's not even all the good news. Maybe the best news of all is that Friday was Sally's last day at her full-time job as an editor. She had just arrived home from work--FOR THE LAST TIME--a little while before this photo was taken. Now she can WRITE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">fulltime</span>. On her screened-in porch. With ME.<br /><br />Congratulations, Sally Goldenbaum, and congratulations to Sally's fans, too!Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-54614775986243468382009-04-10T22:16:00.001-05:002009-04-10T22:18:15.626-05:00Moon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEs4dpumiVJRfjsgKqyC8DANAGGkrv3ylRqjvr0rZo9xRY-ixPKaOhTilg_hSaJ2yV0F4ZfVxAjlVto5ofvic-9T5RsVcXAnastoqPbPnVlNyvwhNBEgSTdG7h9o_h5If4nUo5evNuGw/s1600-h/moon2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEs4dpumiVJRfjsgKqyC8DANAGGkrv3ylRqjvr0rZo9xRY-ixPKaOhTilg_hSaJ2yV0F4ZfVxAjlVto5ofvic-9T5RsVcXAnastoqPbPnVlNyvwhNBEgSTdG7h9o_h5If4nUo5evNuGw/s400/moon2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323267510986377266" border="0" /></a><br />Guess which one is the moon. (Click on photo to enlarge.)Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-9098903876114492562009-04-09T23:36:00.002-05:002009-04-09T23:45:12.169-05:00Night and day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyqtNVdk8bc3oayiSUk4IqdlffyERrt8NnM8oDuVXM9GD_h3bRklauhQ32Mk9isxKAwnpx8fb2qb-ngyF-gxU61vxSnwaGjeWik6fkDbfo3brC_wRTzjV7Fm7LXcuRDg4meJwxOfmHLY/s1600-h/IMG_0153.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyqtNVdk8bc3oayiSUk4IqdlffyERrt8NnM8oDuVXM9GD_h3bRklauhQ32Mk9isxKAwnpx8fb2qb-ngyF-gxU61vxSnwaGjeWik6fkDbfo3brC_wRTzjV7Fm7LXcuRDg4meJwxOfmHLY/s400/IMG_0153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322917511432611778" border="0" /></a><br />The dark side of these very small towns I've been visiting is the economic struggle, which is intense and felt all along Main Street and beyond. The light side is the amazing spirit, intelligence, humor, and energy I've seen in their libraries and beyond. The photo above is at sunset in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Courtland</span>, Ks., where I ate at the only place to have supper--a pool hall on the western, "dark" side of this particular Main Street. I had a cheeseburger and fries cooked the way French fries ought to be cooked--soft inside, crunchy outside, greasy and hot. Then I crossed the street and gave my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">speech</span> inside their beautiful, immaculate Arts Center, a remarkable testament to how much they want the arts--and their home town--to thrive. There were homemade cookies, and iced tea, and I'm pretty sure a good time was had by all. It sure was had by me.<br /><br />I love these towns. I wish them well!Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-71799301993981098772009-04-08T19:36:00.004-05:002009-04-08T19:45:56.447-05:00prairie fires<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswXc0BZhNIA3Y-k339TCL9lhxt3GYWzwL3dDYuVWuU6nsTRqT37p8bayxGb4pthk9so0VUFXmYZ4fa6i-UPbDoJ8EFJtcpmohZP3IJlvYmqcq2nwLycf1NnYX0GjQjMu3L-7wvbR7Z1I/s1600-h/fire2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswXc0BZhNIA3Y-k339TCL9lhxt3GYWzwL3dDYuVWuU6nsTRqT37p8bayxGb4pthk9so0VUFXmYZ4fa6i-UPbDoJ8EFJtcpmohZP3IJlvYmqcq2nwLycf1NnYX0GjQjMu3L-7wvbR7Z1I/s400/fire2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322484582016852018" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDC7fAZ2QD7BI1o5FMieWs6CvQRwCQvlWWRgrT5iO_KsMurG1Lwru64zwMNgSuz9HkORiOL0Usm_T81G5dGkYJYXiUazk5v_cx1rMYIPV2aKx1p_i7Hlvpy7AowR5aLNQ6tBMFq74MA8/s1600-h/fire+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDC7fAZ2QD7BI1o5FMieWs6CvQRwCQvlWWRgrT5iO_KsMurG1Lwru64zwMNgSuz9HkORiOL0Usm_T81G5dGkYJYXiUazk5v_cx1rMYIPV2aKx1p_i7Hlvpy7AowR5aLNQ6tBMFq74MA8/s400/fire+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322484576898780786" border="0" /></a><br />I drove home through the Flint Hills where ranchers are in a rush to get their spring burnings done. Everywhere on the horizon there was smoke. In the bottom photo, you can see how close some fire got to an interstate ramp. About a hundred yards west of there, fire had consumed half of a billboard, so it was clear that it wasn't all under perfect control, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">heh</span>. When I took these photos I wished I could include sound so you might hear the crackle, and only now does it occur to me that if I would ever learn to take videos with this camera you *could* hear the snap, crackle, and pop.<br /><br />When fresh growth comes up through the burn, it will be the prettiest light, bright green.<br /><br />Click on the photos, especially the top one, to see the smoke in the near and far distance.Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-14277848827974039902009-04-04T23:13:00.002-05:002009-04-04T23:18:20.432-05:00On the road again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtzVtJyD8Xu_IEBEu_BjCBBGaJwnTK9V8Yx6CdfgHVSM313jC3U_LbK_FFCAR5NOgW-LS4wbQiUyz_b6_G1TbvEtqtfSK7QO7nRKvponQkDem1oLjg_zE1xbuegOr_t0OHNmXPkFyHaA/s1600-h/ksroad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtzVtJyD8Xu_IEBEu_BjCBBGaJwnTK9V8Yx6CdfgHVSM313jC3U_LbK_FFCAR5NOgW-LS4wbQiUyz_b6_G1TbvEtqtfSK7QO7nRKvponQkDem1oLjg_zE1xbuegOr_t0OHNmXPkFyHaA/s400/ksroad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321055864670515906" border="0" /></a>My road won't look like this tomorrow, however. It will be I-70 to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Salina</span>, and probably with a bit of snow and--they're predicting--gusts up to 40 mph. Whee! If only it could be an east wind, I'd get there so much sooner. <br /><br />This is the last of my multi-library treks, sob, and this one is only three towns. After this, there will only be the stray single library here and there. I'm going to miss this traveling from small town to small town, although I'll admit I'm also reaching the end of my stamina for it. For now. It has truly been great while it lasted and it's also been so nice to be able to share my photos and tales with you guys. Thanks so much for being so receptive.<br /><br />I'll be back on Wednesday, but I'll see you here while I'm gone.Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-8368004461759608002009-04-03T19:36:00.000-05:002009-04-03T19:38:06.054-05:00Hope?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ng-wbkEUhYyuB5znAxE5d3e5fZRnModtjmzPfhHwcQweIUIziviCZJ5PVMV5w41TT6s3sA1cjwXC6mXZLKKjHpbiZqD7lOJbgvzSP9I7eCfTwA9cBCr77uYpCpxXouIpY5eh2DENGGo/s1600-h/icemelt2009-03-05-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ng-wbkEUhYyuB5znAxE5d3e5fZRnModtjmzPfhHwcQweIUIziviCZJ5PVMV5w41TT6s3sA1cjwXC6mXZLKKjHpbiZqD7lOJbgvzSP9I7eCfTwA9cBCr77uYpCpxXouIpY5eh2DENGGo/s400/icemelt2009-03-05-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320628849988513890" border="0" /></a>Ice melt, by AndifNancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-55117348704165445632009-04-02T23:09:00.001-05:002009-04-02T23:11:04.283-05:00Poetry, Day 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgud-tA4AwxVzfaidQ_ANmHbrjil7774IXUsBodT6-6Xro1eBiOGvpMtMC_D1oQR3Klih1t9xyIQVeKzSgY8GlZkYduQ2lVsb2KVjP8KitOrIFQkAeKHzOiBeVyGZCDGbP-mSCZzeZoaM4/s1600-h/iceflow2009-01-20-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgud-tA4AwxVzfaidQ_ANmHbrjil7774IXUsBodT6-6Xro1eBiOGvpMtMC_D1oQR3Klih1t9xyIQVeKzSgY8GlZkYduQ2lVsb2KVjP8KitOrIFQkAeKHzOiBeVyGZCDGbP-mSCZzeZoaM4/s400/iceflow2009-01-20-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320312541221392818" border="0" /></a>These vertebrae of ice brought to you by Andif.Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-57197784867072459732009-04-01T21:13:00.002-05:002009-04-01T21:17:53.221-05:00National Poetry Month?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6nQNBqwksMtM33h6w6xv8YFQ6WBKZLDH6yZngi_Z2vtH-rGY_XOY-uX6_8ERXY0Rq-AvXrOUP2C0defrCshyphenhyphenUR5FHODZhQ_dTE5aSAvGZYrb9K132UzHVBkK5tan0gQj6S3KpwKt_3Q/s1600-h/lake2008-10-05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6nQNBqwksMtM33h6w6xv8YFQ6WBKZLDH6yZngi_Z2vtH-rGY_XOY-uX6_8ERXY0Rq-AvXrOUP2C0defrCshyphenhyphenUR5FHODZhQ_dTE5aSAvGZYrb9K132UzHVBkK5tan0gQj6S3KpwKt_3Q/s400/lake2008-10-05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319911667824327346" border="0" /></a>A little bird named <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Maryb</span> dropped a hint that this is National Poetry Month. Well! I guess we know what that means around here, don't we? Poetry is ON for the rest of this week, at least. Bring 'em, read 'em, write 'em, any time you please. <br /><br />The photo that looks like a poem? It's by Andif, our photographer laureate.Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-90992098940013891622009-03-31T21:13:00.002-05:002009-03-31T21:25:43.355-05:00Cafe au art<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbUtQ3svI5rIsf9tTuGwzA3lhsI-F4KQpn9J54w9IfSAJdC1f_vh6pNbDME4WwQdnA1u_aahh4q8Sz8f000Qw0Yy3Jx-RLDlhew43cn2JHz_AkvOsIK-tE-5xsI5_RqrdsJZlmlMCiE8/s1600-h/cafeaulait.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbUtQ3svI5rIsf9tTuGwzA3lhsI-F4KQpn9J54w9IfSAJdC1f_vh6pNbDME4WwQdnA1u_aahh4q8Sz8f000Qw0Yy3Jx-RLDlhew43cn2JHz_AkvOsIK-tE-5xsI5_RqrdsJZlmlMCiE8/s400/cafeaulait.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319540718493115218" border="0" /></a><br />And tea for those who prefer it.Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-60478251330459686182009-03-30T21:50:00.003-05:002009-03-30T21:53:40.112-05:00Ripple and Cross<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTxh9cHqCV1WOIkGr70nk4Of5dVGI5WrhERDRym_GgV4FQ1iYdH8PrWCZcmyOJpOzkIVlzRru_8RJxRy0MNVIx9bkioNPAMXI4VNQAwMrb__gvcIkhD895I1KVBq2I82kITZM6pKkTOc/s1600-h/creekrock2009-03-20-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTxh9cHqCV1WOIkGr70nk4Of5dVGI5WrhERDRym_GgV4FQ1iYdH8PrWCZcmyOJpOzkIVlzRru_8RJxRy0MNVIx9bkioNPAMXI4VNQAwMrb__gvcIkhD895I1KVBq2I82kITZM6pKkTOc/s400/creekrock2009-03-20-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319179082985776274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFygBG8D-qWJScZnSTHhmSDtayELr47E66JNliNoPphsDKh9ShuuKUxu9L8G6PZCHqt-vM4BmieWAQf-4EEfnz53gnrK9InFT2bt8Xn1t7visEs8TebzeY9EQDjs_r-vhyOsDC4oFv0ug/s1600-h/creekcroos.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFygBG8D-qWJScZnSTHhmSDtayELr47E66JNliNoPphsDKh9ShuuKUxu9L8G6PZCHqt-vM4BmieWAQf-4EEfnz53gnrK9InFT2bt8Xn1t7visEs8TebzeY9EQDjs_r-vhyOsDC4oFv0ug/s400/creekcroos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319178908322517234" border="0" /></a><br />Two water views, by AndifNancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-49243201554703233482009-03-29T21:55:00.003-05:002009-03-30T17:05:40.688-05:00before the snow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YBj9p1mAWw8IcUwAMTUzuZG-NtcVDq-py_1q0wnwKfvSCLZ5ccM2dESKWJZ1tlTYznj5OMbmt-tS_6cB0zy-m2Izu_qnQAaWjwOjfLmB5gk7tRwpu0xVjaa-vf5nN1gMb7eJNnHMBco/s1600-h/nton6_0141.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YBj9p1mAWw8IcUwAMTUzuZG-NtcVDq-py_1q0wnwKfvSCLZ5ccM2dESKWJZ1tlTYznj5OMbmt-tS_6cB0zy-m2Izu_qnQAaWjwOjfLmB5gk7tRwpu0xVjaa-vf5nN1gMb7eJNnHMBco/s400/nton6_0141.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319105319957537474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnRw2VggMwVYaeBWyRWZSjOBbc-Q3xAPATl819sqqYlnkx5NvL05gZuBSdr-KlkDyoZ62nBqkwBwsB6YXBWvh6euoi9T4Wj6KcXsv7rcKUke5cXSCYvL6aSC6M3GZ86xAAVqETEgDHrM/s1600-h/nton4_0145.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnRw2VggMwVYaeBWyRWZSjOBbc-Q3xAPATl819sqqYlnkx5NvL05gZuBSdr-KlkDyoZ62nBqkwBwsB6YXBWvh6euoi9T4Wj6KcXsv7rcKUke5cXSCYvL6aSC6M3GZ86xAAVqETEgDHrM/s400/nton4_0145.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318809468531195938" border="0" /></a>Remember the photo below with the wooden swing and the spring flowers? This photo is from the same back yard at the little b&b in Newton where I stayed on Thursday night. The owner is a photographer; her brother is the sculptor of this and other works on the grounds.<br /><br />I made it to my gig in Junction City today! The weather got better, instead of worse.Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9004909290975090333.post-39911390387439508062009-03-28T19:21:00.001-05:002009-03-28T19:25:31.549-05:00Sunset<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbKC_nYmhwo-PSER2AswYj6moprn113gj1DSv0k9t4T_h2a2AoW9yi3wU-uOcA56N-TUL_kle2_0K4FL_QdjPKvdvUE4yaonM68tMcklagVdQ1Q4xe4gFMY4NYuZub_H66h7XM8-auGg/s1600-h/stgls_0149.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbKC_nYmhwo-PSER2AswYj6moprn113gj1DSv0k9t4T_h2a2AoW9yi3wU-uOcA56N-TUL_kle2_0K4FL_QdjPKvdvUE4yaonM68tMcklagVdQ1Q4xe4gFMY4NYuZub_H66h7XM8-auGg/s400/stgls_0149.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318398972366045250" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunset from inside a house<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUn-RmgL4jH9djGcymfYZCwSy-_pL9vH5uAR9fMV_qtD_rpCHcwybqbJzKNPv0lS97At2x24LDsDmBhhr0h7DkfuWfRA8IiQDt2ndeWtJ5bAHPCBD-ZZAUQtl_Zqb5IGHZJeVrNHPqmw/s1600-h/winf6_0150.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUn-RmgL4jH9djGcymfYZCwSy-_pL9vH5uAR9fMV_qtD_rpCHcwybqbJzKNPv0lS97At2x24LDsDmBhhr0h7DkfuWfRA8IiQDt2ndeWtJ5bAHPCBD-ZZAUQtl_Zqb5IGHZJeVrNHPqmw/s400/winf6_0150.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318398963134981010" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sunset from outside the same house<br /><br /><br /></span>Nancy Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05429062957063032872noreply@blogger.com21