Cherish is my favorite word, and I cherish the ability of turning the routine into a beautiful moment.
Nature creates in me, a spiritual and meditative time to bring peace, harmony and balance, into an otherwise ordinary day~
Mary Howell Cromer







Saturday, February 6, 2016

Country Rides and Cherished Memories~




Our kit-cat...Survhee Pipka, in her fifth year with us~


 Remember to double click on the first image, to view a larger slideshow presentation after you have read the narratives~

I will be linking up with Judith for:

www.lavendercottagegardening.com

&

Stewart for:
   http://paying-ready-attention-gallery.blogspot.com.au/




I save things that touch my heart, my spirit.  These bundles are one each of the Christmas greetings that I have purchased and shared with family and friends during most of our 46 years of marriage...I am sentimental ;) 

My husband has created watercolour greeting cards for me for my birthday, anniversary and Christmas, as well as some on Mother's Day for many years now.  I cherish them all, and when I am as down as I have been lately, they make me smile~





Our Meaka and Silveit fill up space in our home and in our hearts~



The image below of the people...that would be Bill and me at the age of about 13, a very long time ago,  and a few of my favorite things~


Always ready to go bye~bye~



Red-Tailed Hawk~





Red-Shouldered Hawk~




The first image below is one of our young birds from last season.  He showed up on Tingsgrove the other day and I was so happy to see him.
The next two images are of his parent, not sure which...it shows when I can spot them, often from a good distance and in the woods, yet I am always looking and listening~




American Kestrel~








RSHA~





RTHA~





Taking country rides means even more to me these days, to help clear my mind of any stress, or heartache.  A young man was riding his 13 year old Saddlebred horse, who had not been ridden in over 6 years~  



Black Vulture waiting it's turn~














20 comments:

  1. As always Mary, I'm mesmerised by your wildlife photography!
    The bird life in your area is amazing.
    Beautiful memories of your 46 years of marriage - we celebrate 46 years on the 11th April this year - where have those years gone I ask?!
    Shane

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  2. What a lovely blog you have here. I so enjoyed all of the nature photography, and swooned over those incredible watercolor cards. I have long wanted to taker up watercolor. The only thing stopping me is lack of talent.

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  3. Your kitty is just lovely, and posing so prettily for you....the cards are so beautiful! What talent and love are poured into them. Beautiful photos of the dogs and birds as usual!

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  4. The Princess is a beauty! Very personal hair do she has... The hawks are impressive, great photos.

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  5. I love the kitty...so unusually colored. And I love that your husband gives you such special cards....

    Donna@GardensEyeView
    and LivingFromHappiness

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  6. Your cat has an unusual streak of black on its head, makes her that much more loveable. The cards from your husband are very nice, the years pass by quickly don't they?

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  7. I am sorry for the heartache you're feeling, Mary. Sometimes we just can't say things we feel because it's so private or because it just isn't necessary, but i want you to know that i will pray for you. Your husband's watercolors and your photos are just wonderful. Pet the pups for me.

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  8. What a lovely post! Your princess cat is beautiful- what a unique coat-and love the watercolor cards - such wonderful keepsakes-we occasionally see hawks but I have yet to get a good photo of them- yours are stunning
    delighted to have found you through Lavender garden
    Cheers!

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  9. I was thinking of you today and had to relate this: I snuggled up to our border collie/springer spaniel lying on the bed. I was massaging her neck and stroking her head. She loved it and made no attempt to move. My Shepherd would have tolerated that for about 20 seconds at the most, then would have gotten up and moved about 5 feet away. Lol I hope you're having a good day.

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  10. Those water color cards are just amazing. They really are treasured keepsakes. I was getting a post ready for tomorrow and asking if anyone else keeps old cards that have special meaning to them. Love your photos this week! Enjoy your week. Hugs, Diane

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  11. Love all your photos!
    I have trouble distinguishing between the Red-Tailed Hawk and the Red-Shouldered Hawk - both beautiful birds!
    Great photos of your cat and dogs, too!
    Have a great day!
    Lea

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  12. The hawks are amazing. I can't believe the photos that you get. Love your husband's art work. He is very good.

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  13. Such an interestingly-colored cat! And oh, ho I adore that your hubby makes those watercolor greeting cards for you! They are absolutely beautiful, and such a gift from his heart! Love the red-tailed hawk photos as well. Such a wonderful post!

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  14. You and your husband are both incredibly talented -- your photos could also be loved greeting cards (or pictures for a wall).... I hope your love of each other and getting out in nature are helpful to you in the difficult time you are having right now. Your bird pictures always make me happy. Your kitty Survee (I hope I spelled that right) is so beautiful; I love how she daintily crosses her feet ....

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  15. What a sweet and thoughtful husband you have, Mary; what wife wouldn't be sentimental with such expressions of love?

    Your kitty is very pretty and what a wonderful model she makes!

    I sincerely hope that you are feeling better, that your heart is less heavy, and your spirit light. I know that taking a country ride around your beautiful neck of the woods would definitely lift my spirits.

    Happy Valentine's Day, my friend!

    Hugs,
    Poppy

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  16. What beautiful photos Mary - such unusual markings, your darling kitty looks like she's wearing a little French beret! I love the pictures of the hawks, and once again visiting your blog has been so relaxing and enjoyable. Your photography and your blog give so much pleasure, which makes it all the more sad to know you have been feeling so low - I am sending love and prayers your way, hoping your heartache eases soon.

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