Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream....

Dreamed in Newbury, Massachusetts.

This time last year I was blogging about the wild life.

Art Imitating Life

The pillar is from Surf Burger on Pensacola Beach, the singer, Octavius, is from the band, Vibe Irie.
Look at their My Space page to see the current state of disarray the band seems to be in.

You've seen Octavius before, here and here.

I don't think this guy can take a bad picture.
Follow the links and you'll see what I mean.

This time last year I was blogging about the SSJE Chapter Room.

Thirsty Sunday & Monochrome Weekend

I don't like to combine memes, I always find it too confusing, for me and everyone else, but I'm making an exception for today. Besides, the Sunday meme is my own so there isn't the need to visit with other participants; for today I'll be traveling solely to visit with other Monochrome Maniacs, hosted by Aileni.

This photograph was taken a little over two years ago while on retreat with other members of my church at splendid Emery House Retreat Center in Newbury, Massachusetts. Seeing this photo of thirsty bees gathered on the rim of a granite bird bath reminded me of our quiet but deeply felt thirst for growing closer to God during our time there.

THE LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREE

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made;
Nine bean rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a-glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements gray,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.

Written by William Butler Yeats in 1892 and sung by Judy Collins on her album "Judy Collins".

The main SSJE monastery in Cambridge is in the midst of a major renovation so most of the brothers are living at Emery House and it's currently closed to the public. However, once it's completed, if you're ever in Newbury, stop by the Retreat House for the noon day service and a meal that you won't soon forget.

This time last year I was blogging about a joint venture.

Friday 180°: Piazza Uccello Presents: "In And Out "

Hello!

Today is Friday 180°, the day I feature opposing photographic views and for today I've selected two videos of a little friend I held in captivity for just a short time, the better to photograph her/him. I have been trying to feature videos on my blogs for some time now but could never get them to upload. Luckily, today I accidentally discovered that my Windows firewall had been enabled along with my anti-viral software firewall, giving me two of them - a perfect example of too much of a good thing. I removed the Windows wall - against Microsoft's stern recommendation - and Voila! : videos upload. Yay!!!

So now, without further a-doo, and giving all the glory to the inspiration I found in Pasadena Adjacent and her Wee Video Productions, Piazza Uccello Presents, or PUPS as we call them around here, offers two views of a Florida Tree Frog: In And Out.*

*For your viewing sanity it is highly recommended that you turn your volume off, at least for the first video as there is some really horrible squeaking near the end and I don't know how to delete sound yet - or shoot video.

Also, breaking news, Bayside Life from CT on the BAY has posted her Friday 180° and you can see it here.





This time last year I was blogging about Josh Schierling's photography class at Everman's Natural Foods. A new one is coming up on December 9th and 15th so check it out.

Sky Watch Friday: Lion King

Keeping a watchful eye on some heavy weather in downtown Pensacola.

Fly here to see all the friendly skies of Sky Watch Friday hosted by Wren, Sylvia, Sandy, Louise, Klaus, and Fishing Guy, some of the hardest working people in memedom.

This time last year I was blogging about Sky Watch Friday #21: Under A Sheltering Sky.

Sepia Scenes: The Dance

Sepia Scenes is hosted by the fabulous Mary The Teach.

You can see all the amazing sepia photos by going here.

This time last year I was blogging about a sharp dressed man.

Pictured below is a former banner featuring a potter at The Belmont Arts Center near where the dancing girl was seen during the Goombay Festival.

Flap, Flap, Flap, Flap, Flap, Woosh....

(former banner)

This time last year I was blogging about The Daily Coyote.