Lesson 847: Essential

Hello, Readers.

I've been fooling around with this blog all evening,

and now it's well into the night

and I'm still not done.

I'll get right to the essentials.

The alternate rainy days and sunny ones

are essential to the vibrant colors

that now dot the countryside.

Walking weather has been perfect.

I love walking past the park pavilion 

now that it is getting so much use.

The fountain is keeping the fish alive.

It's so great to see kids play outside

with sticks and stones

and no cell phones!

Fresh air is essential for optimal growth

of the body, mind, and spirit.

I took a crew to Presque Isle this week.

We were welcomed with this sign

and spent the day learning about the beaches.

Hands on, minds on--

as we say in education.

We were in Bobcat country for a baseball game this week.

It's my favorite complex in the county.

So beautiful out there!

Big sky all around.

Same dandelion gone to seed,

shot in different lighting.

We see what the light reveals.

Prom photos are essential.

Who would not want to photograph 

their children when the look so nice.

A strange commencement speech is getting all the press

this week.

Its essential message did not resonate with Eloise.

Nephew Chris shared this memorable 

Edinboro University Commencement Speech

given by Mr. Rogers in 1998.

Mr. Rogers spoke to a crowd

healing of a local tragedy of the shooting of a teacher.

He reminded us of the story The Little Prince,

and the famous lines below.

CLICK HERE for speech--go to 49 minutes

Very true.

I'm turning out the light at the Lamp Post now,

so I can get some sleep.

No matter how old my babies are,

they always need food.

I,

like Momma Bird,

get up very early to prepare weekend meals,

so my brood has food.

Goodnight, Readers.

Weekend homework:

What essentials are invisible to the eye?

Eloise

Lesson 846: May Days

Hello, Readers.

Let's put this week in the rear view mirror.

May Days are long,

here at the Lamp Post,

but packed full of fun.

A beautiful sunset over the vineyards tonight.

The rays reach over the vines,

their glory so great all the flowers turn to face them

for one last, long drink.

Not a ton of nature photography this week,

except for Penny catching a game at the outfield fence.

Do you know what this is?

How about now?

Did you guess it?

Perspective is a very cool thing.

My long lens came in handy

at the Scholar Athlete breakfast.

I had to dash out to class myself,

but I was able to wave and capture this handsome scholar.

The Scholar part is difficult!

Scholars are consistent--

even when Calculus homework is due after games.

Sam has lots of late nights at the Lamp Post.

The Huskies had a win and some losses this week.

Sam got a late start on the victory lap.

Stride out!

Look to the finish!

Never give up!

Victory is yours!

It was just like the photo finish at the Kentucky Derby.

Mystik Dan by a nostril!

My seeds have graduated from their 

winter sowing milk jugs

to the Greenhouse.

This greenhouse is just for practice while I'm learning 

from my fellow Master Gardners.

Once my thumb turns from sage to emerald,

I'll upgrade.
It's going to be spectacular.

While I'm waiting,

I'll keep watching,

and reading,

and asking,

and listening,

and trying my hand at all things garden--

particularly seeds,

which are what I am most interested in.

I am so thankful that friend Heather O

found me this book at a yard sale!

It's a treasure finding an I CAN READ book

from 1959!

There is so much to learn 

and be excited about,

I get up an hour earlier

and have been going to bed an hour later,

just to make time for my interests.

Coffee helps.

I've been treating myself to a different bag of coffee

every Friday.

This week,

it's Daydreamer Blend 

by House of Java.

Time to rest my tired eyes!

Eloise has developed an eye muscle condition

caused by eyes that are greatly fatigued,

trying do things that cause lots of focus:

reading,

writing,

embroidery,

editing photos,

and nurturing baby seeds.

My ocular muscles are radioing mayday.

Harbor Creek's Prom is Saturday.
Watch for photos!

It's one of my favorite nights on facebook!

Eloise

 

Lesson 845: Decision

Good evening, Readers.

I'm glad you made the decision 

to spend time at the Lamp Post.

Life is about choices.

Deciding what to do with the time we are given.

I decide every day to look for the good.

I find goodness in nature.

I like to capture the prettiest parts of each season.

Deciding to enjoy the full body of sport.

The wins.

The losses.

And all that is in between.

We're celebrating the end of the semester

this weekend,

along with the Kentucky Derby.

With a full weekend ahead,

I'm making the decision to end this blog early

and head off to the Shire with the Hobbit.

Eloise