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Friday, March 7, 2014

Around Here, Lately...




  1. This photo is just one of the many reasons I love the color grey.  I mean, just look at that!  It's more beautiful than if it had all been bright colors.  At least I think so. ha.  That little bird did manage to swallow that big seed, by the way. 
  2. Speaking of photos, I signed up for an online photography class!  It starts in a week and runs for one month.  There are daily instructions and weekly assignments.  I'm looking forward to learning how to use all those settings on my camera in a practical way.
  3. Not long ago the whole family got new electric toothbrushes.  Wow, they are powerful and really do the job.  They do, however, make a high pitched whine that sounds like you're at the dentist.  You know how a dog will wail at some sounds or music?  Well, the first time I used the new toothbrush on Spencer (I still help the boys brush) he let out a long wail like that for the entire brushing session.  One long howl...a single musical note, without taking a breath.  It was the funniest thing ever. omg... I'm glad he doesn't do it each time. ha.
  4. Slate the cat has continued to come around daily and slept over one especially cold night this week.  Saturday (tomorrow) he's taking a trip for a little out patient surgery if he shows up in the morning.  (shhh!)
  5. One day this week we had fried chicken for dinner.  Alex was in heaven. ha.  The following afternoon I was surprised to see him get off the bus first and run toward the house.  He's usually last and quite slow.  I thought maybe something was wrong or he really had to go to the bathroom.  No, he ran straight to the refrigerator (with his coat still on) and pulled out the leftover chicken and a plate.  Ha.  That boy really loves his food!
  6. Two (three...just updated tonight) of my blog friends lost family members in the past week.  A fourth one almost did but it wasn't his time to go.  Life is short, isn't it?  You never know how long you'll have each other.  Makes me hug my boys a little tighter. 
  7. It's 53F degrees today and almost all of the snow has melted.  Just patches of the thicker piles are left.  Birds are singing.  I have daffodils peeking out of the ground.  Hmmm.  Could it be?  Don't pack away your winter coat just yet! ha.  I did that once.  I was a freshman in college.  I went home for break and it was spring weather!  I left my coat at home and then it snowed for a week!  I froze. I was only 18.  What did I know? ha.
  8. When the boys leave in the morning, I hold the front door open and they grab their lunch bag and walk out.  I usually am saying things like, 'Bye' and count each boy as they leave, "One...two... "  They don't ever look at me or respond in any way.  One day this week Harry picked up his lunch bag and gave me a kiss as he walked out the door.  Aw.  Melt my heart. 
  9. This is my 2000th post!  Wow!

81 comments:

  1. It's a lovely photo, Sunshine. How could someone so sunny love grey as much as you, I will never understand! Are you sure you need photography classes? I do enjoy hearing about your sons and the fun and clever things they do. Best of luck to Slate, poor chap. And congratulations on 2000 posts. That is quite an accomplishment. Each one is a pleasure.

    Enjoy your weekend, Pink Cloud. (smiling)

    Vincent xo

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    1. What? You don't think grey is sunny? :)

      Yes, I need a class! I just have a point-and-shoot camera. I don't even know what the settings mean. I didn't even know you couldn't buy extra lenses for my camera. haha...See? I know nothing!

      Cheers,
      Pink Cloud. ha.

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  2. Wow on 2000 posts!
    Your stories about Harry's kiss and Chicken loving Alex are so sweet.

    Yes life is short. A good friend was killed last weekend in that Denver 101 car pile up. She was just the sweetest, just 61 and recently retired so she could travel and sew more and spend time with her family.

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    1. I'm so sorry about your friend. Whenever I see those pile-ups that have fatalities in them I wonder if I know anyone in them.

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  3. Congratulations on your 2000 posts, I bet that you can't believe it!! Not that I know a thing, but I have noticed since I have been following your blog that there have been lots of little firsts that your young men have been doing, like Harry's kiss, I think that it is wonderful that their lives are progressing and just shows that nothing should ever be assumed, accepted or taken for granted. I hope that you have a great weekend and that you enjoy your photography course - we will look forward to seeing the results!! xx

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    1. I do love it when my boys do spontaneous little things. They do keep us on our toes but make us laugh a lot, too! :)

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  4. You definitely have an eye for photography - that is one adorable picture! I think you would make an awesome bird photographer!! Hope you have fun in your photography class. That sounds like so much fun!!

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    1. Well, what about YOU? :) You are very inspiring, Miss professional photographer. So..thank you...I do think I'll enjoy the class. I'm looking forward to improving my skills!

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    2. Thank you darling! But yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing more of your birdie pics! :)

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    3. Maybe I should graduate up to a DSLR? I might have to do a little shopping this weekend.

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    4. Maybe you should, as long as your budget allows of course. You've been blogging this long so why not treat yourself to something nice. There's a lot of entry level cameras out there that perform pretty nice, and they are not that pricey these days, Even second hand will work as well. I sold my first camera for 200 to my brother and the following month he upgraded to a more fancier camera. He got bitten by the photography bug too haha! But yeah don't go all crazy at first, start with something inexpensive and you'll see, you'll be amazed at what you can do. :)

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    5. I found a few used ones on amazon today for a very good price...a 'bundle' with camera a two lenses. I think this would be a great time to do it, too...before starting the class.

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    6. ...and I could sell the one I have! :)

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  5. oh by the way, congrats on your 2000 post! That's awesome! I don't even think I have my first 100th yet Lol

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    1. aw thanks! It took me 6 years!

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    2. I can imagine. I've been blogging since 2010, but I was never consistent, I'm working on that this year. Hehe :)

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    3. Well, that's the beauty of blogging...you can do it as little or as much as you want. Your blog is beautiful and it was your photography that got my attention! Very inspiring.

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  6. I've been thinking about you and your boys this week. On Monday when we left my brother, he was upset and clapping his hands. I reached out to him and he took my hand in his. I hugged him and told him, "I love you." and he repeated it back. It will be a new adventure for me, this journey of caring for my brother.

    I do love your gray photos, even if I do prefer green.

    :0)

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    1. Aw. My Alex claps his hands when he's upset. :( He lets out a yell with each clap, too. lol....

      There will be lots of green photos soon enough. ha.

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  7. Gray-t photo! Let us know how the photography class goes. Awww on the kiss... so sweet ♥ Happy 2000th post blogiversary! Have a great weekend, Betsy!

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  8. 2000 posts that is wonderful!
    All you hard work has not gone unnoticed. Your blog is one of the first blogs I check in with. You always have something going on that you share with us. It's either funny, loving, something weird, interesting, informational, yummy, profound,fun, encouraging, or all of the above.
    Now you are going to excite us even more with more artful pictures! Way to GO!
    Keep going Betsy. We love you!

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    1. Well, blogging doesn't really feel like work at all...it's my recreation! And I do love our little community. So fun and lots of sweet people. The Mister bought me a new camera tonight with two lenses. Found a great deal on amazon. Certainly a step up from what I had...now I really need that class! :)

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  9. Congrats on 2000 posts! What a milestone!

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    1. I had no idea it was that many! Time flies! lol....

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  10. Grey and you
    Bring quite the view
    2000 is a friggin ton
    Quite the run
    And Slate better stay away
    Avoid the snip snip bay

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    1. Slate will be just fine
      although I hate hearing them whine
      as you cart them away
      and they're scared that day.
      But they don't seem to hold a grudge
      and their minds don't give them a nudge
      on what we did to them.
      such a sin.
      haha.

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    2. haha yeah they get over it fast
      No hate to last

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  11. I misread the third item (about the toothbrushes) and thought you were saying YOU had a dog that had gone unmentioned before today. Fortunately I re-read it and figured out my mistake :-)

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    1. Oh, that is hilarious! hahaha...nope...no dog here. That's one pet I have never wished to have!

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  12. ha. i might have the same reaction to fried chicken....smiles...
    we got more snow today...abt 3 inches...it did warm up late in the day
    and melted it all off...in this bipolar winter.

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    1. Hey, did you know that today is Buffalo Wing's 50th Birthday?

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  13. Wow, 2000 posts! Impressive! -- silver fox

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    1. We share the six year anniversary. How about the # of posts? Maybe if you count the Rantz?

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    2. Too confusing. I've had two other blogs (besides David'Z RantZ) that ran for a very short while. Do you those count, or do they not count because the blogs were deleted? And what about Simpson/Lynch Studios? I wrote some, but not all of those... Confusing, innit? Okay... If we just go with the RantZ and the Foxyblog posts, I total 560 published in six years!

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    3. Well, I meant all of your blogs together. I thought you could just add the totals from your dashboard....didn't know it would be that confusing. :)

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  14. Congrats on your 2000th post - quite an achievement. But you discipline yourself to post every day.
    A lot of info on this one from birds playing peep-ho to whining electric toothbrushes. But hey, I think you are a pretty good photographer already. Interested to see the difference after your course . . . . . . which reminds me I have a creative writing course which I really must start doing soon.

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    1. Yes, I rambled on about a variety of topics, didn't I? haha. Just as if we were chatting over tea. :)

      I'm interesting in seeing a difference after the class, too...and the mister let me buy a new camera tonight..the one they recommended for the class, so that should help a lot, too!

      Now, what is this about a creative writing class? Can't really say I think you need one! Is it online? I've read your stories, you know...and they are quite good!

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    2. Glad you are getting a new camera with all the bells and chimes and no doubt telephoto, wide angle and zoom lenses etc.
      The creative writing course I have was a module form I bought two years ago and I have all the exercises which must be submitted regularly - it is not on-line. It is run by an outfit called Writer's Bureau and is called "Comprehensive Writing Course". Couldn't do it until recently because Maria was unwell. Thanks for your positive feedback re my writing. Love doing that.

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    3. I can tell you enjoy it. Now that you have a little time maybe you can jump into it...that is after you're done with The Magic Flute translations. :) Yeah, I might even be able to see England with my new camera. How fun. :)

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    4. Magic Flute finished!! Think I should learn German!!
      Might see England!!! Do you mean you might be able to see it with your telephoto lens and are you coming to bless us with your presence? lol

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    5. haha...I meant with my lens. ;)

      I took 2 years of German in high school. I can't speak more than 2 or 3 words of it. ha.

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    6. lol Your teacher must have been lousy!!! ROFL

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    7. haha...We had to learn 2 years of sentence structure, proper grammar and tenses before learning to speak it. It was quite disappointing since hearing/understanding and speaking it would have been the most practical. I didn't go on with the third year of it.

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    8. We had a dreadful History Teacher - he was hopeless. A senior boy asked us before our Exams what we (about 6 of us) knew about the Tudors and the Stewarts and quickly discovered almost nothing. He taught us in 6 weeks enough to get us through our General Certifcate of Education and we all got passes and one even a distinction lol. I'll never forget that chap. Well time to turn it - it's late here. Goodnight to you and to USA.

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  15. This is a really.lovely shot!
    Im impressed Betsy 2000.posts are amazing!
    This year I will.have 7 years but never Many posts like you normally I.post twice a week but yiu are amazing Betsy:)

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    1. Well, you post recipes! I just blabber on about anything. ha.

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    2. Oh Betsy you make beautiful posts and lovely shots always, I take more pictures today but I dont know when I will have internet again!

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    3. Can't wait to see them. Glad you're having a relaxing, fun time!

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  16. Happy 2000! That's quite an accomplishment. I'll have to check how many posts I've done...
    Love the picture - I love the gray too.
    It hit 40 here today. It'll bee some time before we see grass though.
    That Harry story made me smile big!

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    1. 40 probably felt pretty warm, though! I hope you warm up slowly so you don't flood!

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  17. You have so many good things to celebrate this week. I smiled when I read the note about Alex and the fried chicken. I've come home with some delicious leftovers on my mind, too. And how sweet about Spencer kissing you! Congratulations on 2000th post!!! Keep them coming - I read every day.

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    1. Just like you said today...it's the little things! :)

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  18. Congrats on your blogging milestone! I am so happy that Wanda introduced us. How fun to take a photography class. I am terrible about not knowing how to use all the settings on my camera! So happy your weather is warming a little! So cute about the "hurry" to get to the fried chicken and how precious that Spencer kissed you. I know that made your day. God bless you all this weekend.
    Mildred

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    1. I'll have to post my weekly assignments from the class. I'm pretty excited about it. I tend to just use auto focus and the edit the photo to try to get the look I want. I feel very naive when it comes to photography and cameras in general. ha. Hope they are up for a challenge! lol....

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  19. New camera, 2000th post, grey photo. Wow you're on a roll! :)

    I need a class for my camera too! Maybe one of those lazy summer days can be used for reading directions. Ha

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    1. I'll have to post my assignments and let you live vicariously. ha. Safe travels tomorrow! xo

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    2. Ha I don't know about that.

      Thanks for the well wishes. We're on the road for an hour and a half. Another 4-1/2 to go

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    3. I'm glad you were able to go home last weekend...means so much now, doesn't it? :)

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  20. Your boys always make me smile with each and everything thing they do!

    I think it's fantastic you are taking photography classes. Pass it all on to us! :)

    XO,
    Jane

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    1. I'm sure I'll post my assignments. Hopefully I'll learn a thing or two! :)

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  21. Here's a test comment. See:

    https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!category-topic/blogger/blup7gNvzLs

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  22. Betsy you already take great photos. You don't need photography lessons.

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    1. I respectfully disagree! haha. Hey...I got a new camera and lenses...so let's see if I can't learn something and improve a little. :)

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  23. Don't take photography classes too seriously. Ask a lot more questions and be sure you get answers that make sense. And for some real inspiration, you might consider letting one of the boys use one of your cameras to take a couple of pictures to see what they like to take pictures of. I think you will be stunned.

    I have had a couple of Lumix cameras. Love them for all they do. A point and shoot camera. I got three -- gave two away and got another one for myself. Canon makes a great camera and they just came out with a new Rebel. My oldest daughter, Angela, showed up here the other day with it and was taking lots of photos. It isn't that expensive but cost more than the point and shoot Lumix.

    Tell the boys, Abraham Lincoln, said, "Hello."

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    1. Thanks, Abe. I'll tell them.

      And yes, I agree about not taking the class too seriously. It looks like a fun one, though, and I hope I can learn a thing or two. They did say that they encourage lots of questions and they have an open forum. I'm looking forward to it!

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  24. Love this post... so many things to comment on!

    We all started using an electric toothbrush about a year ago. I like that it forces my son to brush longer. For your boys, I wonder if they can learn to use it more independently as they can hold it up to their teeth without having to move the brush up and down on their own. Glad that Spencer isn't still howling, though. I thought maybe the pitch was bothering him but it was probably just that it was a new sound.

    When I was your boys' age, fried chicken was my favorite meal so I can relate to Alex's reaction, haha. It must have been really good chicken!

    Very sweet that Harry gave you the kiss. Awww!

    Good luck with Slate today.

    I'll look forward to hearing how you like the online photography class. I am guessing you will really enjoy it a lot.

    Congrats on post #2000!

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    1. We originally got electric toothbrushes just so we could do a better job with the boys' teeth. You can get so many more brush rotations that doing it manually. The thing with them is that they lock their cheeks and tongue around their teeth so it's nearly impossible to get a brush in there! And then they don't rinse or spit. Crazy. But the electric toothbrush has helped a lot. I was afraid it was going to be the pitch, too...and maybe it was ..but at least it only lasted the first time. It really was hilarious. Wish I had captured it on video.

      We all love fried chicken...yum. But we usually take our coats off before digging into the refrigerator. hahaha....

      Slate gets picked up in a couple of hours. He cried the whole way there. Good grief. Hope he forgives me.

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  25. its so good to find you again, in December when my eyes worsened I thought my blogging was finished, I have a new computer and program for the visually impaired and I am back, trying to find everyone and start over, I have missed you all so much, I hope Slate doesn't hear about his appointment, lol, my new blog is almost the same name, but its new

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    1. Well, there you are! :) Hey your new computer and program sound awesome! I'm so glad you were able to do that. I had meant to say hi on facebook but didn't ever get to your page to do that, so I'm happy to see you today!

      I get to pick up Slate in a couple of hours. He's one of the sweetest kitties to come our way. I'm so glad he's staying. :)

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  26. Oh Betsy, there is such a variety of topics in this post! 2000 wows for the thousands of ideas in the 1999 left! The little stories about your boys always make me smile. And happy, because usually these are positive ones.- And I am also glad about Slate's fate! I bet, if you give him a little extra love in his reconvalescence now, he will forgive you for sure the anxiety he might have experienced!
    Christel

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    1. Poor Slate cried the whole way to his surgery. Oh dear. He's home now, but still asleep. They said all was well. Tomorrow he'll be good as new...but better than before. lol....

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  27. Oh poor dears, both of you! I remember my former cats always wailing in the car as if they were tortured. It was rather hard to stand. And Slate might not only have been frightened about where he was taken to, but maybe suffered a severe discomfort in respect to his sense of balance. A vet told me, that many cats have this problem in a car. I hope Slate will be well again soon.
    Have a nice Sunday! Christel

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    1. Oh, I know! It could be both...feeling off balance and the fear of the unknown! He's fine this morning though and rubbing around my legs and purring. I'm so glad they forget! haha.

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    2. Good to hear. But I do not think, they really forget. Only mentioning the word 'vet' to my husband over the breakfast table sends my Rosie upstairs to the linen cupboard for hours! But I would say, that as a clever cat Slate lays his priority on the obviously positive facts: he's back to his nice, warm shelter and the very kind lady, who treated him so well, is still there also. Perfect.

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    3. Yes, you are probably right. I remember Marmalade leading a group of cats off our property the morning they were to go! I'd never seen anything like it. I've always said he thought he was protecting them! :) So they probably don't forget...just forgive us. lol....
      I'm so glad Slate is staying. He's the perfect blend of beauty and personality. He's already affectionate and likes to be picked up. I don't have to work at it for years like some of my timid feral ones.

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  28. Wow! 2000! And I think I have read just about every one! I have always enjoyed your blog, Betsy, and now it has almost become a daily staple. CONGRATULATIONS!

    I was at a weekend retreat so just getting online now. One of the things I discussed there involved John-Michael's passing and his friendship and blogging. So I can very much relate to holding your loved ones tighter. We just never know.

    Smiling about the fried chicken... that boy was on a mission! And how sweet that you got a kiss. I have said this before, but the boys really seem to be more open about certain things since attending this new school. Or maybe age helps too? I don't know. But whatever the reason, I love you sharing their unexpected gestures.

    I bet the new photography class will be interesting, but like others have hinted at, don’t let it hinder your creativity. I have known some who have benefitted greatly from a course and others who let it dictate to them. Mind you… can’t see you being the latter! Have fun with it! I have been thinking about taking one too. I usually take pretty good pictures, but could always use improvement. I sometimes think it’s a fluke when they turn out so nicely – hee hee!

    I am so happy about Slate – he will be a happy boy now. Or an “it?” Nah, I still prefer to think of him as a boy.

    How that bird didn’t choke on that seed is beyond me. Yikes!

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    1. I'm glad you got to get away yourself this weekend and hope you had a relaxing time!

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  29. 2000th post? WOW. A celebration is in order. WTG, Betsy. I seriously don't know how you do it.

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