Looking for Zen at the Creek...

And NO these are not my challenge photos either...lol...But I went to the creek to look for Zen and after 2 hours here are a few of the photos that I thought were interesting enough to share...

I liked this one, it reminded me of an impressionism painting...

An Orb Weaver...I really had a hard time getting the camera to focus as this little darling was busy with her web and wouldn't stop and pose...

My favorite butterfly....Peacock butterfly. They are always around the creek and I love the challenge of getting a decent photo of one...

This I think is a Spiny Aster...tiny and beautiful.

Okay Mom and Karen I need your help with the flower below...I looked through all 3 of my wildflower books and couldn't find it. It was on the bank up above the creek.

I loved what the 50mm lens did with this flower...it was beautiful and I walked by it twice looking for Zen before I spotted it, lol...thank goodness it wasn't a snake!

I did get a few photos I think might be Zen and will post my challenge photos later...

I hope y'all enjoyed my photos from the creek...Have a good rest of your weekend :o)

I'm voting Democrat!

Why I'm voting Democrat:

• I'm voting democrat because Barbara Walters is my idol and so is P.Diddy.
• I'm voting Democrat because English has no place being the official language in America.
• I'm voting Democrat because I'd rather pay $4 for a gallon of gas than allow drilling for oil off the coasts of America.
• I'm voting Democrat because I think the government will do a better job of spending my money than I could.
• I'm voting Democrat because when we pull out of Afghanistan and Iraq, I know the Islamic terrorists will stop trying to kill us because they'll think we're a good and decent country.
• I'm voting Democrat because I believe people who can't tell us if it will rain in two or three days, can now tell us the polar ice caps will disappear in ten years if I don't start riding a bicycle, build a windmill or inflate my tires to proper levels.
• I'm voting Democrat because it's alright to kill millions of babies aslong as we keep violent, convicted murderers on death row alive.
• I'm voting Democrat because I believe businesses in America should not be allowed to make profits. Businesses should just break even and give the rest to the government so politicians and bureaucrats can redistribute the money the way they think it should be redistributed.
• I'm voting Democrat because I believe guns, and not the people misusing them, are the cause of crimes and killings.
• I'm voting Democrat because when someone with a weapon threatens my family or me, I know the government can respond faster through a call to 911 than I can with a gun in my hand.
• I'm voting Democrat because oil companies' 5% profit on a gallon of gas are obscene, but government taxes of 18% on the same gallon of gas are just fine.
• I'm voting Democrat because I believe three or four elitist liberals should rewrite the Constitution every few months to suit some fringe element that could never get their agenda past voters.
• I'm voting Democrat because illegal aliens are not criminals, are not sucking up resources through government aid, hospital services, education, or social services, but are just people trying to make a better life by coming to America illegally. We can't blame them for that, can we?
• I'm voting Democrat because the same teacher that didn't teach my child to read can reasonably educate them about sex.
• I'm voting Democrat because my trial lawyer's crippling multi-million dollar lawsuits against doctors, hospitals, drug companies, and HMO's will make health insurance and medicine much more affordable.
• I'm voting Democrat because Al Sharpton, Louis Farrakhan, and Jesse Jackson will end racism once and for all.
• I'm voting Democrat because Christians in the Republican Party are intolerant, theocratic warmongers and atheists like William Ayers have never hurt anybody.
• I'm voting Democrat so that no family member of mine will die in a hospital bed. They will still be waiting in line for Obama's socialized medicine, so they will never actually make it into a hospital bed.
• I'm voting Democrat because I like eminent domain and big business and government kicking me out of my home and taking my land.
• I'm voting Democrat because everyone knows that raising taxes at the top won't hurt people at the bottom.
• I'm voting Democrat because good oratory skills are more important than judgment and experience.
• I'm voting Democrat because protecting barren wasteland is more important than energy indepedence.
• I'm voting Democrat because my college professor told me that America is evil and should give up its place in the world.
• I'm voting Democrat because I believe that Cuba, Russia, and China should be on the United Nations Human Rights Council.
• I'm voting Democrat because I believe that everyone is essentially good -- even people like Ahmadinejad who call for the destruction of Israel. He just needs a little understanding.
• I'm voting Democrat because we should all be forced to drive ugly cars with the horsepower of a riding lawnmower.
• I am voting Democrat because I believe in change; although I don't know WHAT the change will be, or HOW it will happen, AND I am pretty sure that I won't WANT to actually change anything I do, but still....I believe in change.
• I'm voting Democrat because the government knows how to raise children better than parents do.
• I'm voting Democrat because I want the rich to work harder, give me their money, and pay for my services so I don't have to.
• I'm voting Democrat because I don't give to charity or do volunteer work and then I complain about how selfish everyone else is.
• I'm voting Democrat because I've seen welfare help so many poor people become self-sufficient and upwardly mobile.
• I'm voting Democrat because I'm not driven enough to realize my dreams without the government holding my hand the entire way.
• I'm voting Democrat because I want America to be Europe's prosthetic limb.
• I'm voting Democrat because I think we all should be equal...equally unhappy and unsuccessful.
• I'm voting Democrat because life just isn't fair and I deserve what other people have without working for it.
• I'm voting Democrat because I like hearing the word "Change" 50 million times in presidential debate, seeing the word on celebrities' t-shirts and bags, on signs outside of million dollar houses, and know that the only change that is going to happen is that I'm going to work 40 hours a week and not even see a penny of my paycheck because taxes will go through the roof!!! YAY!!!!
• I'm voting Democrat because Barack Obama is better than you, and he knows it!
• I'm voting Democrat because I like how democrats can cause financial crises' like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and have the temerity to blame them on Republicans.
• I'm voting Democrat because Obama was endorsed by Hamas and terrorists endorsements are a must to achieve world peace.
• I am voting Democrat since I believe those who are lazy, druggies, high school drop outs, etc. should be entitled to the money I wake up every morning and work my ass off to make!
• I'm voting Democrat because fire can't melt steel.
• I'm voting Democrat because for some reason "change, change, change"..is the mantra for the obama camp...so, since he won't explain what 'change' is...i guess he's asking for parking meter fare?...i have three quarters in my wallet.
• I'm voting democrat because it's the COOL thing to do. I'm hip and in the majority.
• I'm voting Democrat because I listen to and believe all the celebrities/actors who so passionately want Obama to win because I can't think for myself at all. The same celebrities who WE make rich because we GO SEE their movies and watch their T.V. shows put millions of dollars into their pockets! but...these multi-million dollar celebs are so disheartened by AMERICAN ways and the capitalistic economy we have and the world will come to and end if another Republican comes into office...hmmmmm...
• I'm voting Democrat because I'm a dumbass and because "Hillary said so"
• I'm voting Democrat because I won't be subjected to any criteria for meeting U.S. terrorists and having a cool-aid with any of them, and one last critical factor.
• I'm voting Democrat because of the War on Terror. We have not been attacked once since Sept. 11, 2001, and that was caused by Bill Clinton, but I still don't feel safe.
• I'm voting Democrat because communist economics always work. Look how well off the Soviet Union is right now. That wall in Berlin has never looked better.
• I'm voting Democrat because I agree with Joe Biden, that it really is patriotic to pay more taxes. So I'm going to pay a "direct tax." Instead of wasting time giving it to the government for redistribution, I will give my money to derelicts who loiter outside of liquor stores and methadone clinics.

That's where it ends up anyway.

YES WE CAN...screw up this country like never before.

Working on the Challenge...

This weeks photo challenge is a bit of a challenge for me...it is Zen photograpy! Today I took 100's of photos trying to figure out Zen photography...These are NOT my challenge photos but just photos that I took that I liked...I used my 50mm lens today too!

Skipper butterfly on Boganvilla bloom

I had a helper today ~ Ralph our barn cat.

Longtailed Skipper butterfly on Wild Mum bloom.

He's a beetle but not sure what, as he isn't in any of my books, lol.

A 2 for one shot, lol...(skipper butterflies)

A buzy beee.....

It's an Ant!

A skipper butterfly with it's wings open to the sun...

If you would like to see what the photo challenge is this week you can click here.

My evening in photos...

For one it rained again today, Yea!! I was told by someone who watches the weather that it was a tropical wave coming in and that is why we are finally getting some rain...YeeHaw!

On Wednesday evenings a friend teaches the youth group at her church and Michael and I go to it. For some reason I decided to take my camera tonight and glad I did....

Michael and I spotted a rainbow as we were driving down the driveway...Not to big or bright but still pretty with the Oak trees.

Upon arriving at the church we spotted these huge thunderheads, I thought they were worth a photo...Beautiful as those clouds mean rain!! and lightning too but no photos of that tonight!

My boy!! See Erin I do take photos of him! He even has clothes on too & a cheesy grin to boot!

Ashley and Michael playing "I am the vine and you are the branch"

Uh Oh Kaden is getting the look from Ashley, and Michael is thinking "Dude you are in big trouble!" lol....Ashley is 4 and already has the boys trying to hold her hand! But with that look I think she can stand her ground!! Ashley finally gave in and let both boys hold her hand.

We had a really good time tonight! Michael was exhausted! It makes for a very long day!

Scrapbook layout ~ Paper ~ Welcome home Jake!

Another October 2007 layout done!

And just who do you want running this Country....

Wake up America!

Here is a video at JohnMcCain's site click on the link below

Barack Obama and Acorn

I'm sorry but Barack Obama just scares me...do we really know him?

I don't!

It rained today...

For about 10 minutes!

We received 1/10th of an inch of rain...Not much but better than none!

Before a storm, Julie always comes up to the front yard gate and stands...She knows!

Beautiful rain...

I was attempting photos of raindrops but those things are fast, lol...

Layouts ~ paper & digital ~ First day of school

Paper is from Scenic Route designed by Sarah Milne
Buttons are from Ki memories ~ School days
Cricut cartridges used ~ Locker talk & Learning curve

I wanted to do Michael's 'first day of school' layouts before I got old and forgetful, lol. I kept notes during his first week of school to add to a layout (below).

Digital kit ~ O'scraps ~ School is cool

Notebook paper ~ Scrappony ~ journal papers

Cluster frames ~ Mariala France ~ Photo template

What's in the Mums this evening...

I was trying to stay awake this evening as it was too late for a nap...so I decided to go outside and see what type of critters I could find in the mums in the yard...I ended up running back inside and grabbing the camera and putting the 55mm lens on to see what kind of photos I could get...

This is what made me go grab the camera...

This spider had captured a bee and was feasting on it...Not too great of a photo but you get the idea...it was pretty cool and even Fred said it was Cool...not a grunt but actually a word, lol...

Then I spotted this spider working on her nest of eggs....I took quiet a few photos of her...

And along came a bee and I had fun trying to get a photo of the busy little worker...

The grasshoppers are still enjoying any and all plants in the yard, chomp, chomp!! I loved the colors on this one...

Yes another Mum bloom, I just can't help myself...I'm sure you are wondering how many photos of Mums can this woman take, lol...the answer: As many as I want! It's one of the only spots of color in the yard...

And another grasshopper...this one was on my Fica (sp.) tree enjoying his dinner, grrr....

I was experimenting with the lens too...Seeing which one I like better for Macro photos...With the 55 mm lens I can get in closer but the clarity and crispness of the photos is lacking...So it's still a toss up...do I give up the crispness of the photos to get in closer or do I go with the 28-105 mm lens and have to crop everything...hmmm...or do I keep my fingers crossed that a Macro lens is in my future, lol...Never Ever give up HOPE!!

Photo Challenge # 20 ~ Colors of Nature

This weeks photo challenge was "Colors of Nature"

Specifically Foliage

(Leaves, Flowers and Branches)

Like everyone else so far, I had problems deciding which photo I liked best but below are the ones I decided to post...

Prickly Pear Cactus

Due to everyone who left comments I put the Cactus as my choice for the challenge, lol...Nice thing about it being your blog you can change things around...

My favorite! But then they all are, lol...

The plumbago above was Fred's pick.

Cockle Burrs

I learned something new today when I looked the above wildflower up in my reference books. It is called False Annual Broomweed and it is all over the pasture. But I read it is an eye irritant to livestock and humans. So now I know why Julie's eyes have been tearing up, interesting. I always thought it was a type of baby's breath but it isn't and in the old'en days the settlers used to cut it and put it together to use it as a broom, hence the name "Broomweed".

Walk in the Pasture ~ Misc. Photos

This afternoon I decided to take a 15 minute walk out into the pasture to see what photos I could find for the photo challenge this week...These are misc. photos I took that didn't apply to the challenge but I thought they were nice or interesting...

Southern Snout Butterfly...it's a bit blurry but I wanted to share it!

This is a Julie butterfly...LOL...Not sure how she can stand to eat that brown crunchy stuff but she does...and I honestly don't believe she's underfed!

Crunch, Crunch, Munch, Munch...Mmmmm!

Just to give you a look at how dry and crunchy we are!

I also found another Golden-rod spider...not quiet as big as the one I took a photo of the other day but still pretty neat...I just love how they blend in so well on the flowers...