When I was 69

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Some critters for this week

Appreciating the little blown glass cat with a goldfish inside, and my own Muffin fluffy gal from way back when (before 2012).

Lovely Llamas, but small file so foggy shot.

Who I'm sharing my balcony with... She's busy building this nest...first shot taken Sunday April 12, second below on Wednesday April 15.

I don't sit out there but an hour or so a day...and so far I don't see any reason to make her move. Perhaps I will when I consider all her little ones...

Ganesh

"lead-voe-elephant" (That's how I saved it, no idea what it means.)

I enjoy seeing other's critters photos. I hope our love of animals continues to support their lives!

Sharing with Saturday's Critters.

Don't miss Martha Grover's pottery at Alchemy of Clay

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And trains are running again, first freight train since Hurricane Helene washed out tracks/beds nearby in Sept 2024.

UPDATE – Train Schedule Change 

Happy Saturday, Asheville! We’ve got an updated itinerary and some exciting news—welcome back Norfolk Southern!

The train will now depart Oyama in Hickory heading west between 7:45 AM – 8:00 AM. 

This is a 58-car train, and timing is estimated as follows:
10:45 – 11:45 AM: Old Fort
 Noon: Old Fort Loops, then continuing up the mountain toward Asheville.

(Black Mountain will be after the loops...)
Times may shift slightly, so keep your eyes and ears open—and enjoy the ride through the mountains today!


I've got my windows open to hear the toot of the train as it goes across Blue Ridge Rd. at the foot of my hill.

Friday, April 17, 2026

As I recover back at home, my photo opportunities are limited. Here's the April 15 view of fallen dogwood petals and transformation to greenery. Those leaves at the base of the tree were the early harbingers of spring a month ago...daffodils.

On a tangent, I'd like to recommend a short article on Substack by Robertson Work...which I've linked over on my blog Inner Workings. or go directly to his essay Being and Doing in Mystery and Ecstasy.

But let's consider Sepia Saturday for a moment. Suggestion of an old truck. I think I've already posted what photos I had in my files. Let's see if there's anything new available.

Our host Alan gives this information on the above photo:

Our theme image this week features an early twentieth century motor vehicle (the body of which, coincidentally, was built by my father's Uncle Albert). Leaving aside the family pride, you might want to use the image to prompt reflections on vehicles past and present, or, noting that the wagon was used to transport beer, you might want to take a diversion into the realm of beer bottles. And, as always, you can take a completely unchartered diversion to wherever you want - all we ask for is an old image and some new thoughts. Deliver them on or around Saturday 18th April 2026 and leave a link on the list at Sepia Saturday.

When living in Tampa FL until 2007 when I retired, I would drive busy streets constantly. Back before I was blogging, I already was taking photos thinking artistically. And at that point I had Picasa, a free photo editing program. So I formed collages with the topic "Rear Windows."

If you live in a city, you stop in traffic frequently, and see interesting windows of the vehicles ahead of you...thus the rear windows.

I'm going to include some as individual shots too so you can see the details.

OK, to be continued. There are too many for one blog post. And if you're interested, help me figure out which year all those license plates were from. I can't focus on any so far...sometime on or before 2007. To be continued.

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Those for whom I'm grateful!

Thankful Thursday

Shared from FaceBook

Some archaeology for you...

The Cybele plate is a Bronze gilded disc dated ca 300-200 BC discovered at Ai-Khanoum, Bactria (today northern Afghanistan). It depicts Kybele, the Anatolian mother goddess, riding a chariot together with a winged goddess, most likely Nike. The chariot is pulled by lions and above them are depicted the Sun Helios, the moon and the morning star.

But who is the figure on the far right? I will have to do some more research, I'm thinking.

This weekend a friend and her hubby are going to a beach near Charleston SC. They will probably see this. I am so grateful that they'll get to enjoy this...as they have been so giving in helping me while I was sick.

Sedona AZ offered a wonderful vista for one of my daughters-in-law last week. Simply heavenly!

Another daughter-in-law shared her prize of "Best Dessert" at Florida Foodies Fest for her Macarons. (Not macaroons!) St. Petersburg, FL.

Another daughter-in-law in the red shirt came out to support Allison Russo, (in white jacket) a candidate for Ohio Secretary of State, and "Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America"

When a son divorces the mother of my grandkids, she becomes a friend as well as ex-daughter-in-law. I wish her many ways of happiness.

A huge thank you to all my blog friends who have sent supportive comments while I was hospitalized and first at home dealing with total focus on my health. It was so appreciated by this elder who continues to hope for other things to be of interest than myself!

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Garden Bloggers Bloom Day

Sharing with Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - on the 15th of the month.

Outside my front door, a kind of spastic azalea. Or perhaps split personality? A dark butterfly is on the lower right blossom.

The bewildering array of oxygen tanks with a gauge saying the connected one is empty (in the red). Someone turned it all the way "on" while I was gone...or perhaps the EMTs as they left to take me to hospital Friday the 3rd. Now I need to figure out how to switch the gauge setup to another tank so I can try carrying it around, if I so choose. So far I haven't felt much difference with oxygen "as needed." Mainly it's a pain in the "feet don't trip over the tubing" all over the place inside the house. I have two other methods of getting O2 in portable ways.