Safe Port

Hello, all!  Today my entry is about having a safe and beautiful port.  Donna's animation says it all.   A safe harbor from the storms and turbulent seas is a blessing.  May you all have safe harbors to dock in and rest your ships.   The photos are the ones promised from an entry a few days ago.  The sunset was just turning pink along a handy stretch of clouds allowing the boats and the water to highlight the beauty of the moment.   The moon was peeking out and was fairly low in the sky that evening.  Marinas are wonderful spots for walks and photography.     Maria

Donna's_Journal

Morning Glories

Good morning!  It's amazing how the time rolls by and next thing you know almost a week has passed.  The hummingbirds are from another journal and the artist is a Pacific Northwest talent.  I love her work. She has shows here from time to time. 

The morning glories are from my yard...they are taking over and I let them do it this summer.  They make some very creative designs and I just didn't have time to keep up with them so I thought ... if you can't beat them...join them.  I found beauty in them amidst all the tangles and twists.   I think life is that way...sometimes you just have to join in the mess...there always comes a time when things get cleaned up.   Enjoy the moments..remember the morning glories!  Have a great day, everyone!   Maria

 

Back to my photos - Sunset in Desmoines, WA

The AOL celebration was interesting and fun.   Wish I had more time to journal.  These sunsets are from a Marina in DesMoines about 5 miles from my home.  It's really beautiful...I have some pretty shots of the water and pink clouds reflecting amongst the boats which I'll save for a little later...Maria

Maria 

 

 

Special Entry for AOL 3 year Celebration-We are Together

My last three entries have been about the AOL 3 years of journaling Celebrations.....

I"ve only been journaling for about 1 and 1/2 years.  During this time my computer crashed and I lost a lot of photos...happily some of my favorites were saved since I had them on my journals. I have learned so many things and met some great journalers.  

It occurred to me that it would be nice to do something special for the 3 year celebration AOL is having for journalers.  This sun/moon photo collage is a small way of noting that there are certain things that we all do that bring us together and make us feel as one.  People journal for all different reasons.   When we share our journals we are together...just like when we all look up in the sky each day for the sun or the moon we are together we share a common view.   The reasons we look are different but the view is still shared. 

 
Why do I journal?
I've always enjoyed reading, my whole life.  I feel that writing and photography capture moments of life that otherwise would escape like mist in the morning sun.  AOL offers a way to share writings and photos as moments of life.  I write and photograph to remember and share something I thought was beautiful or fun...hoping that someone else may find it to be the same for them.   I look throughout other journals for the same thing.  Sometimes I find courage in the face of adversity which has a beauty of it's own. Sometimes I find talent that is amazing and fun.   Most times I find some very cool souls who share their warmth and vitality....this entry is a big thanks to all of you!!  I have stayed with journaling because of all of you.  You all inspire me. 

How about you?  Why do you journal?  Make a short entry in your journal, leave a link in my comments and I'll add you to this entry!  Happy journaling all!

Dianna (Sazzy) made my name tag.

Red Carpet Celebrations for AOL's 3yrs of Journals

A special red carpet affair is happening on Sunday with the AOL Journalers.  Everyone has chosen a special outfit and shoes.  I have chosen a yellow gown with special fantasy shoes compliments of Donna...sparkles are me!  See her link on my Sidebar or click on the shoe!

See Vivian's journal - click on the red carpet tag..:)

 

My dress and shoes for the red carpet Chat!

AOL J-land celebrates 3 years!!!! A Peek!

Hello, all!  

I have been entirely too busy lately...haven't made an entry for awhile...AOL Journal-land is celebrating three years on the 21st!  Many of the journalers are posting special celebratory entries.  I will be posting something special soon as well....it was about 1 and 1/2 years ago that I started journaling....what instigated it was a return from a trip to Mexico.  I always seem to get motivated to write when I travel!

In any case,  I would like to show you links to a few journals you can visit which have done some extraordinary things to celebrate:

Stevie has put together a wonderful video of picture of some of the journalers and songs.   See his entry:   Stevie's  Video Celebratory Journal.

Shelly has some great things to share on her entry: xx RoxyMama xx

Chris is so talented with animations..here is her entry for the 3 year celebration: Cab's Creations

Sugar has a special entry for pet memorials in celebration..: Pet Memorials

Stephen has developed some great albums using Woohoo site.  See his entry:  Raining Photos.

Vivian has been a guest editor and is capturing some of these and other events in her creative entries on: Nwanyiomas Journal

Donna has done a great job too so far with her journal adding special celebratory animations.  She her entry:  Donna's Journal .  (She also created the red hat animation...)

I will be adding more as I get some time!

Japanese Garden surprise!

  Yes, another surprise garden...I found this at the same place at the Highline Botanical garden..just down to one side I stumbled on it...didn't realize it was there!  Life really is a journey ...if you like this animation you should visit Cab's Creations...she is amazing....this is one of hers and goes quite well with the subject..don't you think?    The Japanese garden is newly planted this year!  I don't know why but all the rocks reminded me of Arizona too....I love this little garden surprise.   You just never know what's around the corner which is a lot like our journey through life!   Maria  :)

 

A Walk in the Highline/Seatac Botanical Garden

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Opps, just a clarification...the garden was moved and relocated to this spot...the community saved it from being demolished...isn't that great?   The third runway is still on schedule for the original location..... Also, I added a clematis photo from the garden too!

I discovered a very neat garden by our Seatac Recreation center.  It is part of a women's garden that was going to be demolished to make way for third runway at the airport.  Some people dug up the plants and ideas and saved them.  The columns are something very cool but I don't know if they were part of her original garden.  It's a wonderful place for a picnic...and a butterfly garden is being planned there in the near future....can't wait.   Have you any hidden or unvisited gardens in your neighborhood or close by?  I'm going to look out for more....     Maria  :)

 

 

My Blue Angels Experience

Hi, all!   I watched the blue angels Three days in a row!   Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Friday from a hill above the race course,  Saturday from my parent's home and then Sunday at my home on TV and from my back deck.  It was a beautiful weekend all three days...the fog did not roll in this weekend.  The Angels were able to perform their high show all three days.   These photos were all from Friday.  You can see the I-90 bridge and the people in the distance watching from the bridge....while FAT Albert flies across it.  Lots of boats in Seattle turned out for this and the Hydroplane races.  I didn't make it to the races but did watch on Sunday.  What a great weekend it has been here in Seattle.   In the 80's this weekend.  It's something that I always look forward to every year! ...you see it is the anniversary of my meeting my husband....34 years ago today!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Postcard Exchange

I have joined up with those of you doing the Postcard exchange!  It's simple...email me your address and I'll email mine to you.   Don't leave it in the comments....I've received three so far and emailed three...I will be posting them on my journal as time goes on and maybe make a photopatchwork out of them...just an idea for now......Maia

 

 

The Blue Angels are coming!

Yay!  The Blue Angels are coming this weekend to the Seafair Races.  I look forward to these Angels in the sky every year.   One year a local politician had them banned because they made so much noise over the lake...guess what?  By popular demand they were back the next year.   I can't take credit for these pictures since I got them in an email that was going around but judging from another photo in the collection they were taken prior to Sept. 2001.   I've been so busy I haven't had time to visit other journals recently and this update is long overdue.  Hope all in journal land are doing well,  I've missed you but do get such a kick out of reading your comments!  I try to visit everyone who comments!   Have a great day!   Maria