190- What Is It?

Several weeks ago I noticed this *thing* in my garden shed. I don't know if it is a cocoon, a chrysalis or something entirely different, but here it is! Does anyone have any good guesses, or better yet, cold hard facts?

It is slightly smaller than a golf ball and attached to the stud by the same material used to construct the *cocoon*. At first I thought nothing had ever emerged. I wondered if it got too hot in the enclosed space of the shed for its occupant. But then I went out and took a closer look. (Yup, stopped in the middle of the post and went out for a closer look!) And look what I saw when I laid down on the floor of my garden shed and pointed my camera up!!


FONTS- Problem Secretary, CK Cursive, BRUSH- KPertiet_LedgerFrames, BA_photomask01a, ACTION- (A2D)_Lomo_V2

It's beautiful! It looks like a snail or sea shell swirl! And I could see the hole in the bottom that shows that some THING emerged. Now I am even more curious!

This is the first photo I was going to post. It gives you an idea what it looks like from the side.



Let that be a lesson to me about looking carefully.

An aside~ Wouldn't it be interesting to have photographs of the photographer in all of the various positions I end up in to *get that shot*?

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Go to MCP Actions and follow her directions. :)


Wow!! Thanks for everything Jodi!!

189- Damon

You know the old saying, "There's nothing like a good _______, in this case, photo? Well, today's POTD is NOTHING like a good photo!! Bwahahahahaha...

For some odd reason I took my *little-marsupial-pocket-camera* out of my purse! Big mistake! If ever I needed a camera that would take a decent picture this was the time! But all I had was my Razr Phone camera. Bah!

OK, so now for the story... Megan and the kids are still here visiting (they have lots of Utah family so they are spreading out the visiting). Grampy and the Texas family went to the zoo while I was working at the Temple. When I got finished there was a message from Grampy to meet them for dinner up in Sandy. I called Gordon's phone and *a man* answered the phone AND HE CALLED ME GRAMMIE in his deep voice! That kind of took me back! A man that calls me Grammie... a man that is 13.5 years old and nearly 6' tall. Ok, so I felt old!

But I digress... at dinner our server, Damon (a very nice young man), has this electronic gadget that looks like a large touchscreen cell phone. He puts in our order via this device! But the frosting on the cake came when it was time to pay the bill!!! I handed him my card, he swiped it through the bottom of his electronic device and the charge slip prints out of a little holster on his hip!!! I am NOT KIDDING! And me without a decent camera! (I should be ashamed!! I did take a photo with Megan's camera, so when she emails it to me I will update this grainy one!)

188- Spider's Web

I've always been fascinated with spider webs. There is such intricacy in their design. I captured this one at Cascade Springs and the only thing it seems to have caught so far is fluff from the cottonwood trees and willows.


FONTS- Problem Secretary, CK Cursive, BRUSH- KPertiet_LedgerFrames, BA_photomask01a, ACTION- DP Moms Perfect Workflow action

On another subject-

I'm taking the free class over at Jessica Sprague. This is my project for today. This is my lovely granddaughter. I had on my zoom lens and caught her at a meditative moment.


BRUSHES- MCO_SprayofRed (recolored), KPertiet_GrungyClusters-5g, FONTS- Texas Hero

187- Dahlias

This spring I planted some Dahlia bulbs. I've been waiting patiently for them to sprout and bloom. I think the cool weather has retarded them a little. I just noticed that my first blossom is out! What a beauty!

I just love this time of year with all the happy little faces in my garden!


FONTS- Problem Secretary, CK Cursive, BRUSH- KPertiet_LedgerFrames, BA_photomask01a, ACTION- (A2D)_Lomo_V2

186- Trusting Friends

I've only seen this kind of thing on the nature channel shows where the bird lights on the back of some animal. I was so excited when I saw it in real life. As you can see, the horse and bird are totally happy with this situation. It makes me wonder how long it took for them to learn to trust one another.


FONTS- Problem Secretary, CK Cursive, BRUSH- KPertiet_LedgerFrames, BA_photomask01a, 500mlthebirds12, ACTION- DP Moms Perfect Workflow

That makes me think of a conversation I had with my daughter-in-law, Megan, that same day. We were talking about how when you move it takes a while to make friendships; how we are cautious and wonder who we can trust before we let them see our *little-scabby-spots* (aka inadequacies, fears, problems, etc) It is so hard when we don't have that support system yet that we all need so badly.

I reflected on that today as I sat in Relief Society and listened to the comments. As each sister spoke I no longer have to turn and see who is speaking, but I recognize her voice and I appreciate her comments with love and acceptance. I knew that if I made a comment they would reciprocate. I could feel that level of comfort in *belonging*; in feeling safe.

185- Fourth of July Traditions

I love traditions! I love how they bind a family together and give extra meaning to special days. Sometimes it feels as if the *day wouldn't be right* without that special tradition.

A Fourth of July tradition that we adopted almost 15 years ago is having carne asada and enjoying the day with family and friends. (Can you say YUMMY?)



This year was small; just Camille and Stuart with a friend each. What a great group of young people!



I've remembered other Fourth of July traditions today as well. As a girl we always attended the Taylorsville parade and rodeo. I LOVED IT! After I got Blue, my horse, I also participated in the events.

The first summer we were in Palmdale someone introduced us to the PHS fireworks display (actually it was sponsored by the City of Palmdale but they used the football stadium at PHS) Since the church was just across the street we took treats, a blanket and chairs and sat on the lawn and watched the display. 1983's display was somewhat pitiful; the finale was only about 10 rockest all set off at the same time. But as the city grew so did the fireworks displays until it became a 30-minute pyrotechnic display that anyone would be proud of! There were years we watched the fireworks sweating and years we needed to bring our coats (yup, that's Palmdale!)

Yes, I cherish traditions, even when all I have are the memories of traditions past.