Looking out my window...

Linden Tree Fall Leaves In Wind - For Janice

 
Video by Sharon

Watching this video it would be hard to know that about two years ago I captured, edited, titled etc. videos for over 40 hours a week. I was a volunteer at our local government cable access television. I did use a new program to creat this video, but my memory loss (thanks to Fibromyalgia) caused this little 37 second bit of whimsy to take longer than I care to share. It's a little shakey due to lack of tripod.

But, isn't it pretty? I wanted to do this for my friend Janice Renee, who lives out where there are no Falls. She misses the season and the colors that escape as the sun's rays stretch to reach us.

I took that back in October. And I took this picture of our Prairie Fire Crabapple Tree just the other day. When the crackles came for their fall feasting on the red "apples."

 
Prairie Crabapple Tree Fall 2010.
Photo by Sharon.

 
Crackles Feeding On Crabapples 2010.
Photo by Sharon.

I wasn't able to get all of the birds that were actually here. My slightest move sent them off in a black cloud. I'll try again next year.

Weather Alert: Tornado! Run Dorothy!

 
Clouds on A Stormy Fall Day 2010.
Photo by Sharon.

This morning I awoke to  weather alerts announcing the potential for tornadoes. A Tornado Watch had been issued. Which means, the weather is just right to produce tornadoes. And, according to the weather map, the alert was for all across the midwest.

Granted, this is much better than a Tornado Warning. Which means one has been sighted in your area and you had better duck and cover (I don't have a basement). But, for me, the "Watch" means WATCH! The high winds of 70 mph had already toppled, in some areas, trees and old structures. When I announced the alerts to the Chief, he was his normal blase self.

I was going to be alone while he did some errands. I decided (ah, we do have choices) to look at the wonderful storm clouds rather than worry about the tornadoes. It was a good choice. By the time I finished taking the pictures below, the alert was over.

 
 
I love these photographs. And, I am constantly amazed at the photos on my blog because they are ALL taken through my windows.

Neat, huh?

Fall, Fallen, Fell and Truth Or Dare

 
 
Robins In Fall On Their Way Home 2010.
Photos By Sharon.

 
Gussie's Tree In Fall Losing Leaves 2010.
Photo By Sharon.

As Seasons roll by, I've noticed that this year, this year Fall seems very short. The leaves are leaving. The Robins are on their way back to the South. The Canadian Geese are returning from the North. The cycle is recycling. (No, I refuse to say that thing they say in "The Lion King.")

And, now for something completely different.

There is a web sight I recommend to all: www.snopes.com . This sight verifies whether some bit of something is truth or urban legend. I find it very helpful when I get "chain" emails. I would never pass along one without first checking with snopes.

And, when I receive one I do take the time to check it out. If it turns out to be not true I generally forward snopes' information to all who either sent and/or received it.

It's especially helpful during election times, when mud is slung with a vengeance.

I got one today. Photographs of a pretty snazzy new prison. Said to be the new Cook County Jail in Chicago. And, of course, paid for by Senator Obama with his vote. That poor man... everything is his fault.

After looking this up via snopes I found the following:

 

 
Function:  Court Building, Penitentiary.
Location: Leoben, Austria.

Someone, please tell me how our current president is responsible for this building!

More Bathing Birdies In The Bathtub!

 

The above and the following are more photos of my baby birds.  This day had the largest number of them I have seen to date. I hope they don't bore you. If so, gently ignore them.

By the way, some of the water spray you will see is the result of two of the birds yelling at each other and splashing about.

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I must say they had the best time in the water. It was like watching your toddlers at the beach. So many. This time they were not limited to the bathtub* but as you can see there was a waiting line on the fence. And the feeders were full. I think I counted about 18 birds altogether. It was a grand time.

*I'm referring to the birdbath as a bathtub today. At first it was a slip of the tongue while talking to the Chief. But, then I became found of the idea.

This morning I woke up earlier than usual.  With my fibromyalgia sleeping patterns vary. Sometimes I stay up until it's time to get up. And other times I get up after only four hours of sleep. So, glad I'm retired. Because what time I go to bed or get up doesn't matter. When I was working and had insomnia I would get all twitchy with worry. Now I don't. I'm so happy that most of my illnesses waited to flare until after my retirement. Flare.... that's a nice word for "it hurts more."

Any way, I was up earlier than usual and saw the trees in a nice bright morning light.

 
Linden Tree in Morning Light.
Photo by Sharon.

 
Gussie's Tree In Morning Light.
Photo by Sharon.

Some of the trees I can see have already lost their leaves, so I shall concentrate on the remaining colors while they last.

The bare branches will have their turn at beauty when it snows or rains ice.

Falling Colors Fall's Delight

 
Gussie's Tree Fall of 2010.
Photo By Sharon. 

 
Fall Geraniums With Prairie Grass 2010.
Photo By Sharon.

 
Fall Geraniums in Patio Pot 2010.
Photo By Sharon

 
Linden Tree Fall 2010.
Photo By Sharon.

 
Linden Tree Fall One Day Later 2010.
Photo By Sharon. 
 
 
Tree Across The Road Fall 2010.
Photo By Sharon.

The memories of Fall are of color, scent and sound. Varying shades of red, orange, yellow and brown. Wisping trails of smoke signals from down the road. Crunching foot steps through the piles.

Hold Your Partner's Hand, Keep Your Name Tags On, And Follow Me

 
Crab Apples In Fall 2010            Photo by Sharon 

 

Validations. They come at the best times don't they?

I've worked most of my life. As a single mother for quite awhile, my life consisted of work and taking care of my daughter. At one point I worked my way up to a Department Manager in our local hospital. I supervised, hired, fired, did budgets, wrote proposals, became accredited in the field. I hated it. I did it very well for about 16 years. But, I hated it and the stress from that hate wore my health down.

After several layoffs at different places I wanted to retire early due to my health...and with the real opportunity of being able to do so, I did (thank you Chief).

My mom told me later she thought I would be unhappy when I retired, losing the validations I received through my job.

But, guess what? I found I could do other things that I never had the time for before. As a volunteer, I learned how to edit videos for broadcasting on our local community television station. It was the first time my "creative" side was demonstrated to the outside world. And I received many good validations for my effort.

My health deteriorated further the last year or so. The editing I loved to do, and did about 40 hours each week, ceased. I became somewhat limited in my physical abilities. Always loving the computer, I decided to try my hand at blogging about 11 months ago.

Recently my mom said to me "Sharon, I didn't know you could write!" Well, I didn't know either. I keep plugging away. Some readers and friends have told me I have a "gift." Sometimes I write about memories, sometimes about current events. Mostly, I write about looking out my window.

And, it's just amazing how much I see from my window. Everyday is like a field trip in my office chair. Right this very moment I am watching the Canadian Geese migrate from one window pane to another.

My hope is I can give a giggle or a warm snuggle to a reader... to someone who needs just that, just then. And ultimately, perhaps, the feeling that they are on a field trip, too.

Join me, take my hand. 

Where's The Bathroom?

Usually when I approach my blog I have an idea of where I want to start and where I want to end.

Today, well, today is off the cuff, so to speak.

For about a year now, I've mostly stayed inside whenever possible. This is due to more than one reason. I must admit I do like looking out my windows while being at my computer...hence the name of my blog.

As you may remember, it was about a year ago that I had my "big fall" which resulted in 20 stitches in my scalp, 7 on my wrist, a concussion and 2 fractured ribs. That took many months of recovery.

Then, it seems, the trauma of that injury resulted in developing Fibromyalgia. The medicine I took for that melted my brain.

So, right now I'm taking a RX break for the "Fibro" until I can do without my brain again. So far it's a question of "Brain" or "Pain."

The Chief is having his own medical problems. To which he is being very brave for me.

My mother use to live in Arizona at a place called Arcosanti. The space she lived in was very small: small kitchen, bathroom, and a combo living/sleeping area. But nothing compared to the video below! I think this Hong Kong apartment is about the size of our office. So, when you're really ready to downsize watch the video at the link below!

http://planetgreen.discovery.com/videos/worlds-greenest-homes-hong-kong-space-saver.html

As the Chief is all too aware, one of my first questions about a "new" place is: Where's the bathroom?" As it is with the above Hong Kong Room. Bob didn't know the answer. So, here's what I found:

Hong Kong combination shower and bathroom

This looks pretty much like the "private" bathrooms on Amtrak. Except Amtrak's sink is outside of the toilet/shower. I would suspect that the Hong Kong bath doesn't normally shake you from one wall to the other. That's a plus.

Flowers, Fall, and Pain

 

 

 
 
The two pictures on top are of our patio this summer. I wish it would look like that all year!

The third picture is of my neighbor's tree across the street. It's quite lovely with both dark clouds and sunshine.

The fourth photo is our glamorous golden Linden tree.

.............. 

Have you ever had a pain pill that gets rid of all the pain? No, morphine is not included in this discussion. I've certainly had  pain pills in my life. Not many worked the way I would have liked. Is there a reason for that? Is something written somewhere on a rock that pain shall always exist as least minimally? Something that says the pill will take some pain away, but not all...or, if you really beg, it will make you sleep your life away.(I apologize to burn victims, etc who truly, truly know pain on a completely different level than this world.)

There are those who have never endured chronic pain. They have no idea what I'm talking about.

I can't think of anything I've taken that takes the pain totally away without putting me to sleep and therefore not knowing that I suffer. I think this is known in the medical world as the Michael Jackson Effect

Vicodin. I can understand why Vicodin is so popular on the street. It doesn't take all the pain away. But you don't care.

How The Wind Blows

I've been looking out my window today. The wind blows in puffs. The golden leaves on our corner tree shiver. Then fall.

Since I''m on the computer I don't see everything the tree is doing. But sometimes in a glance I see a leaf or two floating. Yes, in this case "floating" is the word.

DREARY GRAY DAY

  
Today is certainly titled correctly above. Depressing almost as it reminds me of the worst days of winter. There hasn't been any noticeable wind either. And it is alway windy here. Creepy.

So, inside I stay, safe and warm, looking out my window. Some people have put out their autumn decorations - pumpkins and straw. I enjoy looking at it, but not enough to drape our condo in the season flare.

The birds have mostly stayed in their nests in their trees. If I were able to see them I bet they'd be all fluffed out like a baby chick keeping safe and warm. I think I was always fluffed out until about 4 years old, or however old I was before I was scooped up and taken to a hospital. I was with polio. That was back in the day when the Public Health Department would put up big "QUARANTINED" sign on apartment doors requiring that sort of posted notice. My health has been pretty much down hill since.

When I was little and we still lived with my father's mom and dad, I loved halloween. Didn't trick or treat much, but we stayed busy in the kitchen putting together homemade treats to hand out. We did carmel apples with nuts, cinnamon red clear hard sugar apples, and of course pop corn balls. We had lots of kids come by, but there were always left overs for me...I'm thinking now, not by chance.