Jellies Beware

Just Peachy!

Bro Ronnie uses a certain expression constantly. In response to my queries of "How's everything going,

Ron?" he'll often respond, "Just peachy!" Now, the image of juicy, ripe peaches would normally connote a positive; agreed? Just look at this sunny display we came across during our travels. North Carolina fruit is now perfuming our beach-house kitchen. 

Who could resist?!

In Ronnie's case, the phrase is often used with sarcasm, indicating one crisis or another... sort of the tone Joe adopted just minutes after setting foot on the sand, yesterday.

With my camera in hand, he almost went down, emitting a rather high-pitched shriek, as his leg crumbled. We've determined the nasty bite, shooting pains and resulting limp to be the fault of a jellyfish. Miraculously, neither of us has been bitten before. However, we're now quite educated about (link) nematocysts. Had anyone asked Joe, "How's it goin'? at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday, his response might have been, "Just peachy!" NOT! Thank Goodness the camera survived a potential dunking in the sand.

Now, there is another related anecdote here. Joe, like my Dad, detests being barefoot... anywhere. He actually dons sneakers to cross carpeting, no matter the minimal distance he must travel. His sixty-something feet are pristine... pink and soft, like a baby's bottom. I'm always mentioning that G-d intended feet to be tools, pointing out my own rough-'n'-ready appendages that know Barefoot Heaven well. My Gran began suggesting about forty years ago, "Honey, you have to put something on your feet, or you'll end up with arthritis, when you're my age." 

Back to Joe: yesterday's was a rare barefoot venture across sand. Ah, woe is me; today, he'll have those dorky sneakers back on his tender feet, regardless of nature's gift.

Postscript: It's Sunday, and My Hero is much better... thought he's milking it for sympathy. ♡

Familiar Surf & Turf

Dwarfed By Dunes

Let Freedom Ring

Peli Skybirds

Changing Venues

Thrilled To The Gills To Salute The Sea♥

What a way to start a day! This morning, we were treated to an amazing concert by our Sugar and her classmates; their music teacher is to be commended beyond words! Wasn't it just yesterday that we were taking pictures of our babies on the same school stage? Joe and I remain overwhelmed by the production of "Salute To The Sea"... and, we are so proud for our girl, as she was selected to play recorder and sing with a special mini-choir, in addition to her role with the entire group. Just can't stand still when the music is playin'!

(Please start the video by clicking on the arrow.)

♡

Tonight... idoLEE... Hallelujah!

It has been an absolute joy to watch this lovely man-child find the confidence that brought him to the point of tonight's brilliant delivery  of one of my all-time favorite songs, Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah". Major kudos to Simon for choosing so perfectly, knowing Lee would do it justice. We believe that he is tonight's clear winner. Those glistening eyes are truly windows to the soul.

On to next week's finals. 

Who shall be the next AMERICAN IDOL?

Real Time - Rainy Day Song

Just a short while ago, I heard Big Kahuna, before I actually saw him. It's pouring outside; so, I took this shot from inside. It pays to keep the windows sparkly!

Please left double-click to enlarge.

Today - Rhododendron & Dianthus

Up Close And Personal

Postscript To 'Wheels'

Eagle watching took place along somewhat of a main road. As is usually the case, motorists slowed their vehicles upon sighting several people congregated - there was a lot of pointing and gawking involved. One young guy asked what we were watching. He was adequately mesmerized before mentioning that the birds must return to this nest yearly. Charlie confirmed that skybirds do indeed use the same nest every spring. They repair and clean the complex structure. They live to be very old, continuing this behavior for years. 

Back to our young fellow, who then recalled that during a house move in 2006, his Dad remembered the nest and wanted to check it out. He sloughed off the suggestion and now regrets having done so. It was to be the last day they spent together.

Carpe Diem.

"Whew! My Human Sure Can Talk!"

Watching The Wheels - Part III

Joe can't deal with my begging and pleading (I'm such a spoiled brat); so, he con-

sented to swinging by Rondout again, for another peek at the skybirds. On the way over, as the wheels of the car were spinning 'round and 'round, so were the wheels of my mind. I was mentally beginning to sort photos and write a mini novella. Upon our return, Charlie and his big lens were still stationed opposite the nest; did I mention that I'm suffering from lens envy?

He excitedly told us that in our absence, Papa had gone hunting twice. He first returned with a large fish; then with a muskrat. Soooo, it was no surprise that vultures were rampant in the sky and encircling the nest. We guessed their goal to be theft of food. The babies seemed too large to have been threatened. The scene upon our arrival was otherwise similar to the earlier one, with Papa perched on a high branch, overseeing the kids... until, that is, Joe exclaimed, "He's flying; he's flying!" Yes indeed; Papa was in flight... and what a photo-worthy show he gave us. Snap, snap, snap. He soared over our heads, circled around the nest several times, and then went high into the sky. Snap, snap, snap. Finally, he descended, dropping his legs and huge claws and curling in his big, beautiful wings; he came in for a landing, smack dab in the nesting tree. Snap. Charlie assured us that we had just witnessed one of the best air shows of the season. Satiated, we finally headed for home - two hundred pictures on my media card and an exhausted Mambo, sleeping in the back of the SUV. Hey, all that bird-watching is work for a laid back pooch!

We rode in awestruck silence for a while, before Joe turned on Sirius radio. First up? So very appropriately, it was John Lennon's "Watching The Wheels". I had not heard this fave in many years. I knew a blog title had been gifted me. Of course, the obvious would have been "Be" or "Skybird" from Neil's JLS. However, the soundtrack of our lives is comprised of so many beautiful moments in time that seem to be goin' round and round in synch with an equal number of gorgeous lyrics. Please have a listen to Wheels, embedded below.

Watching The Wheels - Part II

After leaving the eagles behind, we were again clueless as to a destination. Actually, we got a little lost on a winding country road. We stopped at an intersection, apparently with confused looks on our faces. Policemen-from-nowhere pulled up alongside of us and asked, "Are you lost?" I cracked up, answering, "Is it that obvious?" With a little help, we chose our direction and headed towards a little town named Phoenicia. Honestly, we are still so amazed by what nestles in between our mountains and waterways.

This charming place was hoppin'! Lots of bikers had parked their Harleys, to then enjoy lunch alfresco. Mambo traveled with us, garnering lots of attention; even the macho, leather-clad hombres melted in his presence.

There was a wedding in progress in the little Catholic church at the northern end of town; oh my, what a perfect place to initiate vows. A beautiful brook serves as gatekeeper to the southern end. In between are lots of Mom 'n' Pop establishments, their owners anxious to share a little slice of local Heaven. We spent quite a bit of time luxuriating in the space called Phoenicia.

Leaving there, we headed through an old familiar and favorite spot called Frost Valley. Gorgeous to behold in snow, it is equally appealing decked out in green.... especially when the resident horses are all grazing in the luxurious field, encircled by breathtaking scenery. The Forstmann Castle, in all its intrigue, looms graciously over all. To note here: Mambo is so calm; even a field full of horses doesn't phase him. His only desire in life is to be next to us. It's not tough to understand why he travels all over with us.

Just beyond Frost Valley and nearly to Claryville lies the most gorgeous natural waterfall. It is frozen solid in the wintertime; but its rushing noise and mossy pool are somethin' else, in springtime. The sun was beginning to set, lighting it from way above at the top of the mountain. "Surreal," thought I, as I snapped away.

Okay, now it's down to business - time to head home. But wait! "Joe, Joe, puh-lease swing by the eagles... puh-lease!" Continued in Part III

Watching The Wheels - Part I

We're gearing up for some serious R & R, by way of an OBX vacation. Nonetheless, Joe declared yesterday to be a holiday, and we went exploring. Drive-and-discover adventures have been a part of our repertoire since our dating days, way back when we were teenagers; it seems like just yesterday. My Guy picked a winner of a day, as the weather could not have been more perfect - a dry 62 degrees, with brilliant sunshine, blue skies and fluffy, white cumulus clouds. Squisito.

There is never a clear-cut plan for such excursions in our gorgeous neck of the woods. We traveled "over the mountain" in a direction that we are more familiar with in the wintertime. It's towards the higher Catskills and home to our big-gun ski areas, such as Hunter, Belleayre, Windham and the former High Mount. The Rondout Reservoir caught our attention for its springtime beauty; it became our first stop for photos. We noticed a lot of pointing, oohing and aahing..... AN EAGLE'S NEST, with residents! In keeping with tradition, I began a conversation with an obvious bird-watching fanatic (that's a compliment, Charlie, if you're reading!). Charlie happily educated us about the nest, the two babies, the parents and the habits of the big birds. Seems that Papa was on guard, as Mama had been banded by conversationists, making her more easily identifiable. Oh, and did you know that both genders of bald eagle have the same magnificent coloring, starting at the age of four or five years. The babies stay dark and camouflaged till that age. Mama is the larger of the two. There must have been something prophetic in the HornbyIslandLink I became hooked on, not too long ago. You see, yesterday was the very first time I've witnessed eagles in the wild. I was beyond excited. Just ask Joe.

After about an hour, things were pretty quiet in the tree; so, we left our new friend behind with his 500mm fixed lens, entrusting him to capture "the interesting". He gave us his business card; and we didn't expect to see him again. Ah, but one never knows where intrigue shall lead... please read on in Part II.