What a week and it isn't over. A trip to Seattle and back from the east coast was on the schedule this week, left Monday, returned today, two days later. Resting in front of my computer from many hours on a plane, I was glancing through my Picasa library of photos and this one struck me as "yes", it is nice to have someone waiting with open arms after a long trip. 

 There was something about the brilliant colors of this fellow as he came struting by all cock sure of himself. I was in the Conemara area of Ireland, beautiful country. The background was green with a overcast sky. The red of the roots head was striking against the grey in the sky.  

I came upon this gentleman in a small coastal village in Ireland. He was entertaining strangers making bubbles..I enjoyed his lighthearted spirit and the attention he was getting from strangers.

She captured my attention...real or a statue? I'll leave that for your imagination.

I like colorful doors. When I visit a new place, it's one of the first things that will create a memory. I came upon these doors in Ireland recently. Strolling down the street in the village of Kinsale, boom, there they were. The sun was bright, the colors striking.
Now the interesting this is they provide entrace to two seperate homes. Thus, implied, is a coordination among the owners, color selection etc. Wouldn't it be interesting to knock and meet those that selected the colors and hear the story of how this came to be.

 What's the name of the old song about "the doggy in the window?" I should remember it. This little fellow was just watching the world go by from the warmth of his house, the wind was really blowing outside at the time. He knew better than to be out, with us.
 

 I recently returned from a vacation in Ireland, my first visit there. You might have suspected that from the picture and a brief comment down below. Although it was tiring, we returned Aug. 10 when Scotland Yard made the arrests in London and the whole UK airport system was in turmoil, my reflections on the trip over the past few days recall the beautiful landscapes around the coast and the friendly people.
There was also a light hearted nature to the Irish people reflected in many I met. This photo, taken in a small village on the Dingle penninsula, reminds me of that nature. Strolling along the street, I came up this brightly colored pair of boots, put to good use as a planter, of sorts.
The western coastline was phenominal, to be experienced and the Connemara area is difficult to describe in words. Enjoy. 

 Messages from the heavens 

 The Dingle penninsula on the west coast of Ireland..more photos to come. 

 Remember when life was pretty simple and surprises came in small packages. 

 Driving into the distance. 

 The expansiveness of Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. Crossing the Mile High swinging bridge, the hike seems simple, then the turn to see where you've come from brings into focus the heighth, distance and expansive view. 

 The layers of terrain bring out the shadows and colors late in the evening in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  

  

 An early 4th of July fireworks display...happy 4th. 

 It's hot, the humidity is up, rain's been pouring, but there are cool places, by a lake in the mountains. Ahh. 

 This scene has always attracted me because of the sharpness of the colors, the framing of the trees. I can imagine sitting on the front porch in the early morning, a fresh cup of coffee and listening to the soft sounds of the morning. 

Quiet morning, Natchitoches, LA

Flying into Alexandria, LA today, I was reminded of how small towns in the U.S. provide the backbone to the U.S. Military. Of the 40 or so passenger, one lone soldier in desert fatigues waited for the flight in Atlanta. Walking from the plane to the small terminal in Alexandria I noticed his 101st Airborne patch and asked if that was his unit. "No," he said "I provide support to them." Where have you been, was my next question.
"Iraq", he said as we entered the small terminal, then there in his arms was his wife and children and the joy of his being home, safe, was all around. Over the past year I've seen soldiers traveling across the U.S. One one flight to Seattle from the east, I waited at the terminal window and watched as a casket was taken from the plane, with an escort and the plane Captain standing at attention as the casket came off the plane.
Too easily we forget what sacrifice it takes to serve in our military. Too easily our politicians forget what they ask of our soldiers when they send them off to war for soon, muddled reasons.

A quiet, small village in the south of France. She had the command of the middle of the street and the attention of others as she passed. I don't know her name, I'm not even sure I caught her eye but she caught mine. I happened past the street, glancing down, it was the first afternoon after arriving in the south of France. I glanced to the right crossing an intersection and there she was, quietly walking my way. I noticed men's heads would turn as she walked past. I suspect she knew this, it wasn't new to her.