Unexpected Nature In My Neighborhood

 

February 23, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

     As I returned from grocery shopping at 7:30 this morning, I turned into my neighborhood and had to stop for three beautiful peacocks, all different, as they slowly strolled across the street and into someone's yard.   There they busied themselves with their ground feeding, seeming to appear totally at ease and happy to be taking their stroll. 

 

     These are not my photos, as I didn't have my camera.  One was totally white, full-grown, with a beautiful plume of feathers on its head and long, flowing tail feathers.  One was the beautiful royal/turquoise blue with flowing feathers and head plume.  The last was a younger, plainly colored peacock, but it already had its greenish-blue neck, its head plume of feathers, and the beginnings of long tail feathers. 

 

     The three photos I found on Google represent what I saw  in my downtown Orlando neighborhood.   It was difficult to  drive away from this beautiful family scene.  

 

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests, especially my "For The Birds" board.

 



Watch Eagles Raise Their Young February 22, 2013

Watch Eagles Raise Their Young

 

February 22, 2013

 

 

 

Above are Honor and Hope, 8 weeks old now, almost as big as their parent.

 

 

 

Click this link to watch the eagles 24/7 on the live cam on ustream.

 

 

Click this link to watch video of eaglets exercising their huge wings on Feb. 21, 2013.

 

Photo credits:  Greg M. Hill and Barbara Sands

 

 

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Sunrise, Sunset---I don't Remember Growing Older February 21, 2013

Sunrise, Sunset

I Don't Remember Growing Older

 

February 21, 2013

 

 

 

     My oldest granddaughter sent me photos of her in her gown for a competition at her high school.  She asked me to buy an ad in the program for the competition and to send a photo for the ad.  I found a photo of us together when she was about two years old at Christmas. 

 

      Then I looked at both photos and was immediately reminded of the song, "Sunrise, Sunset," from "Fiddler On The Roof."  When did she get to be a beauty? 

 

      Here are the lyrics that came to mind:

 

Is this the little girl I carried?
Is this the little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older
When - did - they?
When did she get to be a beauty?
When did he grow to be so tall?
Wasn't it yesterday when they - were - small?
Sunrise, sunset, Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly flow the days
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers
Blossoming even as we gaze
Sunrise, sunset, Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears

 

 

      I am also reminded of that famous American soap opera, "Days of Our Lives" saying, "Like sands through an hour glass, so are the days of our lives."   My sands are trickling pretty fast now, so I hope I can appreciate and treasure the moments of each and every day.

 

      Here is the original video of that song from "Fiddler on the Roof":  (Get your handkerchiefs or tissues ready; it will make you reflect on your own life, I'm sure.)

 



Click here to watch "Sunrise, Sunset" from the movie, "Fiddler on the Roof."

 

 

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests. Do you remember "Absolutely Fabulous? That is my latest board featuring the very funny British Comedy show videos.

 

 

 

Mardi Gras Is February 12! Boo-Yah, Everyone! February 3, 2013

Mardi Gras Is Feb. 12--Boo-Yah, Everyone!

 

 

February 3, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

(Let the good times roll!)

 

 

Click here to hear the traditional Indian song "Iko Iko" and see their elaborate Mardi Gras costumes.

 

Click here to watch a video on Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

 

      I really miss living near New Orleans and all the festivities of the Mardi Gras season.  Happy Mardi Gras, everyone!

 

 

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests. There is even a "Let The Good Times Roll" board!

 



You Probably Already Knew This, But I Didn't February 2, 2013

You Probably Already Knew This,

But I Didn't

February 2, 2013

Genta, this post is for you today. Genta、この投稿をします。

 

私はインターネット翻訳者が見つかりませんでした。 では、私の書いた文章に指定した1sのすべてに感謝します。 私はあなたのコメントに変換することができます。 素晴らしい日があります。 それは非常に風邪になりましたか? 私は先生と思います。 どのようなことをするのですか?

 

      On Google+, you can interact with people from all over the world, with short comments or by just adding a +1 to their photos, art, blog posts, etc.  It's all public.  But wait, there's more.

 

     One of the people who kindly gives my posts a +1 is a person named Genta.  All of his comments are in Japanese, as it turns out, so I don't know what he is saying to me.

 

      I had a memory of a student using a translator, internet translator, to change English words to French, years ago.  So I searched for one this morning.  Success!  How easy. 

 

       Who knew I could correspond in Japanese, or any other language? Well, everyone knew, but I had forgotten this service was available on the internet! Here is a link to one language translator:

Click this link to get the language translator site. It is one of many available.

 

     What I wrote in Japanese at the top of this post is this:

I found an internet translator. Thank you so much for all of the +1s you have given to my writings. I can translate your comments now. Have a wonderful day. Is it very cold there now? I am a teacher. What work do you do?

 

       Genta, this post is for you today.  Genta、この投稿をします。 

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests.

 

  

 

 

 

     

 



Becoming An English Trainer in China--For Disney February 1, 2013

Becoming An English Trainer In China--For Disney!

February 1, 2013

 

 

     Just as I was planning a quiet, happy new life in a condo near Disney World, I received this notice from Disney.  They are looking for English trainers in China, of all things. 

 

     Suddenly, my idea of retirement had a new spark.  Here are a few details from the email:

 

 

     So, my imagination took flight ,and I believe I will look into the details of applying as a "Foreign Trainer."  The job description mentions a contract for 12 to 18 months, and you would be using the Disney curriculum to accomplish their goals in teaching English to the young.

 

     What an opportunity to live in China and continue my teaching career AND work for Disney!

 

     Adding to my list of retirement activities as number 17, teaching English in China, I feel energized and excited today.   Happy Friday and happy weekend, everyone.

 

Click here to see my pinterest interests.