Weekly Winners — Walk in the Park Edition

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New Year’s Day 2011 dawned foggy and overcast but warm, which was a nice change from the bitter cold and icy conditions of the previous week. Between the bitter cold and the snow I hadn’t been out for a walk in a few days so we hopped in the car and headed out to the park for an afternoon walk and some picture taking.

In the end we actually visited two parks yesterday. There’s a small park right down the road from our house that has a pretty pond and a cool little bridge to walk over. The pond was frozen over and I wanted to see what kind of photos I could get. When I was out taking these pics I wasn’t sure any would be good enough but once I got home and saw them on the computer I was actually kind of happy with them. I made some of them black and white, which in the end I actually kind of liked but ended up cutting from this post. You can see them over on my Flickr Photostream.

After our brief stop at Veteran’s Park we made our way over to Washington Lake Park for our actual walk. This time we tried another walking trail, which led us to a beautiful pond with swans and ducks floating around in it. It was magical. We were there at sunset on this overcast day. The colors were so soft and ethereal and the silence was breathtaking. It was just us and the ducks and swans. It was amazing just to happen up this beautiful space that we didn’t even know was there. I didn’t get very good photos of the ducks or the swans. Next time we go I’ll bring my telephoto lens. I did however get a few nice shots of the pond.

Veteran’s Park

Washington Lake Park

365 Days of Carol Anne (Learning to Love Myself)

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Hola! Welcome to 2011 my dear lil readers. I hope everyone had a beautiful New Year’s Eve. I did. Me and the hubs and our two kitties spent a quiet night at home together. We greeted the new year with a kiss, a good cry, gratitude and phone calls to mom and Tommy and Arlene. We were on our feet and outside* a little after midnight.

*points above* That’s me up there.

Please bear with me as I meander and ramble my way through today’s post. Last night I found a program called Photo Booth on my laptop. It allows you to take pictures of yourself right at your computer. I took a picture and was like OMG! Look at me. (and not in a good way) I’ve never felt that I’m attractive and now I’m bald. Holy hell I’m a hot mess. I’ve often jokingly described myself as the short girl with the big giant noggin and teeny tiny feet. I suppose the big belly and wide hips keep me from tipping over. I’m kidding, sort of. I look at myself and see my imperfections.

My friend Angel has declared this the year of learning to take care of herself and by taking care of herself she means not only fitness and such but also nurturing her creative side. She’s going to read more, take more walks, play in her beautiful garden along with eating better and taking vitamins. I’ve decided to take a page out of her book. I’m going to learn to love myself. I’m going to see the beauty inside me as well as around me. I’m going to learn to look at pictures of myself and not cringe. I’m going to buy a beautiful wig (perhaps even a red one) and pretty scarfs and I’m going to look in the mirror and remind myself that audacious is good, smart and opinionated is good, I’m going to find the voice I once had and holler. I’m going to be brave and I’m going to face radiation treatments head on. I’m gonna get through 2011 and be better for it. I’m bound and determined and I’ll fake the rest if I have to. *laughs*

As part of my new outlook I’m going to take a picture each day**, which hopefully will motivate me to get out of my jammies and make myself presentable everyday; not just on doctor appointment days. Today’s picture was taken right after I got home from a lovely walk in the park (picture post to follow) and a quick trip to Barnes & Noble to buy Godiva chocolates for my Aunt Gloria.

*My own superstition. When I was in 8th grade I fell and sprained my ankle on Dec. 27. At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve mom had me stand on my own two feet so as to not greet the year on crutches. The outside part is my own thing. I think it started after we got married and moved here. I don’t remember.

**Don’t worry. My ugly mug won’t be the only content you see here during 2011. Fear not I’ll still be my ranting and raving self.

Obama Commends Lurie for Signing Vick, Loses My Vote

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There’s a lot President Obama has done that I agree with. There’s also quite a few things I disagree with, but this one takes the cake. I just read a story on Yahoo.com that President Obama called Jeffrey Lurie to congratulate him for signing Mike Vick. The president just managed to lose all the good will I had for him with one phone call. I was so proud of him for putting the working people’s well being ahead of political gain. I really do think he has terrible advisers and apparently awful instincts. As an animal lover I’m honestly not sure I can vote for him in 2012.

I’m pretty sure this tops my displeasure with how the White House handled the Shirley Sherrod situation or the government’s handling (or not handling) of the BP oil spill. Really. I’m speechless. I’ve got nothing. The country is going to hell in a handbasket and the president has time to call Jeffrey Lurie to congratulate him for signing a dog killer. I’m appalled and disappointed. I’m infuriated. The article surmises that by endorsing Vick President Obama wraps up the votes of PA Eagles fans in the 2012 election. If he truthfully is using his endorsement of a dog killer as a political move he really does need to fire his advisers and West Wing staff because for all the PA Eagles fans there are tens of thousands more animal lovers throughout the country who are going to be quite unhappy with this ridiculous decision.

Now wait. Before you crucify me for hating on Vick and before you tell me that he served his time and ask who am I to deny him a second chance. I do think he deserves a second chance. but I do not believe he’s due he luxury and glory of being in the NFL. Oh and before you start telling me about Ben Rothlisberger or any of the other scumbags currently playing in the NFL, I say two things, 1. Two wrongs don’t make a right and 2. They don’t deserve to play in the NFL either.

C’mon let’s all be adults here. Let’s all be honest with each other. Jeffrey Lurie did not sign Mike Vick to the Eagles as a noble endeavor. You all know that as well as I do. If Vick were some second string hack Lurie would not have plucked him from a life of obscurity to be quarterback for his NFL team. Vick would still be working construction were he not a good athlete who could be gotten on the cheap. Lurie’s no more a saint that Vick is reformed.

It honestly makes me sick to my stomach that this vile human being made a few touch downs and is suddenly revered. Well I can’t change your mind nor that of the press or the die hard Eagles fans or apparently even Barrack Obama. I can however decide not to buy any Eagles merchandise or tickets. I can also decide never to patronize the car dealership he does commercials for and I can decide that a commander in chief who feels Jeffrey Lurie is worthy of commendation for signing a dog killer is not worthy of my vote.

Weekly Winners — December 18-25

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Hi! Remember me? Yeah, it’s been an awfully long time since I’ve participated in Weekly Winners. I was a little lost and aimless this year in regards to creativity then I got sick. I’ve been writing and taking photos as part of my recovery and so I present to you my first Weekly Winners in quite some time.

Love,

~ Carol Anne