All Things Bright and Lovely: October 2013

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Insta-Ween

Hello to you, wonderful one, and welcome to another sharing of some of my fave photos from the Gram of Insta. Above you see Buddy doing his Patrick Stewart/Captain Piccard impersonation. Doesn't he just look ready to snap off a "make it so, number one"?

As noted in last post, I recently had occasion to travel to the Windy City of Chicago. Here is a second shot I had from downtown.

Of course downtown Indianapolis has many wonders to behold all its own. The first shot was my homage to the first episode of the new season of The Walking Dead and the second, as odd is this may seem, is a concert and theater venue where big musical acts and Broadway plays perform. It is very old and very elegant.

Fashion is always well-featured on my page. The above 3 were ones that especially intrigued me recently. First is that all-American shirt, then those very mod and chic shiny pants and finally the Word Up shirt which made me smile. I haven't heard anyone say Word Up for quite some time so that was a nice touch of nostalgia.

Another regular category is, of course, tights. Just so into both these colors and that bottom pair is such an amazing pattern.

A couple of ultra-random glam shots. The flowers I found in Chicago and the mirror in Pier 1. A very sweet follower commented that the real jewel was the one in the mirror which meant quite a bit to me. I am so often so invisible to people it really touches me when someone actually "sees" me. I know, I am a sap but I am OK with that :)

And now....for the grand finale...animals small and large (OK so they are all small but "animals small and small" seemed a bit lacking) and well as a few more peeks at yours truly.

Buddy selling vitamins

Jingle Gibbs, tiny canine, face licker.

Callie ready for bedtime.

My sword and I. My 25-year companion.

So there you have it. Hope one or some of these made you smile. Very cool of you to drop by, I thank you so much for doing so. Wishing you the best of the rest of your week, happiness and love and a heart full of peace. Always remember I am here if you need me :) Oh, and Buddy says he is also available if needed :x)

We're ready to believe you!

Redwoods (A Poem by Me)

Unknown 9:11 PM 15 Comments

You judge me?
Due to your laziness
And happiness in your ignorance
No attempt to comprehension
Or empathy.

I thank you
For removing me of once presumed burdens
That your feelings
Or you
Should matter.

Your unsupportable attitudes
Have bought me priceless freedom.

Your oblivious, poison adherence
To destructive, repugnant fear
Leave you shallow
And hollow
And so you wallow
In muck and dung
Doing all you can
To trip
Push
Humiliate
Bully
Others to lay down beside you.

Not me, I see your game
I see your secret shame
Your pain.
A pain I would take joy in helping soothe
Help remove
If only you loved truth
And yourself
More than the wretched filth of phantom phobias
You now call home.

The blustery wind you blow
Bends only the weakest of saplings.

My gentle breeze

Shakes the roots of redwoods.

Lake Love Not Shore

Unknown 8:15 PM 13 Comments

Lakeside, with the wind in my face and totally happy :)

Hello and welcome once again to All Things Bright and Lovely. For this post, I am offering a small selection of photos from my recent trip to Lake Michigan, which is about 3 hours north of my home.

Lakeshore Drive in the Windy City

The first stop was Chicago, Illinois, where we attended a concert by the magnificent Josh Groban. This was a present for my ladyfriend's birthday and we both were completely amazed at his talent.

Sorry for the fuzzy picture. More than camera could handle.

We then headed over to northern Indiana to the Dunes National Park and stopped at a few beachy type areas there to enjoy the beauty of the lake.

There were warning signs seen quite frequently. The below one I did not have a clue so I was hoping I was not breaking a rule/endangering my life. A helpful Instagram follower told me it had to do with water quality. The only quality that mattered to me about it was that it was ice cold.

Now that sign I totally understood. Heck, I could have been the model for that sign :)

There was also, as usual on any trip involving moi, a nice assortment of wonderful food.

A Super Treat sandwich from Lindos in Michigan City, Indiana. A chicken patty topped with ham topped with corned beef and then melted swiss cheese. Yum!!!

A Giordano's Chicago-style, stuffed-crust, deep-dish pizza. If there is pizza in Heaven it is this pizza.

Superman ice cream, from Oink's Dairy Bar in New Buffalo, Michigan. So sweet and tasty!

And I had to include the below shot of me in the foamiest hot tub ever. I used it to make beards, hair, etc. and had such a fun time.

Look, I am Steve Martin

There are 2 more sets of photos from this trip, one a shopping montage and the other from our trip to the zoo in Chicago. Coming soon as they say :)

So, for now, I will leave you with the below, made by me just for all of you. Now likely erased by the wonderous winds, but never erased from my heart. Thanks so much for visiting. You are amazing and so appreciated :)

It's the Shops that Makes it Hop

Unknown 10:36 PM 12 Comments

These shots are of the shopping I partook in after hiking in the wonderful woods (see last post here for a colorful tribute to fall.) The above is an assortment of gelato, which is pretty uncommon in my area. Sadly I did not have any but when I go back next month the temptation will probably prove too much :)

Boy, that sure is the truth. Sometimes it is difficult to be kind and when it is, remember you are doing it just as much to keep peace within yourself as to help others.

I have a feeling there might be a few of my sweet readers who would love to get their hands on a shiny skull shirt :)

And none of you are drama queens, right? I cannot imagine it being possible. But this apron could be worn ironically in any case :)

Those penguin boot toppers were impossible not to photograph. Is there anyone who does not like penguins? Such funny little fellows.

Sigmund Fur-eud

A puss purse it the purr-fect pleasing present for the feline fan in your family. (alliteration rocks!)

A couple of gorgeous, bright dresses. Vivid hues soothe me so much. The world needs more color!

Oh, that's just me. Was feeling shy. But what a cool mirror though, right?

Kissy Cats

Those stores are all stocked with so much original, crafty, beautiful pieces it is always fun to spend a few hours rummaging around in them. Will be back next there next month for some Christmas shopping.

Since there have been no actual cats here for a couple of posts now, and I know you are maybe going into cat withdrawl, I leave you with the below shot of California "Callie" Pickles. Hope you weekend has been fantastic. Thank you so much for stopping by and your amazing comments. You guys are shining stars every one :)

All Good in the Woods (100th Post!)

Unknown 8:41 PM 18 Comments

Self esteem challenge--Put my picture 1st. Done :)

Hello and welcome to another edition of All Things Bright and Lovely. Today, for my 100th post, I celebrate my favorite time of year: Fall!

My ladyfriend and I took a trip this morning to a beautiful state park for a bit of hiking and nature enjoyment. As you can see, the trees are at the in-between stage of green and multi-colored. But boy are those colors vivid.

Ooh, I should have put this picture first. No, no...must stick to self-esteem challenge.

The park is very large and filled with rolling hills, lakes and thousands of trees.

The lake we hiked around was called Lake Ogle which I thought was particularly funny. Nothing funny about those spectacular hues, however.

I have no clue what the above actually is, but it was such a pretty green and looked like shag carpeting I had to take a picture.

1st pic I did not think would look better than me as 1st picture. Sigh!

A reminder to make sure your roots are planted deep or you might fall.

There was quite a bit of stair climbing along the trail as the terrain is wonderfully uneven.

A couple of closer shots of the lovely leaves.

Stupid self-esteem challenge! Oh well.

And a couple more from far away.

And this is the way in and out of the park, a very ancient covered bridge.

After the park we then went to the little town near the park full of artisans, craft shops, unique jewelry and clothing etc. Many shots of that as well but for another time as this is purely a celebration of the beauty of Autumn.

I really appreciate you stopping by and special thanks to all who left such nice words on my poem from the last post.

For all of you, readers, commenters, friends, artists, poets, geniuses...for all those who have made these first 100 posts so wonderful for me, this is for you :)