A Celebration of Spring — When I was a child, my friends and I followed a tradition on the first day of May - May Day - a day for celebrating spring. We’d pick flowers, the early bloomers in our part of the country, crocuses, tulips, daffodils, and violets. We’d make bouquets for our favorite…

April Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Graffiti & Street Art” — A Bright Spot Among City Streets. If you’re new to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the ravens, horses, wolves, salmon, and cranes that come to life on the side of a downtown building, are sure to catch your eye. (The photo above only represents half of the 100-foot by 15-foot mural.) …

Hi Mary! Thank you!

​March Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Pet People” — ​My cat is my dark angel. My cat Gracie is my fourth black cat. All have been strays/rescues. Gracie was a rescue, even though she had a home, my garage. She was born there. You see, her mama was feral, really feral, arched back and hissing feral. …

March Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Pet People” — Best hiking companion I ever had. In the spring of 2009, a skinny, seven-month-old pup got lucky when she was rescued from a kill shelter in Pasco, Washington. Miss Riley went from a possible death sentence to a dog living her best life in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. …

Great blue herons always make my day! — I first became aware of great blue herons when in my twenties, while staying at a motel on the Oregon Coast. Sitting near the slider door of my room after watching the sun disappear into the Pacific, I noticed a movement. Walking along, in what appeared to be stealth mode…

An owner’s snow sculpture of his dog — If you are a dog owner, you know how much you benefit from having your furry family member(s) in your life. Where else can you get unconditional love but from your pup? (I love my cat but I play by her rules.) “It’s just the most amazing thing to love…

Cloud-spotting — it’s not just for kids — When was the last time you took a good look at the sky? (Checking out storm clouds for rain doesn’t count.) I’m talking about like when you were a kid and you noticed a cloud and thought it looked like a dolphin or a dog. The kind of looking that…

It could make you feel better, maybe even a lot better! Do you appreciate sunsets? When you see one, do you take the time to stop and watch the sun go down? If you do, then you know that you feel better afterward. At least that’s been my experience, along with plenty of others. “A sunrise or sunset can be ablaze…