Windows and Reflections at Wimbledon ...

Scroll down for Camera Critters, Pet Pride,
and Shadow Shot Sunday

Window Reflections
captured with my camera
from ESPN


Straight out of the camera ...

Posterized

Palette Knife

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participating in Window Views, Weekend Reflections,
Mellow Yellow, Blue Monday, and Mosaic Monday

While others are captivated by World Cup soccer,
I'm watching TENNIS on ESPN2 & ESPNU.

I've shared some thoughts about 2010 Tennis at the All England Club previously at Small Reflections in Wednesday Wonders at Wimbledon and at Happily Retired Gal in Friday's FAVE Five and more. Thus far, play has been entertaining with considerably more 'drama' in the men's draw than in the women's, but not as many upsets as in years past. Amazingly, there have been NO rain delays. Because the courts are dry, play is fast and that's good news for Andy Roddick.

There have been at least 25 five-set matches ... with at least 8 'comebacks' from 2 sets down making for some exciting matches. David Ferrer managed to come through in the 5th after dropping the 3rd & 4th sets to Chardy and DeBakker just took the 3rd set against Soderling who won the first two sets so they're playing the 4th. In the match I'm currently watching, Petzchhner has triple set point (on serve against Rafa) at 5-4 for the 2nd set in his match against Rafa Nadal ... hoping to level the match at a set apiece so the excitement continues. Ah ... he converts on his first break chance on a beautifully played net point ... so the thrills continue!

The Williams Sisters are doing great in both singles and doubles. I'm really looking forward to Serena's match against Maria Sharapova next week ... and the match between Kim Clijsters & Justine Henin especially. Methinks one of those 4 players is likely to win this year.

Andy Roddick and Leyton Hewitt are both playing well and (after Roger & Rafa) are my picks to win on the men's side. I'm really hoping Roddick finally gets his win, but it would be delightful to see Hewitt win again as well. Of course Robin Soderling and Novak Djokovic are certainly 'in the mix' along with other players. For now I'm simply taking it all in thanks to ESPN.

Sunday morning addendum: I'm glad Rafa managed to make it through in 5 sets so he'll play in the round of 16 on Monday. I hope he'll be able to play his best tennis next week. I'm really looking forward to the match between Novak Djokovic & Leyton Hewitt and hope it gets broadcast on either NBC or ESPN because my cable company doesn't seem to have a contract with the online ESPN3 streaming coverage ... sigh. It's a match I'd LOVE to watch no matter who wins, but I'll be rooting for Hewitt ... just because ;-)

For the first time in a LONG while, four Americans are in the Round of 16 ... Andy Roddick, Sam Querrey, and both the Williams sisters. Monday promises to be an exciting day of play and I'll be watching as much as I'm able ... recording the rest to view as time permits.

Aloha has moved
with her family ... of course
Molly misses her

yet she LOVES to play
with a 'squeaky' tennis ball
alone and with me ;-)

Straight out of the camera above ...
mosaic 'flipped' with poster edges below


Palette Knife above ... Watercolor below

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participating in Shadow Shot Sunday, Camera Critters, & Pet Pride

Thought for Today
"Nobody really cares if you're miserable, so you might as well be happy." Cynthia Nelms

My Forty-Something Year Old Fuschia Lives On

Scroll down for Mosaic & Blue Monday,
Ruby Tuesday, My World, and Outdoor Wednesday

but first, belatedly ...



Skies are grey in June
here in California
but my HOUSE is blue

Tiny though my yard
is ... I take delight in it
each and every day ;-)

Click to embiggen for better viewing ...

"Don't let yesterday use up too much of today."
Cherokee Indian Proverb

1. As usual for June here in Southern California at the beach, our skies have been gloomy in the morning (and occasionally all day long), but my garden is doing well. From personal experience as a Native Californian, I know the cooler weather WILL pass eventually so I'm just trying to enjoy 'what is' right now ... Just for the JOY of it! Today's post focuses on an elderly Fuschia I brought with me in a hanging basket from a previous home and which planted itself in the ground decades ago when the hanging basket fell apart.

2. I always enjoy catching up with my retired friends on the second Monday of each month, my sister (whenever she has a cell signal and calls me from the road), and neighbors when I work in my yard ... Just for the JOY of it! This week provided many opportunities to connect with others social for both Molly and myself ;-)

3. I'm happy to be able to help out a friend (dealing with serious health issues) by providing transportation for her after she was involved in an auto accident last week. Fortunately the Subaru protected her from injury by coming apart as it was intended to do ... but as a result, the car's a total loss so she'll be looking to purchase a used vehicle in the weeks ahead. After listening to her talk enthusiastically about her marvelous twice-weekly craft classes for more than a year, I observed one first-hand on Wednesday and met the friendly folks who all encouraged ME to sign up for the classes next Fall.

4. Jennifer Louden's assistant Deb has set up a Google Group for the upcoming 2010 Taos Writer's Retreat participants so we can renew old friendships and get acquainted with new folks as we prepare for the gathering at the Mable Dodge Luhan house later this summer. Sadly, I suspect I must have done something inadvertently when I updated my profile there because I'm unable to connect at the moment, but hopefully that will be corrected soon.

5. Although I'm not much of a sports fan (with the exception of the four major tennis tournaments), I did watch the last two Lakers vs. Celtics games and found the last one quite exciting. I'm looking forward to upcoming Wimbledon matches over the next two weeks and have my DVR set to record coverage on ESPN so I can watch as time permits.

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in Shadow Shot Sunday, Today's Flowers,
Friday's Fave Five, Finding Beauty, Just for the Joy of It,
Blue Monday, Mosaic Monday, Ruby Tuesday,
My World, and Outdoor Wednesday

It's been a while since I've blogged with any regularity and even longer since I've visited virtual friends in the Blogosphere ... but rest assured that my reader continues to collect your posts and I'm confident that eventually life will slow down enough for me to spend more time at the computer. In the meantime ... thanks for your patience. I hope all is well with you and yours.

See my Daily Gratitude List
in the sidebar at Small Reflections
and the lists I've transferred to Happily Retired Gal

What are some blessings in YOUR life currently?

For others who 'Blog Their Blessings'

go to My Blog Rolls and/or click on the
Blog Your Blessings logo
above Really Good Things.

For those who participate in Sacred Life Sunday
click the logo below:

Blessed Be ... and so it is!

Thought for Today
"We choose our joys and sorrows long before we experience them." Kahlil Gibran

Wishing everyone a Wonderful Weekend!

Scroll down for Yard Art,
Window Views & Just for the JOY of it!

These 13 photos
of the Goodyear Blimp were snapped
in just minutes as

misty clouds drifted
through the neighborhood ... changing
views amazingly

Click to embiggen for better viewing ...
doubling up, just for the JOY of it!

... and for others participating
in Thursday Thirteen, Sky Watch & Haiku Friday



I do love to walk
all around my neighborhood
with my camera

capturing Yard Art
flowers, signs, and windows too ...
for the JOY of it!




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participating in Yard Art , Window Views
& Just for the JOY of it!

Thought for Today
"Only the educated are free." Epictetus