Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Wet and Aggressive Corella challenges Magpie

Sunday, 10 May 2015

Sunday Selections #223

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files. 

The meme is now continued by River at Drifting through life.  The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to River.  Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.

Like River I usually run with a theme.   Insomnia and habit mean that I am an early riser.  At the moment it has the advantage that I can get (quiet) things done before the skinny one is up.  One morning this week just before dawn I noticed a soft rose glow through the window.  And headed out with my camera.

It was subtle to begin with.


 And then I turned around and looked in the opposite direction - to the east.







 And back down the valley again...



Early morning magic.  Mad woman in dressing gown with camera dances were involved.  Again.

His high and skinniness is still verging on toad-like behaviour.  Fortunately, despite himself, he is mostly improving.  If I don't kill him he will probably survive.

129 comments:

  1. Boooooooooootiful skylines, and don't be bad about him, he is only trying!!!

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    1. He is apparently VERY trying!!

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    2. Bob Bushell and fishducky: The skies were bootiful - and fishducky nailed it. He is very, very trying.

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  2. Patience dear girl...patience! And patience is a virtue I do not have! I commend you highly! lol Hang in there...don't do anything rash...go outside and talk to the plants!! (Or set the Skinny One up out there in a tent)! ;)

    I hope you have a good week ahead...with only smooth sailing on calm seas. Hugs to J & J. :)

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    1. Lee: It was while I was outside yesterday that he indulged in toady behaviour, dragging our heavy vacuum around. Sad, given I had gone outside for some respite.
      Hugs to your furry overlords too. And you.

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  3. The valley really gave you an impressive display.
    Don't kill him. You might have a use for him later.

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    1. Alex J. Cavanaugh: You are right, I probably will have a use for him later. So I will leave it to him to kill himself.

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  4. I love your pretty pictures, and the mental picture of you out there in your bathrobe dancing, yes that one, too. :-)

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    1. DJan: I don't think that much of the street was up, so they missed the mad woman dance. Fortunate for them. They also missed the beauty in the sky...

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  5. Well I typed a comment and then my iPad froze ~ so that burst of wittiness was lost and now you get this poor consolation because I couldn't be bothered being witty twice in one day. Take care EC x

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    1. carolincairns: Frozen screens are soooooo infuriating. And the one in my mind freezes often. I hope you are enjoying your peace and quiet while the boy is absent.

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  6. It is magical indeed. Thanks for your beautiful photos.

    Greetings from London.

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  7. Too funny about your killing the patient!! Hard times I know. But you find release with the camera and the beauty of dawn. How lovely your pictures are!

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    1. Bookie: I am v bad tempered at the best of times. Which this isn't. And you are so right about the release I find with the camera, and dawn. Thank you.

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  8. Those clouds look like they're on fire. Magnificent sight!

    And as tempting as it may be, probably best not to kill the skinny one. Just saying ... :))

    Keep beating that drum.

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    1. Wendy: It was so quick too. When I went out it was moody magic, and seconds later the clouds started to blaze.
      And I probably won't kill him. Probably.

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  9. I just love the colors in the early morning and evening. Those pinks...*sigh*

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    1. mshatch: The mornings are often softer beauty here - but I love them both. And am addicted. Seriously addicted.

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  10. we just had a tremendous rain storm go through, no sunset or rainbows, yet but your photos have me hopeful

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    1. Linda Starr: We could, as usual, do with some rain. It is promised but I am not holding my breath. Windy and grey. And a tad brisk.

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  11. I loved your ending...if i don't kill him...he'll survive :)

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  12. Always did like a good cloud picture.
    Merle.............

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  13. Glad he is doing well.
    Merle........

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  14. No, murder is never a good idea!

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    1. Birdie: My better self knows that. My other selves are tempted though.

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  15. It was an unusual sunrise with what look like quite dark but patchy clouds.

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    1. Andrew: Some of them were very dark, heavy and promising. They blew away though. As did this mornings clouds. And yesterdays...

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  16. In pictures # 6 and 7, the clouds look, to me, like flying goldfish

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    1. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe: I can see that. And I like the idea of goldfish finning their way across the skies...

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  17. Your photos of the sky are absolutely beautiful!

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    1. Lon Anderson: It was a beautiful sky. Heart balm and a gift.

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  18. So beautiful. I love watching early morning magic. I don't see nearly enough of it, mostly because I'm still in bed. I used to miss it entirely when I was working the early shift; I'd walk to work in the pre-dawn dark and by the time I had a minute to look out the shop window it would be broad daylight already.

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    1. River: That is so unfair. To be up early and to miss the dawn is just wrong. And while I love my dawns, I would also love to be able to sleep through some of them.

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  19. Hi Sue,

    Speaking of early morning riser, mixed with a generous dose of insomnia and hey, here I am early in the morning and unable to sleep.

    I shall gaze at your wonderful photos.

    Glad he's improving. Killing him would kind of defeat the purpose :)

    Take care and g'day to you, Sue.

    Gary :)

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    1. klahanie: Dear Gary, Insomnia and exhaustion are cruel beasts. I hope that there is some relief for you. Soon.
      And I know that killing him is counterproductive, but the temptation is there.

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  20. You've had lovely clouds of pink...I've had clouds of engine smoke at the hot rod show.Apparently, the more noise and smoke you can generate, the better. So pink skies win my prize.

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    1. dinahmow: No argument from me. Going to a hot rod show is an incredible exhibition of caring. Noisy, smelly, dirty. I hope he had fun - and that you got some too.

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  21. Nice sunrise photos! Glad he is improving.

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    1. Strayer: Slowly improving. Mostly. When he doesn't do silly things. The sky helped my mood though.

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  22. Replies
    1. Sue in Italia/In the Land Of Cancer: It was. And the birds were singing too.

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  23. Beautiful! The sky looks like it is on fire!
    Glad that he is improving. Did you have to tie him down so that he didn't get into anything? Like behind the tv again!!

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    1. Teresa Hennes: The television is now fixed, so he has been forced to find other things to do to discourage rapid healing. Sadly he has managed to find a few.
      The sky was a necessary antidote to his silliness. Healing heart balm for me.

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  24. Seems to be beautiful around the clock over their.

    So glad his skinniness is improving.

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    1. Rawknrobyn: There is beauty everywhere if I open my eyes, my heart, my mind.
      And yes, his improvement is good. And he had better not set it back again.

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  25. The clouds are just gorgeous... look at those colors:)

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  26. It's a race to see if SP improves or dies at your hands... ;)
    Beautiful shots! What I wouldn't give, though, to see the mad woman dancing in the street while taking these. The joy would lighten my day!

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    1. River Fairchild: Believe me, the mad woman dance is not a pretty sight. You are better off not burning those synapses out.
      And yes, the race is still on...

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  27. This just reminds me that I need to get up and go outside more often in the early morning hours. Great job at capturing nature's beauty!

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    1. Stephanie Faris: Not quite light here yet, but I will be watching. And grateful for the opportunity. Going out? Perhaps...

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  28. Glad to hear he's on the mend. :) Happy you have these beautiful views to give you moments of peace. ;)

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    1. mail4rosey: Moments of peace it is. Much appreciated moments of peace.

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  29. Dear EC
    You have another mad woman in a dressing gown here too - out in the garden this morning! Beautiful photos of stunning colours. I hope Himself will not keep annoying you by trying to do things when he knows he shouldn't. Grrr!
    Best wishes (from one mad woman to another!)
    Ellie

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    1. Ellie Foster: How lovely to hear that I am not alone. Mad women rule...

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  30. Dear,
    Mad Woman in dressing gown.
    You. ROCKKKKKK. xx

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  31. I agree, Sue, you rock!! I love your sunset/sunrise photos best of all. They capture the subtle color change so well.

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    1. Raquel Somatra: I do love the skies, and wish I could capture the beauty, the magic, the enchantment better. I will keep trying though.

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  32. Glad your toad is improving, you dear madwoman!
    Love this series... I like what you do-


    ( '>
    /))
    //""

    ALOHA from Honolulu,
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^=

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    1. Cloudia: The toad is still improving, in health and to some extent in behaviour. Which is lovely. Mad woman waves to you...

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  33. This is my first visit to your blog - love the sunrise and the book list.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. handmade by amalia: Welcome and thank you. I will head over and visit you shortly.

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  34. I'm late as Sunday was such a busy day.
    The clouds lend so much to a sunrise don't they? The colours are so delicate.
    So glad to know the SP improving despite himself. Good news for you and I imagine you 'mothered' him yesterday as you always do.

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    1. Mimsie: I hope your Mother's Day with the family was wonderful. I don't mother him. He is an adult (though he doesn't always behave that way). HIs improvement is lovely news though. Long may it continue.

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  35. Replies
    1. Buttons Thoughts: Thank you - and hugs returned.

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  36. Gorgeous skies! Lovely series of photos here.

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    1. DeniseinVA: It was a lovely start to the day. And changed soooo fast.

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  37. Those photos are worth it even if it was in your dressing gown. I'm not too close to my neighbors, in proximity, but they can see my bedclothes when I venture outside early in the morning or late in the evening and they're not so pretty. I'm hoping my neighbors are smart and turn their heads away.

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    1. T. Powell Coltrin: Snap. Most of my neighbours are not early risers, and really, really don't need to start their day with me dancing in the street.

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  38. Clouds can be quite extraordinary and interesting to look at. You've really captured a unique blend here.

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    1. Spacerguy: I hope I never give up looking at and marvelling at clouds. And photographing them too.

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  39. What a super way to start the day, just beautiful!

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    1. Karen: It was. Peaceful and beautiful. And healing.

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  40. Oh yes EC do allow his skinniness to survive unprovoked by you -chuckle-
    WOW, these images are spectacular. Nothing like that here in Scotland so far but the 'dawn chorus' of birds from the woods out back is beyond belief starting around 4am! Wonderful! Truly, the colour n your photos is amazing.

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    1. Rose ~ from Oz: Loved the photos of your happy smiling face in the beauties of Scotland. And the dawn chorus is always a joy - even when it starts early.

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  41. Sunrises and sunsets --- I love how they change so quickly from one second to the other. A mad woman in a dressing gown would need to dance fast....

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  42. Sunrises and sunsets --- I love how they change so quickly from one second to the other. A mad woman in a dressing gown would need to dance fast....

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    1. Molly Bon: For a sunrise or set, this mad woman is prepared to move. And how right you are about the speed of the change.

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  43. Please don't kill him.

    The photos of the sky look amazing. I can picture you outside in your dressing gown taking photos, only because I've done it myself!

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    1. LL Cool Joe: Not going to kill him - despite temptation. And I am very glad to hear of another mad photographer dancing.

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  44. Magical start to the day. Beautiful colours really.

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  45. It has been years since I have viewed early morning sky. Love your capturing a sky to share.
    Don't kill him. You will regret it later.

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    1. Susan Kane: I see the early morning most days - and revel in it. While wishing that sometimes I could sleep through it. Yes, I know, inconsistent. Aren't we all?
      And I probably won't kill him, and would definitely regret it if I did.

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  46. We had our first pink sunset of spring - and I thought of you, EC. Even though you generally capture the sunrises instead.

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    1. jenny_o: I love them both. And hope your pink sunset was a joyous marvel.

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  47. Lovely shots of the morning sky. So pretty with all the colors!
    I love your mention of mad woman and camera dances. Too FUN. =0)

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    1. 2justByou: The mad woman enjoys her dances with a camera, but they are only suitable for a (very) restricted audience. The seriously sight impaired.

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  48. Gorgeous early morning magic! And mad woman in dressing gown could well describe me too!

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    1. ladyfi: It seems there are a few of us. And given that LL Cool Joe is also guilty it may just have to become a mad photographers dance...

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  49. A wonderful kind of morning magic - I love it. I would have run out with my camera as well. I do it myself often enough anyway.
    Early morning are my favorite time of the day.

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    1. Carola Bartz: It is my favourite time of day too. From shortly before dawn when the first of the birds are starting to sing...

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  50. I'll join you in your mad woman with camera dance, dressed in my old pyjamas so one day my fashion fail can feature on someone's blog. Need some brain bleach?

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  51. Bravo on such lovely clouds, and sky. Those kinds of dances always inspire me! I'll have to give this a try next Sunday, I have a few photos wishing for their own chance to shine too!

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    1. Karen S.: I am so pleased to have finally tracked down your blog. And yes, do join us. The more the merrier.

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  52. My blood pressure drops immensely looking at these beautiful photos!

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    1. Deb: As mine did, watching it and going out to revel in it.

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  53. Hope he is healing rapidly. The pictures are stunning. What a wonderful way to start the day.

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    1. M Pax: Healing, but taking his own sweet time about it. And a glorious start to the day helped me immensely.

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  54. Each photo more gorgeous than the last! I'm so glad you had that quiet and peace.

    I had a bad day at work yesterday and went into self preservation mode when I got home - cooking, plant watering, no internet, Dancing with the Stars. :) We know how to take care of ourselves, I think.

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    1. Lynn: I hope your bad day is a thing of the past, and doesn't repeat itself.
      We do know how to look after ourselves, but sometimes I need a reminder. Which is silly.

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  55. Replies
    1. Andew Maclaren-Scott: It was. And necessary.

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  56. Oddly enough, I think his skinniness could FIT in one of these toad houses I'm making. Surely the postage couldn't be that much. (I'm not referring to postage on the toad house.) Send him via UPS and I'll shove him in for ya, feet first.

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  57. Beautiful pictures! The views definitely make getting up so early better! I loved seeing the progression of the pink and the clouds.

    Glad to hear his skinniness is getting better all the time!
    ~Jess

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    1. DMS ~ Jess: The skies, and the birds and the garden are definitely heart-healing. Necessary, and so very welcome.

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  58. hahaha.....oh, thank you for the giggle:)
    I needed that. And the skytalk. Touched my heart:)
    much thanks,
    Jennifer

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    1. Jennifer Richardson: When you have time to raise your head (and your knees) from the ground I hope the sky sings to you too. Loudly. And sweetly.

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  59. If he's being toad-like, maybe he'll come down with a case of warts. Non-contagious ones, of course.

    Gorgeous pictures!

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    1. Riot Kitty: I think he is out-ranking a wart hog. He tells me he is being perfectly reasonable. He is improving though.

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  60. Clouds like frozen fire on the horizon. Gorgeous. I hope things are going better in your household, EC...

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    1. John Wiswell: I love your description of the clouds - thank you. Things here are improving, though there is a long way to go yet.

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  61. Mad woman with camera dances... there's a haiku in that... gorgeous rosy glow :-)

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    1. Geoff: Perhaps there is a haiku in it. For those with skills I don't possess. It was a delight though.

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  62. I'm sorry to see that your readership dropping so. Poor old thing, only getting 124 comments so far. I hope you're bearing up. I also hope Skinny is bearing up after his ordeal.

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    1. Snowbrush: Thank you for your concern. I am bearing up well, practising being a stoic.
      Himself is also bearing up. Not as well as he thinks/pretends, but bearing up. Which is more important. Much more.

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  63. Love your morning clouds on fire. Wish I had been there with my own camera to take pictures of you - dancing. Glad your skinny one is recovering. Let him, don't kill him.

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    1. Myrna R: The dancing mad woman is NOT a pretty sight. Trust me. And the skinny one has had a setback today - because in my absence he did too much. I don't need to kill him. He is doing an adequate job on his own.

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  64. I hope that the skinny one has learned his lesson and is better since you wrote that last comment. My goodness, these photos make me feel like I witnessed the changes in that gorgeous sky as they occurred. Thanks!

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    1. Susan F.: Thank you for taking the trouble to trawl through posts you missed while you were busy. His high and skinniness is mostly better. Not as better as he thinks he is, but better just the same.

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