Saturday, April 30, 2011

April 30, 2011

April 30, 2011 by bbryan
April 30, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

We finally made it out to the beach today. The weather has been less than favorable this week for beach trips. It was still windy today, but blue skies and blue water made it all worthwhile. I have no idea who this lady is, but I was impressed that someone with gray hair would go out surfing.

Friday, April 29, 2011

April 29, 2011

April 29, 2011 by bbryan
April 29, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

My wildlife adventure continues. As I was walking around in the backyard trying to find inspiration for today's photo, I felt a little tickle on my foot. I was surprised (and delighted) to see the dragonfly had landed on me.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

April 28, 2011

April 28, 2011 by bbryan
April 28, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

I'm pretty sure this little guy lives in the monkey grass at my Mother In Law's house. Today he decided to climb the garden flag pole and sun himself. I can't believe how close he let me get to take his photo, but it's almost as if he's posing.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

April 27, 2011

April 27, 2011 by bbryan
April 27, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

I believe this is a wood sorrel. I've been digging up some of the plants from my mother in law's house and transplanting them in my yard. These are going by the mailbox.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

April 26, 2011

April 26, 2011 by bbryan
April 26, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

My father in law had two passions in his life; music and books. This is only one of three book shelves he built to house his collection. This one was made to hold his albums, and later his CDs. You can see a small glimpse of the books on the top two shelves.

Monday, April 25, 2011

April 25, 2011

April 25, 2011 by bbryan
April 25, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

Donald and I took his mother to the eye doctor today. Because she lives in a nursing home and is bed ridden, we had to get special transportation to take her there. It was a huge deal to get her bathed, in a wheelchair, and loaded in the van to get to her appointment on time, which was at 2:20. For some reason, the office either didn't care or they didn't realize how hard it was to get her there, or even how hard it is for her to remain in a sitting position for any length of time. They didn't call us back until 3:20. In the waiting room, almost everyone stared at her. Once the nurse called us back, it appeared it was an inconvenience for her to work with someone in a wheelchair. She kept saying, "The doctor won't be able to examine her if she can't reach the machine." It was not a pleasant experience. The doctor was able to examine her eyes, and she was even able to pick out new glasses, which you can see in today's photo of the day.

Sunday, April 24, 2011

April 24, 2011

April 24, 2011 by bbryan
April 24, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

I've finally got all my herbs planted. This year I went with the regular varieties of things, but also went with some lesser known. This is a basil plant, but it's an African Blue basil. I love the little purple flowers.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

April 23, 2011

April 23, 2011 by bbryan
April 23, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

For as long as I can remember, my grandmother put flowers on her parents' graves, and also the grave of one of her brothers. Now it's our turn to place flowers on her grave. My mother and I went to the cemetery today to make sure she had flowers for Easter.

Friday, April 22, 2011

April 22, 2011

April 22, 2011 by bbryan
April 22, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

My parents started a photo wall when they first moved in to their home. I'm not sure they intended for it to grow the way it did, but it's as much a part of the house as the people who call it home. The wall has now stretched around three walls of the room.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

April 21, 2011

April 21, 2011 by bbryan
April 21, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

My mother's next door neighbor recently lost her husband. She always had a beautiful garden full of flowers and vegetables. This year, she has not planted anything but it is still a beautiful place.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

April 20, 2011

April 20, 2011 by bbryan
April 20, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

We're opening a new school this coming fall. The building is almost finished, enough that we can configure the network for an additional school. We had to take the entire school network down yesterday afternoon, and the guys worked until dark. They started up again at first light this morning. When I got to the office at 8:00, this is what I saw. It's hard to tell, but that was a long way up there.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

April 19, 2011

April 19, 2011 by bbryan
April 19, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

In my travels through Franklin County today, I saw a sight I haven't seen in many, many years. I believe it's an outhouse.

Monday, April 18, 2011

April 18, 2011

April 18, 2011 by bbryan
April 18, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

I had a rather long day today, and didn't get home until after 7. The dog was a little upset with me, can you tell?

Sunday, April 17, 2011

April 17, 2011

April 17, 2011 by bbryan
April 17, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

Donald and I went to help Dottie and Jon move in to their new house today. Along the way, we drove through an area that got a direct hit from yesterday's tornadoes. This is just a small example of what we saw, and when we drove by I wanted to cry for the people whose homes were hit.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

April 16, 2011

April 16, 2011 by bbryan
April 16, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

Bad storms came through NC today, with tornadoes all over the place. Fortunately, the area where I lived was spared from any of the bad stuff. However, when Donald walked Thug tonight, he found debris in the street. Not just any debris, pieces of insulation, drywall and shingles. We have no idea where it came from.

Friday, April 15, 2011

April 15, 2011

April 15, 2011 by bbryan
April 15, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

My favorite spring activity is sitting on the deck in the afternoons when I get home from work. Of course, if you know me you know that my life is spent with a little dog on my lap. Friday evenings are no exception. This look either means, "Why aren't you petting me?" or "Can we go inside and get a carrot?"

Thursday, April 14, 2011

April 14, 2011

April 14, 2011 by bbryan
April 14, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

I took a quick walk around the school grounds today. I always get excited when I see long leaf pines. I'm not exactly sure why.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

April 13, 2011

April 13, 2011 by bbryan
April 13, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

I thought the sky today was such a pretty blue with billowy clouds. I tried all day to get out and try and capture, but by the time I got out the clouds weren't so billowy. But, I still like it. This is behind one of my schools. Last year they planted tobacco in the fields. I'm not sure what is planted this year. Maybe soybeans.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

April 12, 2011

April 12, 2011 by bbryan
April 12, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

Our hummingbirds showed up on April 9. It always takes them a while to get used to us each year. I only had to wait about 20 minutes for him to show up at the feeder. I LOVED that he flashed his red throat for me! I think he was giving me a warning.

Monday, April 11, 2011

April 11, 2011

April 11, 2011 by bbryan
April 11, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

Last year our second graders planted a butterfly garden. It was a huge success, at least if you're a butterfly. They're planning to do the same thing this year. A group of students were working outside today getting it ready.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

April 10, 2011

April 10, 2011 by bbryan
April 10, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

In addition to the pretty yellow flowers of dandelions, these are also popping up in the yard. These aren't nearly as pretty, but they're much more fun. Anyone want to make a wish?

Saturday, April 9, 2011

April 9, 2011

April 9, 2011 by bbryan
April 9, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

Donald and I actually took time to go out for a bit this afternoon. Do you think Thug was glad to see him?

Friday, April 8, 2011

April 8, 2011

April 8, 2011 by bbryan
April 8, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

Yet another sign of spring, blooming azaleas!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

April 7, 2011

April 7, 2011 by bbryan
April 7, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

A sure sign of spring. Dandelions are popping up all over the place. I know they're weeds, but it makes me smile to see the little yellow flowers dotting the yard.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

April 6, 2011

April 6, 2011 by bbryan
April 6, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

Donald has discovered a beer he really likes, and it's brewed in Greensboro! One of these days we'll make it to their brewery.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

April 5, 2011

April 5, 2011 by bbryan
April 5, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

The other day at work, one of my co-workers had cleaned out his house and showed me all his junk in the back of his truck. Right at the very back was this little rocking chair! Since he knows we're going to have a grand baby, he let me have it.

Monday, April 4, 2011

April 4, 2011

April 4, 2011 by bbryan
April 4, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

I found a recipe on the Weight Watchers website that looked so simple I had to try it. All you do is take a box of Angel Food cake mix and a can of blueberry pie filling, mix them together and then bake your cake. This is the result. It's a giant. I sort of felt like I was in the I Love Lucy episode where she baked bread. The verdict on the taste is still out, the cake is cooling.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

April 3, 2010

April 3, 2010 by bbryan
April 3, 2010, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

We're home from a weekend in Wilmington. You've heard me say many times before what a green thumb my mother in law has. Her yard is the most beautiful garden you've ever seen, with many different types of flowers and trees. We were delighted to see the dogwoods were blooming this weekend.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

April 2, 2011

April 2, 2011 by bbryan
April 2, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

Eleven years ago today, my father passed away. They say time heals all wounds. I don't know if that's true. However, I do think time diminishes the pain and anguish of all wounds. The day that he died, I wanted life to stop. I didn't want anything to change since he could no longer be a part of our lives. Fortunately, life does go on, and I moved forward. I still miss him every minute of every day, and even all these years later I still think about calling him when something funny happens. I wonder if he realizes the legacy he left? And for those of you who are wondering, the photo is of my in laws back yard.

Friday, April 1, 2011

April 1, 2011

April 1, 2011 by bbryan
April 1, 2011, a photo by bbryan on Flickr.

No April Fool's jokes here. :-)