Weekend Reflections

Today I´m joining some others at Newton Area Photo. James hosts a new meme called Weekend Reflections.

The rules are simple. This is what he wants us to do:

1)Post a reflection photograph.

2)After posting your Weekend Reflections photo, add your name, country and link to MckLinky.

3)Be sure that your link goes directly to your Weekend Reflections post.

4)Comment on other Weekend Reflections participant’s blogs.

Feel free to be creative. Remember this meme is for any type of reflection. This meme runs Friday 11ish am EST through Sunday, so feel free to link your post anytime within that time frame. Join the fun!


These Kissing Flamingos are residents of the San Diego Zoo. Our family took a trip to Southern California last summer to celebrate my father-in-law's 90th birthday. The zoo is one of the places we had the pleasure to visit.

I love how the water is almost covered in pink from all of the flamingos in the pond. Even the foilage can be seen between the pink and the stick legs of the birds. To watch these magnificent creatures play is a treat not only for the eyes, but lifts the spirit, as well.

Have a wonderful weekend!

This is It - Part Deaux

I just returned from watching this incredible documentary! I didn't have to ask my daughter twice if she wanted to see it with me. It was unbelievable! I forgot that I was watching rehearsals. I felt like I was part of the audience at one of the 50 concerts Michael Jackson had planned.

The film showed every aspect of what goes into the making of a live concert. We were shown the many facets of production...the musicians, the singers, the dancers, the costume people, the makeup people, the technical experts, the documentary film makers, and, of course, the King of Pop. It was wonderful to watch him work!

For a more informative take on the movie, please visit Manic. She goes into great detail about some of the numbers, injects her wonderful sense of humor, and if you have yet to see the movie, you will surely want to after reading her post!

I am saddened by the fact that Michael Jackson is no longer with us. I was saddened that, with all the preparation and manpower by everyone involved with the show, they would not have the privilege to travel the world with Michael and help spread the magic of his incredible musical gifts.

God Bless you Michael! May your soul rest in peace.

This Is It!

A mere three words to describe what might have been an historical musical comeback for one of the most talented singers of all time. If his private life, along with human errors, is put aside, you simply must agree that his status as King of Pop is well-deserved.

I regret never attending a concert of his, even though I desperately wanted to be a part of the magic. I hope this event will leave us all with thoughts of who Michael Jackson was as an entertainer and how hard he worked to bring us the best that he had to give.

Rest in peace.

Night of the Living Cutie-Pies!

I love passing out candy on Halloween nights. We don't get nearly the crowds we used to get, but there are still a few diehards out there. There are so many alternative celebrations for kids today, like mall Trick-or-Treating, Tailgating at schools and/or churches (Trick-or-Treating out of the backs of cars), and home parties. We have a local church that sponsors a carnival which draws big crowds with the rides and food, and then still manages to spread their ministry on Halloween night.


Long gone are the days when you went door to door with your pillow case, staying out until it was almost full of candy, and didn't have think twice about someone stealing your bag of goodies. Not so the case today. I always went with a friend. Times change, and we adapt.


In any case, many little goblins, gremlins and princesses are just as cute as they were 50 years ago. Throughout this post, I've shared some of the costumes worn by my little angels. Some were bought, some were made and some were recycled, but all were worn with the excitment and reckless abandon that comes with the characters that they became on All Hallows Eve!

I Am Blessed

Six Word Saturday - a great way to get the creative writing juices started on a cool Saturday morning. Click on the icon and visit the author of this very clever blog!

I AM BLESSED, THIS I KNOW!

One Year Milestone!

I'm ordering flowers today for a friend in Chicago. She is having a party to celebrate one year of being free of breast cancer. A few of us cannot be there in person to celebrate with her, so our pink flowers will be there for us.

It seems as though just about everyone knows one or more cancer survivors, whether it is a friend, co-worker, or even themselves. I am truly grateful for the advocates, warriors and loud voices of men, women & children everywhere who remind us to get checked and follow up with the check-ups!

Her story is an amazing one, and I won't tell it here and now without her permission. What I will tell you is the incredible amount of strength and support she has received from family and friends near her home, as well as the plethora of friends she has here in St. Louis. Her faith played a very large part in her treatment and recovery. I can picture her praying with her doctors shortly before going under anesthesia, and then again shortly after coming out of it. The chemo treatments...the nurses, the drivers and the entourage who followed her everywhere... they were honored to be a part of her day and prayers. I can also see her sitting in a doctor's office getting bad news, praying with the doctor, and immediately feeling content and assured that no matter what the outcome, she will have the "Big Guy" walking through it with her...every step of the way.

Well, the "Big Guy" did walk through it with her and she is giving a party, not only for herself, but in gratitude for the heavenly intervention. She has been cancer free for one year, has her life back (along with, I think, a new set - I'm so jealous) and if I know her, she has already become involved in giving back to another who is traveling that same scary road.

Congratulations, girlfriend, and God Bless you!

Sundays in My City #3 (on Monday)

We have recently had a lot of rain and gloomy skies in St. Louis. I haven't been able to take any decent pictures of "My City." So, instead, I decided to write about an event held in "My City" that I was privileged to attend this past weekend. I am unable to provide pictures of the event, but found some very cute pictures that resemble the participants.

It has been years since I have attended a fashion show...of any kind. The niece of a good friend was a model in an event called "Catch a Shooting Star Luncheon and Fashion Show." It is an annual event presented by the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis. To learn more about this organization, click here.


The fashion show was delightful. Current pop music played in the background while the models were introduced and walked the runway. One of our local TV personalities emceed the event and read bios of the models as they showed off their fall ensembles from Target. Halfway through the show, the lights went down and the tempo changed as Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” was played. The ensembles were now a Halloween theme! All of the guests were given small pen-flashlights, and we were then instructed to shine them on the ceiling. The effect was just as fun for us as it was for the models.

My invite to the show was from the aunt of Maggie, one of the models. Maggie is a college graduate, originally from the Chicago area. She is currently living in an extraordinary planned community called “St. Louis Life.” Please check out their website here.

St. Louis Life is a community-based, residential program for young adults with developmental disabilities. Residents work and live in the community and are allowed to make decisions that affect all aspects of their lives. This independent living program offers single-bedroom apartments, job placement/coaching, social, educational and recreational activities, and many other support services. Maggie loves living at St. Louis Life!


Please visit to the website of this incredible organization. It was very heartwarming for me to learn about St. Louis Life. If you have something like this near you, I’d love to hear about it!

By the way, this is my 100th post! Yesssssss, they haven’t kicked me out yet!