This and That

Most of the autumn leaves have fallen now, although a few oaks here and there are hanging on to some leaves. 

On my way to my studio, I noticed that some of the leaves on this ivy plant were turning red!  It's been hanging in the same place for about 5 years now and the leaves have always been green.  I hope this doesn't mean it's got some sort of disease.

It's been really cold up here with lows at night in the twenties.  On the 27th we got a little bit of rain and a sprinkle of snow.  Only a half inch, but it's all welcome. 

Last week, I made a card for a friend.  I've just started to get into card making.  So far, I'm loving it.  It's a nice change from painting, and very relaxing. 

Linking with:  Our World Tuesday

Normandie Cottages

No, not Normandy, France...these are some cute little cottages in Redlands, California.  I took these several years ago and have been meaning to post them on my blog...better late than never.

This is the street they're on; it's a very short cul-de-sac and I understand there is a waiting list for homes to be put up for sale!  Hmmm...

This cottage had a darling little orange and white kitty in the window.

I'm linking with: Through My Lens

Happy Thanksgiving

Wishing everyone abundant blessings...

Rain!

It rained last night!  We received a little over an inch of rain...not a drought breaker, but it's all important.  The ski resorts received a couple of inches of snow, probably not enough to last through the Thanksgiving weekend, but they've been making snow so the runs are good. 

The colors are always intensified after rain, and I think a cloudy day makes them even more brilliant.

Everything got a good washing. 

It was lovely walking through the damp, cool air today.  Even the fallen leaves and pine needles had extra color.

On the north side of the mountains the clouds were chasing each other. 

On the south side of the mountains the sun was peeking through. 

Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny, drat it.  The clouds never stay long enough these days...

Linking with:  Through My Lens

Virga

There are clouds around, but they're not giving any rain to parched California.  I think the air is so dry the rain is evaporating before it can even reach the ground, a weather phenomenon that's referred to as Virga. This photo was taken looking south-east from Highway 18 towards the San Jacinto mountain range in the far distance. 

Linking with:  Our World Tuesday

Skywatch Friday

Relentless blue California sky...I wish it would rain.

I feel a little better after finding out that Hillary won the popular vote by over 400,000 votes.  But, once again, the will of the people has been trashed by the Electoral College.  That's a mess that needs to be cleaned up.

My brother, Jack, served on a destroyer in the Pacific during World War II.  Thank you, dearest brother...and thank you, men and women everywhere who have fought on the side of the good, for our  freedom.

Linking with: Skywatch Friday

Dark Times

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men (and women) do nothing."  Edmund Burke


I am heartsick...the America I thought I knew is gone, and I feel like a stranger in my own land.

Endlessly Entranced

These photos are a series of leaves in the backyard bird bath that I took last October just after a bit of rain.

 I am endlessly entranced by autumn...



Linking with: Through My Lens

Q is For...

Starting with the obvious...Q is for "quack, quack, quack!" 

Quaint, delicate teacups. 

Randi and Rita are so quick, it's hard to get a non-blurry photo of them. 

One of my favorite things to do is to listen to a quiet breeze moving through autumn leaves. 

It doesn't matter how beautiful the weather is, it's always quake (earthquake) weather in California!  As I finished snapping this photo a 3.1 rumbled underneath my feet.  Thankfully, no damage anywhere on that day.


Linking with: ABC Wednesday

Colors

A pretty dogwood tree in the San Bernardino mountains. 

Linking with: Our World Tuesday