Hey y'all!

I hope everyone had a wonderful fourth of July! Ours was quiet, we went hiking. LOL!

I just love to go hiking, especially when I can stop and take all kinds of great photo's. I have to make the time to get a few pics uploaded here when I can. I have a few thumbs that I am going to upload, but I haven't really worked on many lately, I have a few of dragonflies I am sharing today and a few of my artistic photo's....Wolfie n I are still working on getting fit, I have lost a few more pounds, but still working on it. I am having trouble breathing today, which is the first time since I was put on Combivent inhaler, which is good because I have not used it, until just now. Hopefully tomorrow's air quality will be better. I pray all is well with everyone! I think we are going to go hiking tomorrow. we will see. I have been busy creating a few "series" of tile backgrounds, which I have uploaded a few to Flickr, the first series I call my "Kaleidoscope Tiles" & the second series I call my " Dragonfly Sinedots Tiles". I will get a few more uploaded as soon as I can. I am still thinking about creating my own group, but Red is right, there is much to consider, however I think i can make the group "private/closed" and I think I can decide who can join and what not...not sure I just havent had any time to investigate, but I sure will let all my friends know if I create a group or not... Until next time, I wish you all much love & happiness......Dee

Hello to y'all! I sure do miss y'all....

I am sure everyone is just as busy as I am with the warmer weather chores and fun! I have been busy busy busy, with work, home, outdoor chores, and we have been hiking a great deal too! It's that time of year! Yippieeeee!!! I have also been battling some health issues (praying here) I have been experiencing S.O.B. and lower extremities Edema, so I went to my Dr. (whom I work for) This makes me a very reluctant "patient" , but I gave in after battling this for a couple of months, remember, I quit smoking in January, I gained some weight, which I definately did NOT NEED!!! but I am getting it back off now, I have already lost 10 pounds in two weeks. And I am going to lose more since I started Triamterene (HCTZ, for fluid retention) Anyway, my Doc takes a chest Xray......I have mild COPD and much scar tissue in BOTH of my lower lobes, which have receded (the scar tissue) I am blessed that there was no mass, nor fluid, I was so scared, Thank You JESUS!!! ....however, I now have to limit my outdoor activity when the air quality and heat index is high....and I am on Combivent inhaler which I only use as needed....I pray I am not too late on the smoking cessation...I have to see him in 2 weeks for a follow up (as a patient). There, enough said.....I'll keep you updated

On a brighter note.....my mom sent me these pics, and she has more coming....of my family on their Memorial weekend picnic back home...These are of My youngest son and his twins....Mom says she will send more of everyone else as soon as she can.....I also hope you like my new background....tee hee hee, heck how could you NOT???? those are the most precious set of twins I have ever laid my eyes on!... Speaking of eye's...yes that pic on my profile is my eye, which I took in the mirror, then digitally manipulated...lol!

I am also adding a music playlist....enjoy:

Enjoy my mom's pics, and in the meantime....I wish you all much love & blessings!

Dee

I hope everyone is enjoying the Memorial Day Holiday !

This weekend marks the beginning of summer fun, with BBQ's, camping, and many outdoor activities, and I wish everyone a safe & happy holiday weekend, but please remember what Memorial Day Holiday truly means....

It is a day to mourn, a day to remember our fallen soldiers, our veterans of war, those who fought for our freedom, so that we are able to have that picnic, so we can go camping, so that we may have our freedom to do whatever we want to do! Here is a bit of History on how we come to know and celebrate Memorial Day:

Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:

The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

During the first celebration of Decoration Day, General James Garfield made a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, after which 5,000 participants helped to decorate the graves of the more than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery.

This 1868 celebration was inspired by local observances of the day in several towns throughout America that had taken place in the three years since the Civil War. In fact, several Northern and Southern cities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Columbus, Miss.; Macon, Ga.; Richmond, Va.; Boalsburg, Pa.; and Carbondale, Ill.

In 1966, the federal government, under the direction of President Lyndon Johnson, declared Waterloo, N.Y., the official birthplace of Memorial Day. They chose Waterloo—which had first celebrated the day on May 5, 1866—because the town had made Memorial Day an annual, community-wide event during which businesses closed and residents decorated the graves of soldiers with flowers and flags.

By the late 1800s, many communities across the country had begun to celebrate Memorial Day and, after World War I, observances also began to honor those who had died in all of America's wars. In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday to be celebrated the last Monday in May. (Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor all veterans, living and dead, is celebrated each year on November 11.)

Today, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery with a ceremony in which a small American flag is placed on each grave. Also, it is customary for the president or vice-president to give a speech honoring the contributions of the dead and lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. About 5,000 people attend the ceremony annually.

Here is a video I hope you watch, it was created by a disabled veteran in Honor of his fallen commrades:

So, Please take a moment to remember them all, and give thanks to God above for allowing us to live here in the U.S.A...... for we are truly blessed!....God Bless the U.S.A. !!!

This video will touch your very soul.... A must see...

Please take a moment to please watch it, then take a moment to pray for ALL soldiers who fight for their country, all over the world, for this is their Memorial too!

I wish everyone one an awsome Memorial Day!!

much love & blessings!!!

Dee

Hey Y'all!

It's Almost the 4th of July!

Where did the time go? My goodness, I can't believe we are in July already! I have been keeping active with Wolfie, we are doing our exercises and eating healthier (and boy some days it sucks!!!!) LOL! But with so many new items on the market for fat free sugar free, etc. We are doing pretty good, many of them are not that bad. We are going on vacation in August, yup, back to my home town in the Adirondack Mtns. We rented a cabin nestled back in the pines on the lake. I can't wait and neither can my family. I will be taking many photo's as you all know. lol! I have added more thumbs here also, I am posting a bunch at a time, next post I think I will do all rustic cabins and scenery. My new background is a photograph I took at the Apalachian Museum of a cabin door with that rustic wreath, I loved it so I created a background...lol! I have created many new tiled backgrounds too. I havent posted them on flickr yet, but I will try.

I was thinking of creating my own group so I can load all my background files on it, thinking of calling it: Wild Mtn Honey Designs....What do you think?....if I create my own group, will you join it? All my backgrounds can be personalized and even change the color theme on some. I can also create them to order. So if you are interested juss gimme a hollar!..

oh yeah.....Ms SP tagged me so I guess I better list my thingies:

1. I love love love to buy shoes!!!! I am addicted to any kind of shoe, sandals, heels, boots, anything I think is cute I HAVE TO BUY!!! Thing is....ummmm I prefer to be barefoot! Wolfie juss rolls his eyes n shakes his head! LOL!

2. I love my photography and digital art, it is my passion, I wish I could make a living doing it...

3. I cherish my family, it's hard to be away from them and it tears me up inside to be so far away, but I am happy and love living here with the love of my life too, I guess that's why we go back twice a year and my family comes here alot too. (they should move here!)

4. I like my soft drinks at room temperature & without ice.

in the fridge ONLY on a very HOT day!

5. My favorite colors are Purple & Teal (any shades)

6. I love to help people any way I can!

7. My favorite ice cream is Chocolate!! any kind of chocolate!...Death by Chocolate, Fudge Brownie, French Chocolate.....on & on....

LOL! that's it, and I am not tagging because I am sure by the time I get this posted everyone has already been tagged! lol!

hugsssss and may God Bless you all!

Until next time...... I wish you all much love & blessings!

Dee

Hello Everyone!

Well I am trying very hard to get caught up on the blogs and my pics and yard work, house chores etc. LOL! I am having a hard time getting back into the swing of things. Not sure why, it just seems like by the time I get home from work, get all the chores done that need getting done, I log on here about 7-7:30 pm and poof! it's 8-9 pm! I read my mail, my online newspaper, and then before I know it, it's time for bed! ( I watch a few shows Tuesday through Thursday at 8 and 9 pm) Geesh I just don't know where the time goes...Anyway.....I am adding a group of thumbnails that I took at the Ripley's Aquarium, all you have to do is click on them to enlarge them...one by one.... hugssssss to you all!....I will be back again soon!....Oh yeah..... Happy Mothers Day to all you Mom's! much love and blessings!

Dee

**The above photo is Joe's tattoo he got done down here, he was so inspired by the Seahorses and what they stand for! ( the male seahorse carries the fertilized eggs to maturity and thus the babies are "birthed" by DAD!)....The tatt represents him and his twins....I thought that was a very cool thing to do!...what a great dad he is!...He is both Mother and Father to his girls.....He is a very special guy....I love him with all my heart!

Joe goofing off!

Happy Autumn to everyone!

This is my favorite season! The warm sunny days and the cool (crisp up North) nights. Apple pickin' time! Frost on the ol' pumkins! Harvest moon! Ahhhhhh!!!! I love it!

I have been a little slow to get around these days, it is canning season for me, time to make my spaghetti sauce, salsa, apple sauce and apple butter, pack pumpkin pie filling, etc. I love to do home canning, it is a hobby for me, but when I was growing up, it was a neccessity. I know just about everything there is to know about canning just about anything! LOL!! My kids always have me ship up my canned goods, they are spoiled by it, they say nothing is as good as mom's home made goods... (tee hee hee)...

Well on to other stuff, I have been playing with creating animations for MASH, and creating a few from my photography, I need to get my butt in gear to get Christmas backgrounds going for both here and over there in MASH... I surehope Yahoo merges the two, why not have the best of both worlds? I love my 360 and want to keep it, and I have always enjoyed creating animations. I have a few in my groups files, but usually will create upon request. I am getting ready to create more snow globes this year, now with MASH, we can use them over there. Sooooooo, if anyone wants one, just gimme a hollar, and it doesn't have to be Holiday oriented....it can be anything you want.....Well I just want to drop a quick note to let you all know that I miss you all and am glad to hear from you all too!

Until the next time....I wish you all much love & blessings!

Love....Dee

Hey Folks!

Well I said I would get a few of my photographs/digital art pieces up, so here I go:

I am going to post probably once or twice a week, depending on what I have to do during the week....Remember, you can always go to my galleries, which is posted on my front page as my homepage to view my work: I just thought it might be fun to post a few here n there: Today will be a few wildlife photo's I took:

Momma & one of the twin cubs

Another shot of momma with the other cub

This is a different day, I think this one was a young fella foraging for nuts n berries

Love the deer! This one was taken on a Thanksgiving Day in Cades Cove

Nice rack on this dude!

Hey Folks!

Hope all is going great for you all! We went hiking on Saturday, (finally!) We hiked 8.3 mi. total( and boy oh boy are my calves hurting today!) LOL!....It was a moderate hike with frequently uphill and rocky terrain, but I loved it! I have posted a few pics of the trail along the way. Wolfie likes to go off the "beaten path" from time to time and every time he does, I have to follow (reluctantley) and every time we run into "something"...Well this time we stumbled upon the "remains" of a very old "Al Capone" car. I told Wolfie it was probably used to run moonshine in the Smokeys....as I was focusing my camera to take a shot of the car, we heard this noise, which I thought sounded like a child talking excitedly, in the distance.....we stopped and listened and low and behold, we heard it again....it was a bobcat scolding us! omg! I was sooooo scared! I thought I was gonna pee my pants!....well I took a few FAST shots and believe me, we scooted back to that trail ASAP! the "cat" never came close nor could we even see it, but let me tell ya'....it was very very distinctive and was making it loud and clear it did NOT want us there, so we obliged! Dang it I HATE it when Wolfie does that!...He knows darn well we are gonna run into something....I am not doing it again!...he can but not me...I am staying on the blasted trail....He gets a "rush" out of it, I am positive...anyway...we are here in one piece...LOL! I also have been doing a few floral bouquet paintings and have added them here too. I pray all is well with everyone and I miss hearing from you all....I am sure as the winter chill sets in, we will be here a little more often. I am still creating backgrounds and "made to order" as well....if you are interested just send me a message.....

Until next time, I wish you all much love and blessings

Dee

Hi Everyone!

I hope all has been well with everyone!

Now with the weather being nice, I have been outside with Wolfie, mowing, weed whacking, weeding, playing in my flower beds, etc. Update on the Wolf: He is doing great, still going to P/T and increasing his mobility with every day, so soon he will back to normal, yippieeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

I miss my family alot these days, I guess it is because the kids were suppose to come down for Easter, but unexpected issues have arose and they can't make it. I may fly up there, still not sure, but it wont be Easter time, it will have to be later on, due to wolfie needing me here and I need to put in for time off at work, and get approved. Anyway, I have created a few more background themes, here and in my groups folders. I am trying to get to everyone's blog this weekend, I will do my best to catch up. I am adding a few of my artworks that I created from my photography, These Spring flowers are in my gardens. I hope you enjoy!

I am also adding two of my favorite short You Tube video's.....Hope they make you laugh!

Much love to you all!

Happy Spring!!!!

Hello everyone....I hope all is well with you all! I know I have been saying this for awhile now about not having much time to be here, and that still rings true. Wolfie n I are doing great! we are keeping up our "getting healthy" thing, although some days I just wanna relax. LOL! yea right!...Anyway...tee hee....we are getting ready to head back to my hometown in upstate NewYork in the Adirondack Mtns....I know that covers alot of territory....I come from the "Great Northeast" about an hour northeast of Albany New York. I have been busy creating some more backgrounds and fillng requests. I have a little slide show of "The Beebs" ( that is what daddy affectionately calls the twins) lol! I love it! I can't wait to go up and get some great photography sessions going on with all my grandbabies.....I wont be able to get online, maybe one or two days from my moms but that's it, so I will get back to you when we get back....We leave next week..... I hope all is well with you all!

much love and blessings to you all!....Dee

Hi folks! I apologize for not creating a blog until now, time has definately NOT been a friend to me as of late. I have been busy trying to pick up where Wolfie left off, he is under going physical therapy and NOT allowed to use his right arm in certain manners, such as mowing the lawn with the push mower (on the hills), weed whacking, no lifting, etc. I have been picking those chores up after work. It's been good exercise, to say the least, I am trying to look at things in a positive manner, lol! Not complaining, by any means, my sweet wolfie took care of me while I was healing, But I am pooped & I have less time on the computer is all.

So, forgive me, if I haven't made it to your page to comment, or comment here....I am also trying my best to continue to create more background themes, which I absolutely love to do! I am currently working on Easter, Christian, and Spring Themes, and I will add them to my Flickr, in the appropriate albums, so feel free to take a peek....I was also asked to be a moderator for a wonderful group I belong to: 360 Custom Themes!.... I accepted, so please add us to your groups if you haven't done so already!....Send us your requests! Red & Sheri are awsome artists, check out their work along with many members work.......Well enough is enough, I will be back soon, I love you all and I wish you all much love & blessings, please remember to be kind to one another, life is so very short!

Thanks for caring and sharing!

Dee

Freeware to Share

Hugs to all!

I just wanted share a few links with anyone who would like a few free programs to work with. Here are the links to a few photo manipulation, art, image altering, enhancing, etc.

Art Weaver

Art Rage 2

Google Sketch Up 6

Image Well

Pixia

Ultimate Paint

Image Forge

Tutorial on How To Capture A Screen Shot

The abover are but a few, I have tutorials and links to other various creative software and tutorial pages. As soon as time allows, I will collect them and get those posted too. Check out the freeware links above, maybe something will interest you....

Much love and blessings

Dee

P.S.- Wolfie is much improved!...He is sooooo ready to go back to work and drive, but he has to wait until he see's the Orthopedic Surgeon on Monday!...And we celebrated our 31 days of being smoke free!...yippieeeee!!!! I feel much better!....Now for the excercise and healthier eating! I have to say goodbye to chocolate!...dayum! LOL! I can do it!...But ....can Wolfie?...hmmmmm....we will just have to wait n see...hugsssssss to all!

MARDI GRAS HISTORY

Origins

The history of Mardi Gras began long before Europeans set foot in the New World. In mid February the ancient Romans celebrated the Lupercalia, a circus like festival not entirely unlike the Mardi Gras we are familiar with today. When Rome embraced Christianity, the early Church fathers decided it was better to incorporate certain aspects of pagan rituals into the new faith rather than attempt to abolish them altogether. Carnival became a period of abandon and merriment that preceded the penance of Lent, thus giving a Christian interpretation to the ancient custom.

Mardi Gras came to America in 1699 with the French explorer Iberville. Mardi Gras had been celebrated in Paris since the Middle Ages, where it was a major holiday. Iberville sailed into the Gulf of Mexico, from where he launched an expedition up the Mississippi River. On March 3 of 1699, Iberville had set up a camp on the west bank of the river about 60 miles south of where New Orleans is today. This was the day Mardi Gras was being celebrated in France. In honor of this important day, Iberville named the site Point du Mardi Gras.

The Late Eighteenth Century

During the late 1700's, pre-Lenten masked balls and festivals were common in New Orleans while it was under French rule. However when New Orleans came under Spanish rule the custom was banned. In 1803 New Orleans came under the U.S. flag. The prohibition against masked festivals continued until 1823 when the Creole populace convinced the governor to permit masked balls. In 1827 street masking was again legalized.

The Nineteenth Century

During the early 1800's public celebrations of Mardi Gras centered around maskers on foot, in carriages and on horseback. The first documented parade occurred in 1837. Unfortunately, Mardi Gras gained a negative reputation because of violent behavior attributed to maskers during the 1840's and 50's. The situation became so bad that the press began calling for an end to the celebration.

In 1857 six New Orleaneans saved Mardi Gras by forming the Comus organization. These six men were former members of the Cowbellians, an organization which had put on New Year's Eve parades in Mobile since 1831. The Comus organization added beauty to Mardi Gras and demonstrated that it could be a safe and festive event. Comus was the first organization to use the term krewe to describe itself. Comus also started the customs of having a secret Carnival society, having a parade with a unifying theme with floats, and of having a ball after the parade. Comus was also the first organization to name itself after a mythological character. The celebration of Mardi Gras was interrupted by the Civil War, but in 1866 Comus returned.

In 1870 the Twelfth Night Revelers made their appearance. In 1871 they began the custom of presenting a young woman with a golden bean hidden in a cake. This young woman was the first queen of Mardi Gras. This was also the origin of the king cake tradition.

In 1872 Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff of Russia visited New Orleans. This year the krewe of Rex made their debut and began the tradition of the "King of Carnival." Rex also introduced purple, gold and green as the official colors of Mardi Gras. Rex was the first krewe to hold an organized daytime parade and introduced "If Ever I Cease To Love" as the Mardi Gras anthem. One of the high points of Rex is the arrival of the Rex King on a riverboat. 1872 also saw the debut of the Knights of Momus on New Year's Eve.

Ten years later in 1882, the Krewe of Proteus made its debut with a parade themed after Egyptian mythology. In 1890 the first marching club, The Jefferson City Buzzards, was organized. In 1894, the Original Illinois Club was formed as the first black Mardi Gras organization. In 1896 Les Mysterieuses appeared as the first female organization.

Mardi Gras in the Twentieth Century

In 1809 Zulu appeared as a parody of Rex. The Zulu King held a banana stalk scepter and wore a lard can crown. He arrived on on oyster lugger instead of a steamboat. Zulu was destined to become one of the most popular and beloved of all krewes.

Mardi Gras was canceled during the dark years of 1918 and 1919 when the United States was involved in the bloody fighting of the First World War. The celebration struggled through the 1920's and early 30's, which saw Prohibition and The Great Depression.

The krewe of Alla brought carnival to the West Bank in 1934.

With the rise of mass produced automobiles, random truck riders had become part of the Mardi Gras scene. In 1835 they organized themselves into the Elkes Krewe of Orleanians. The Krewe of Hermes appeared in 1937 and the Knights of Babylon in 1939.

Mardi Gras prospered during the 1940's, although it was canceled during the war years. In 1949 Louis Armstrong was King of the Zulu parade and was pictured on the cover of time magazine.

In 1950 the Duke and Duchess of Windsor visited New Orleans during Mardi Gras. They honored the New Orleans Mardi Gras tradition by bowing to kings of Rex and Comus at the Comus ball. The Korean War put a damper on festivities in 1951, but several krewes joined forces to parade as the Krewe of Patria on Mardi Gras day. The Fifties also saw the replacement of mule drawn floats with ones drawn by tractors and the formation of several new krewes including Zeus. Zeus was the first krewe to parade in Metairie.