Quoth She

A Father's Greatest Gift

2011-08-20T09:39:00.000-05:00

The greatest gift a father can give to his children

is to love their mother.

My first grandchild- the little Lady Bug. I think my daughter K is quite fortunate to have CT for a husband and father for her children. And this picture pretty much sums it all up. CT has two girls to take care of now! And he seems to take that responsibility pretty seriously.

2011-06-26T05:00:00.004-05:00

Let us be grateful to those who make us happy,

they are the charming gardeners

who make our souls blossom.

Marcel Proust

2011-06-25T13:00:00.000-05:00

While we have the gift of life,

it seems to me the only tragedy

is to allow a part of us to die,

whether it is our spirit,

our creativity,

or our glorious uniqueness.

Gilda Radner

Ivory Palaces

2011-04-23T16:56:00.000-05:00

Out of the Ivory Palaces

Into a world of woe

Only his great, eternal love

Made my Savior go

It's A Short Drive

2011-04-19T07:06:00.000-05:00

No one can drive us crazy

unless we give them the keys.

Doug Horton

Scary, but that is my "key" to get into the new Tiny Town High. I don't think I'm ever going to feel too nostalgic about this hunk of plastic. I love the old skeleton keys. Almost any metal key has a bit of mystery or charm. A plastic credit card looking thing that you swipe? Not so much.

Spring Fever

2011-04-17T21:44:00.000-05:00

It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is.

And when you've got it, you want-

oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want,

but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!

Mark Twain

Man's Love of Fire

2011-04-04T19:36:00.000-05:00

To poke a wood fire is more solid enjoyment

than almost anything else in the world.

Charles Dudley Warner

Going To The Woods

2011-03-29T20:54:00.000-05:00

I went to the woods

because I wished to live deliberately,

to front only the essential facts of life,

and see if I could not learn what it had to teach,

and not, when I came to die,

discover that I had not lived.

Henry David Thoreau, 1854

Hats Never Went Out Of Style

2011-03-28T20:46:00.000-05:00

It is not easy to be crafty and winsome at the same time,

and few accomplish it after the age of six.

John W. Gardner and Francesca Gardner Reese

By far the best hat on the slope this year. I had to move fast to capture this little live wire!

Ah, Faith!

2011-03-27T13:31:00.008-05:00

Faith is believing

that the outcome will be what it should be,

no matter what it is.

Colette Baron-Reid

This little one in ski helmet caught my eye last week on my ski trip. It wasn't until after I took the picture that I realized her name was Faith. Quite appropriate. And I love this quote by Colette Baron-Reid. "Things happen for a reason." I've been telling myself that for quite awhile now. I just never realized that is a form of faith.

Only Julie Andrews Can Call the Alps--Hills

2011-03-24T20:40:00.001-05:00

The hills are alive

with the sound of music

with songs they have sung

for a thousand years.

The Sound of Music

One of my favorite pictures from our recent ski trip. The Rockies are beautiful. I took this one on my last run of the first day. I love the white snow and blue sky. Looking at this picture, I can almost smell the air!

What A Difference

2011-03-14T08:03:00.002-05:00

What a difference a day makes!

We Can't Fail

2011-02-23T20:07:00.000-06:00

If our American way of life fails the child,

it fails us all.

Pearl Buck

Power Lines at Sunset

2011-02-21T19:57:00.000-06:00

Electricity, the peril the wind sings to

in the wires on a gray day.

Janet Frame

Howling At The Moon

2011-02-20T20:50:00.001-06:00

I've never felt like I was born with a silver spoon at all,

although I've felt like howling at the moon

a lot of times!

Van Morrison

The full moon, the barbed wire, and the grasses all caught my eye. Just a typical scene in my area, but quite easy to overlook. I have a hard time capturing just how big those full moons look.

Cups of Blessings

2011-02-20T08:39:00.000-06:00

Never lose an opportunity

of seeing anything that is beautiful;

for beauty is God's handwriting - a wayside sacrament.

Welcome it in every fair face,

in every fair sky, in every fair flower,

and thank God for it as a cup of blessing.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Choices

2011-02-14T20:57:00.000-06:00

Aged Is Best

2011-02-13T21:20:00.000-06:00

Age appears to be best in four things;

old wood best to burn, old wine to drink,

old friends to trust, and old authors to read.

Francis Bacon

Our Help and Hope

2011-02-12T20:49:00.000-06:00

Oh God, our help in ages past,

Our hope for years to come;

Be thou our guide while life shall last

And our eternal home.

Issac Watts

All Kinds of Good Weather

2011-02-10T20:51:00.000-06:00

Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing,

wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating;

there is really no such thing as bad weather,

only different kinds of good weather.

~John Ruskin

Nature's Face Lift

2011-02-09T19:46:00.000-06:00

Kindness is like snow--

it beautifies everything it covers.

Winter: Time For Home

2011-02-07T22:01:00.000-06:00

Winter is the time for comfort,

for good food and warmth,

for the touch of a friendly hand

and for a talk beside the fire:

it is the time for home.

~Edith Sitwell

Out My Window

2011-02-05T10:44:00.000-06:00

Again I Say...

2011-01-16T15:27:00.000-06:00

There was a lot of rejoicing in Tiny Town this past week when our children returned to new schools. We've endured--and come out stronger on the other side.

Words from Colette

2011-01-13T20:01:00.000-06:00

I like that saying so much that it has been at the front of my classroom for the past 29 years or so. I made a brand new sign for the brand new classroom.

There's Time

2011-01-12T21:30:00.000-06:00

Sampler #2. Made by the same dear Auntie; only this time she made it for my mom. After Mom died, I inherited it. My two samplers hang side by side, where I can see them often.

Library Wisdom

2011-01-11T15:02:00.000-06:00

The library in our new high school has famous works painted around the top of the walls and famous quotes under glass. This is one of them.

Pass It On

2011-01-10T21:09:00.000-06:00

A Delicious Obsession

2011-01-09T21:54:00.002-06:00

History Repeats Itself

2011-01-08T17:13:00.000-06:00

I think this is a WWI song. This sheet music is framed and hanging over my piano.

Such Style

2011-01-06T21:32:00.000-06:00

Old Sheet Music.

The Kitchen is the Heart of the Home

2011-01-05T20:49:00.000-06:00

A sampler made by a dear aunt almost 35 years ago now.

Put It In Your Carry On

2011-01-04T18:00:00.007-06:00

Easy Street's calendar for this year.

Hi Ho Hi Ho

2011-01-03T20:34:00.001-06:00

Noticing a trend? Signs. Cards. Calendars. Pictures.

So True!

2011-01-02T17:40:00.000-06:00

Every one of us is here...

2011-01-01T22:19:00.000-06:00

Love Story

2010-11-17T05:00:00.006-06:00

True love stories never have endings.

Richard Bach

The photo isn't mine. The bride is. And now the groom is, too. I think every photograph the photographer took captured two of the happiest people I know. This one pretty much summed up their day.

Foolishly Enthusiastic

2010-11-16T05:00:00.001-06:00

You will do foolish things,

but do them with enthusiasm.

Colette

Yep, he is one of mine. He made up part of the sophomore boys "Iron Man" volleyball team. These guys don't do anything half way.

Learning With Pleasure

2010-11-15T05:00:00.002-06:00

What we learn with pleasure,

we never forget.

Alfred Mercier

Autumn for Man and Nature

2010-11-08T05:00:00.001-06:00

For man, autumn is a time

of harvest, of gathering together.

For nature, it is a time

of sowing, of scattering abroad.

Edwin Way Teale

Fishing for Relaxation

2010-11-06T10:02:00.000-05:00

Many men go fishing all of their lives

without knowing that it is not fish they are after.

Henry David Thoreau

Riding...riding

2010-11-03T05:00:00.003-05:00

Ride A Wild Horse

Ride a wild horse

with purple wings

Striped yellow and black

except his head

which must be red.

Ride a wild horse

against the sky -

hold tight to his wings

before you die

whatever else

you leave undone

once

ride a wild horse

into the sun

Hannah Kahn

Sunrise Renewal

2010-11-02T05:00:00.001-05:00

With each sunrise,

we start anew.

The Hills Are Alive

2010-10-28T05:00:00.006-05:00

I go to the hills when my heart is lonely

I know I will hear what I've heard before

My heart will be blessed with the sound of music

And I'll sing once more

The Sound of Music

Morning Tiptoes In

2010-10-27T05:00:00.006-05:00

Through the blackest night,

morning gently tiptoes,

feeling its way to dawn.

Robert Brault

If you read my Easy Street blog, you know that I took this picture on my way into Trailer High on Monday morning. This was the sunrise that greeted me. I haven't touched the picture; it is straight out of the camera. I love the elevators in shadow. They scream, "Small Town America."

Sowing Seeds

2010-10-26T05:00:00.003-05:00

If you think in terms of a year,

plant a seed;

if in terms of ten years,

plant trees;

if in terms of a hundred years,

teach the people.

Confucius

If I Only Had A Brain

2010-10-25T05:00:00.004-05:00

I could while away the hours

Conferrin' with the flowers

Consultin' with the rain

And my head I'd be scratchin'

While my thoughts were busy hatchin'

If I only had a brain.

The Wizard of Oz

Back roads

2010-10-23T10:17:00.001-05:00

The everyday kindness of back roads

more than makes up for the acts of greed

in the headlines.

Charles Kuralt

If you read Easy Street, you know that I love the CBS Sunday Morning News. My mom got me started on the show back when Charles Kuralt was the host. I loved his folksy delivery. I was quite disappointed when his double life came out after his death.

Charles Osgood was a good replacement choice. I heard him speak at the National English Teacher's conference quite a few years ago. I love his sense of humor and his rhymes. I love his delivery on CBS Sunday Morning. And I especially love that he sings and plays the piano once in awhile. And on the New Years show this last year--he played and sang "Auld Lang Syne." Yes, I love Charles Osgood, too!

Lots of Glory

2010-10-22T05:50:00.000-05:00

The greater the obstacle,

the more glory in overcoming it.

Moliere

The tornado wiped out a lot of old, old trees in Tiny Town. This family left the remaining stumps to remind us of those gorgeous old trees, and they've turned them into planters for some seasonal color. Talk about making lemonade out of lemons...!

Struggling, while life goes on

2010-10-21T07:07:00.000-05:00

As we struggle to make sense of things,

life looks on in repose.

Little Pumpkin Heads

2010-10-20T05:00:00.018-05:00

Men are like pumpkins. All the good ones

are either taken or they've had everything

scraped out of their heads with a spoon.

Sorry guys. That quote was just too good to omit! I'll have to bash women another day...or not!

Stroke of Luck

2010-10-19T05:00:00.003-05:00

Remember, not getting what you want

is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck!

How's Your Karma?

2010-10-18T05:00:00.028-05:00

Follow the three R's of good karma:

1. Respect for self.

2. Respect for others.

3. Responsibility for all of your actions.

Native Grasses

2010-10-17T05:00:00.003-05:00

Gardening imparts an organic perspective

on the passage of time.

William Cowper

I love the native grasses this time of year.

Wearing My Shades

2010-10-15T21:20:00.001-05:00

"The future's so bright

I gotta wear shades."

Timbuk 3 Lyrics

Sorry I have been absent for so long. Life has been crazy lately. My oldest daughter got married. This picture is from the outdoor ceremony. We had a great time. There were a lot of happy moments, but now it is time for me to get my camera dusted off and begin again.

Miracle of Sunrise

2010-09-14T05:34:00.001-05:00

We can only appreciate the miracle of a sunrise

if we have waited in the darkness.

A Father's Full Arms

2010-09-13T05:00:00.003-05:00

A truly rich man is one whose children

run into his arms when his hands are empty.

I didn't know this Dad and his kids, but they sat in front of me at the U game on Saturday. I couldn't resist the image of this little group--something so sweet about how the kids stayed close to Dad.

Go Out For A Walk

2010-09-10T05:00:00.002-05:00

If you are seeking creative ideas, go out walking.

Angels whisper to a man when he goes for a walk.

Raymond Inmon

The Miracle of a Blue Sky

2010-09-09T05:00:00.010-05:00

“People usually consider walking on water
or in thin air a miracle.

But I think the real miracle
is not to walk either on water

or in thin air, but to walk on earth.

Every day we are engaged in a miracle

which we don't even recognize:

a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves,

the black, curious eyes of a child --

our own two eyes.

All is a miracle.”

Thich Nhat Hanh

Butt Prints In the Sand

2010-09-08T05:00:00.012-05:00

Butt Prints In The Sand

One night I had a wondrous dream,
One set of footprints there was seen,
The footprints of my precious Lord,
But mine were not along the shore.

But then some stranger prints appeared,
And I asked the Lord, "What have we here?"
Those prints are large and round and neat,
"But Lord they are too big for feet."

"My child," He said in somber tones,
"For miles I carried you alone.
I challenged you to walk in faith,
But you refused and made me wait."

"You disobeyed, you would not grow,
The walk of faith, you would not know.
So I got tired, I got fed up,
and there I dropped you on your butt."

"Because in life, there comes a time,
when one must fight, and one must climb.
When one must rise and take a stand,
or leave their butt prints in the sand."
Author Unknown

There is a part of me that believes God surely must feel like this once in awhile! He can only do so much, especially if we aren't willing to do anything. Sometimes He just needs to force us into action.

Greatest Poetry? The Poetry of Childhood

2010-09-07T05:00:00.007-05:00

The greatest poem ever known

Is one all poets have outgrown:

The poetry, innate, untold,

Of being only four years old.

~Christopher Morley, To a Child

Self Portrait Roller Coaster

2010-09-02T05:00:00.013-05:00

“" Life can be like a roller coaster...

And just when you think you've had enough,

and you're ready to get off the ride
and take the calm, easy merry-go round...

You change your mind, throw your hands in the air

and ride the roller coaster all over again.

That's exhilaration...that's living a bit on the edge...

that's being ALIVE."

Stacey Charter

This self-portrait was taken at the end of a busy day with the photo booth application on my new school mac computer. There are all kinds of backgrounds available. I liked the roller coaster. It fit for that day. It seems appropriate for most days. After all, I am a school teacher! (Oh, and I could waste a lot of time trying to figure out how to use all the nifty applications available!)

Bachelorette Bowling

2010-09-01T05:00:00.002-05:00

The bowling alley is the poor man's country club.

Sanford Hansell

Round #2 of Bachelorette Party photos. This one is from the bowling alley. They had a live DJ who was so loud that my teeth were buzzing, to say nothing of the fact that I think I am glad that I couldn't undertstand the lyrics!!! Definitely a bowling alley for the young and hip crowd.

Just Living

2010-08-31T05:00:00.015-05:00

I never lose sight of the fact

that just living is fun.

This is somewhat of a "ruined" picture. Who knew taking a picture inside of a moving limo could be so tough? I'd never been in a limo before. I'm pretty sure I am the only one of this crowd who hadn't been--and I was the oldest by 25 years. Hmmmm....is that fair? This was K's bachelorette party. Who knew the Mom would be invited?! Gotta love my daughters!

Watching the Clouds Roll In

2010-08-26T06:18:00.000-05:00

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.

It's about learning to dance in the rain.

Full Moons

2010-08-25T06:01:00.000-05:00

I'll be looking at the moon,

but I'll be seeing you.

Four Year Olds

2010-08-22T20:38:00.000-05:00

The prime purpose of being four

is to enjoy being four-

of secondary importance is to prepare for being five.

Jim Trelease

Sisters

2010-08-13T22:31:00.000-05:00

Sisters function as safety nets in a chaotic world

simply by being there for each other.

Carol Saline

I haven't yet decided whether it is better for them to be fighting with each other or getting along with each other and picking on me...!

Discipline

2010-08-11T05:00:00.006-05:00

Because of their size,

parents may be hard to discipline properly.

P.J O'Rourke

This isn't really time out, though it looks like it. These two are engrossed in a personal DVD player. Big brother and little sister were giggling together over a movie when most of the time they were fighting. He'd push or hit her, and she'd scream. But for thirty minutes, they sat quietly side by side. Miracles do happen!

Swimming

2010-08-10T05:00:00.001-05:00

Sometimes God calms the storm.

At other times, He calms the sailor.

And sometimes He makes us swim.

Author Unknown

Opposites Attract

2010-08-09T08:38:00.001-05:00

Opposites attract,

but the like minded last.

I'm not sure where the quote came from. This photo is not mine, but a professional photographer's. He was doing K and CT's engagement shoot. This quote and photo pretty much sum up their relationship.

2010-08-04T19:58:00.000-05:00

A bad day of fishing is better

than a good day of work.

Susan asked if I'm OK. I've been gone too long. Life has been hectic lately, but it is about to get back to routine. It has been fun hectic, but hectic none the less. I'm ready for life to return to normal. In the meantime, this picture is of the son-in-law to be. He is an avid fisherman and hunter. This photo is from my night on the lake in his boat--the first boat ride since the stroke four years ago. It was a beautiful evening!

When Love Is Kind

2010-07-22T07:32:00.000-05:00

When love is kind,

cheerful and free

love's sure to find

welcome with me.

But when love brings

heartache and pang

tears and such things

love may go hang!

Thomas Moore

I always liked this song from back in the voice lesson days. I could identify at age 16. I can still identify! And somehow, these lyrics have never left me.

Every Evening

2010-07-19T08:29:00.000-05:00

Every evening I turn my worries over to God.

He's going to be up all night anyway.

Mary C. Crowley

Wheels of History

2010-07-16T05:00:00.003-05:00

Blood alone moves the wheels of history.

Martin Luther

Music Museum

2010-07-15T06:28:00.000-05:00

If the King loves music,

it is well with the land.

Mencius

This is the end of the vacation photos. Toward the end of our vacation we went to Vermillion, South Dakota to the National Music Museum. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it was quite interesting. It was kind of like a tour of musical instruments through the ages. There were ancient drums, harps, and pianos. I liked the really old instruments and the modern instruments. The rest were a bit over my head.

Bottled Poetry

2010-07-14T05:00:00.002-05:00

Wine is bottled poetry.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Storm or a Squall?

2010-07-13T05:00:00.003-05:00

It takes a real storm in the average person's life

to make him realize how much worrying he has done

over the squalls.

Bruce Barton

This is another vacation picture, though this one was taken in Sioux City, Iowa. The 4th of July was stormy everywhere in the midwest, but I loved the dark cloud reflected in the river.

As for the quote, a stroke and a tornado have taught me the difference between what is an emergency and what is an inconvenience. This quote is so true. Suddenly, a lot of trivial things weren't so important!

Worn Rocks

2010-07-12T05:00:00.001-05:00

Water continually dropping

will wear hard rocks hollow.

Plutarch

When we were in Sioux Falls, we had plenty of opportunity to see what water could do to rocks. Most of the rocks at the falls are worn smooth and make great places to play for the kids, and great resting spots for the adults.

Adapting to the Winds

2010-07-08T05:00:00.008-05:00

The pessimist complains about the wind;

the optimist expects it to change;

the realist adjusts the sails.

William Arthur Ward

We saw several wind farms in South Dakota. One was huge. There were windmills as far as we could see. I know some people dislike windmills, but there is just something about them that I love. Between the ground and the sky, they remind me of a work of art.

Accidentally Leaving Doors Open

2010-07-07T08:26:00.000-05:00

Happiness often sneaks through a door

you didn't know you left open.

John Barrymore

Cathedrals

2010-07-06T05:00:00.005-05:00

Mankind was never so happily inspired

as when it made a cathedral.

Robert Louis Stevenson

4th July 2010

2010-07-04T10:13:00.000-05:00

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives.

I like to see a man live so that his place

will be proud of him.

Abraham Lincoln

Quote from Laura

2010-07-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

Baseball Days

2010-06-30T05:00:00.006-05:00

Baseball was made for kids,

and adults only screw it up.

Bob Lemon

There is almost nothing better than a T-ball game. One of my favorite little guys is having a serious discussion on the bench before he goes out to bat. (Everybody bats, but notice the glove is still on. You have to be prepared!!) And he will slide into home. every. single. time. Almost four is a perfect age for baseball!

Nothing Changes??...

2010-06-29T05:00:00.005-05:00

Know what's weird?

Day by day nothing seems to change,

but pretty soon....everything's different.

Calvin and Hobbs

I guess I have been quoting comic strips lately. I've always thought there was a lot of wisdom in our cartoons. (And I loved "Calvin and Hobbs"!!)

Flood Waters Recede

2010-06-28T05:00:00.002-05:00

The flood waters will recede,

the famine will end,

the sun will shine tomorrow,

and I will always be here to take care of you.

Charlie Brown to Snoopy

We've had a lot of rain around these parts. The rivers, creeks, and lakes are full to overflowing. This is what is left when the waters recede.

Wising Up

2010-06-25T05:00:00.002-05:00

By three methods we learn wisdom:

First, by reflection, which is noblest;

second, by imitation, which is easiest;

and third, by experience, which is bitterest.

Confucious

Farming? Easy???

2010-06-24T05:00:00.008-05:00

Farming looks mighty easy

when your plow is a pencil

and you're a thousand miles from the field.

Dwight David Eisenhower

A Philosophy For the Hypercritical

2010-06-22T22:02:00.000-05:00

See everything;

overlook a great deal;

correct little.

Pope Paul XXIII

Solitude- A Solution

2010-06-21T06:26:00.000-05:00

We live in a very tense society.

We are pulled apart...

and we all need to learn how

to pull ourselves together...

I think that at least part of the answer lies in

solitude.

Helen Hayes

The Best Fathers

2010-06-20T11:51:00.000-05:00

He didn't tell me how to live;

he lived, and let me watch him do it.

Clarence Budington Kelland

Photo by the Mr.

God's and Man's Love of Flowers

2010-06-18T05:00:00.003-05:00

God loved the flowers and invented soil.

Man loved the flowers and invented vases.

On Hope- From 'Superman'

2010-06-17T06:04:00.000-05:00

Once you choose hope,

anything's possible.

Christopher Reeve

Dogs- Ignorance is Bliss

2010-06-15T05:00:00.003-05:00

Did you ever walk into a room

and forget why you came in?

I think that is how dogs spend their lives.

Sue Murphy

This is Mr. Baxter our Shih Tzu Poodle mix puppy. He is housebroken, but is getting ready to start some obedience training. Today, Easy Street is all about dogs and their impact on our lives. I like Baxter. He is more tolerant than most people I know, and most of the time-- he is easier to love!

Ah, Water!

2010-06-14T05:00:00.002-05:00

And so began my love affair with water.

Brad Paisely lyrics "Water"

Figure out where you're going

2010-06-11T23:00:00.000-05:00

If you don't know where you're going,

any road will take you there.

Dragonflies

2010-06-10T05:00:00.001-05:00

The dragonfly:

a flying flower?

This glow-in-the-dark dragonfly yard art

was a gift. I love it. It reminds me of childhool.

My sister and I spent many summers

trying to catch the dragonflies at the creek

--with no luck.

They were so pretty--and obviously

meant to stay free.

Sum-Sum-Summertime!

2010-06-09T08:49:00.000-05:00

Summer afternoon- summer afternoon;

to me, those have always been

the two most beautiful words

in the English language.

Henry James

The Wisdom of Thoreau

2010-06-07T21:37:00.001-05:00

I went to the woods
because I wanted to live deliberately,

to front only the essential facts of life,

and see if I could not learn what it had to teach,

and not, when I came to die,

discover that I have not lived.

Henry David Thoreau