Guardian at The Gate

What a nice job to have if you are a dog. He looks more like a 'meet and greet' Collie than one who would chase you away, doesn't he? That stone house is absolutely amazing and he's probably proud to live there and guard it.

I feel like I am living in the mountains today with all of this cool air blowing on me with no humidity. So happy.

Beautiful Morning

Goodness, gracious, what a beautiful morning. Somehow the humidity of yesterday disappeared and it feels almost like autumn here at the cottage. A great day for getting things done all around the house, both inside and outside. Webster and I are thrilled. 

Baby Elephant Having Fun

This photo has been everywhere and now I'm posting it too. It is such a joyful image by Michael Graham. I wish this elephant would squirt me with some nice cold water. That would feel very good in this heat.

Great Summer Bedroom

I would dearly love to have a window over my bed in the summer. I have one on either side but I want one behind the bed too. This small vacation home bedroom is delightful, isn't it? *

Awakening Landscape

I have always loved filtered sun rays. This spectacular photo by Tomáš Záhumenský is called Awakening and it's perfect for my first post this morning. 

Agnes Obel ~ Riverside

I found this lovely song this morning YouTube.

Fritillaria Folklore

I've never even heard of flowering bulbs called Fritillaria, have you? According to folklore, there is a tear inside each one because the flower refused to bow its head when Jesus passed on Good Friday. Gertrude Jekyll wrote that in the middle of each flower, the tear drop looked like a natural pearl, but was of a soft liquid substance. She described this flower as the most strange of all flowers.

Picasso and Lump

Picasso and his beloved Dachshund named Lump.
Photo ©David Douglas Duncan

Lump by Picasso

Picasso loved animals and his work is rich with depictions of them. In contrast to his usual beautifully complex style, Picasso’s animal drawings are loved for their simplicity and minimalism. There is even a book devoted to the artist and his best friend – Picasso and Lump: A Dachshund’s Odyssey, the little-known story of Pablo Picasso and his lovable dog Lump, who is immortalized in many of Picasso's acclaimed works of art. Isn't it wonderful that a dog named Lump became an icon in modern art? via