lakefront park....

lakefront park in prior lake was my park hopping destination most of last week.  my son lucas and i enjoyed exploring one evening before sunset.   he strapped on his rollerblades (see earlier post ~ lucas) and we set off. 

there are so many trails to choose from.  the above photo led to a water fountain and fishing location.  a very serene place to fish and watch frogs swimming around in the weeds and algae.

mmmm....a floating boardwalk.....i wonder what is on the other side?

birch trees...the guardians of the trail and boardwalk entrance.  i looked for some bark that may have fallen off but there was none.  i love the bark of birch trees...i have always wanted to write a story on it.  i remember going on a grade school field trip up to mille lacs lake thinking the same thing.  hmmmmm.....

winding trails and paths are a beautiful thing ~**~*~*~

~*~*~ no lake is complete without ducks ~*~*~

this is where we watched the sun setting over the tree line....while resting on the floating boardwalk.

bless my child's heart for suggesting it.

he is a wonderful assistant....no wait...park hopping partner.

while my eyes are hunting and discovering treasures....lucas' are too.

he pointed this guy out.

we vowed to return....he wanted to investigate the swimming beach next time.

in beauty,

Pamela

day 115...365 project

lucas....

my 14 year old son lucas went with me on a park hopping adventure last week.  he brought along his rollerblades and decided to hit the pavement at a little quicker pace than myself.

he is an extreme sport athlete...and this provided a much "tamer" atmosphere for his rollerblade skills.

and less stress for his mother watching....

i asked him to pose a cool trick for me....

this is what he came up with.

i like that he isn't moving ~~~>

safe

unharmed

no injuries

the mother in me.

he's taking a break.

bless his heart for park hopping with me.

not many 14 year old boys would do it.

i love you for it.

but could you turn around so i can show the world how

handsome you are?

aha!  there you are.

i believe his expression was

"you better not be taking my picture mom"

ummm...

no

just your feet ~*~

and then he rollerbladed off into the sunset...

unharmed

safe

and

annoyed.

but thank you lucas

for loving your mother

enough to

spend your evening with me.

because i know you would

rather be doing

this....

your real

extreme

sport...

skateboarding

with your

friends.

dangerous...

but you are completely

adept

and

skilled

and

a natural.

and i am incredibly

proud of you.

love you.

mom

in beauty,

pamela

day 114.....365 project

dragonfly love...

day 113...365 project

rosa rugosa...

moonlight oasis....

this is my garden space this summer....

it needs a little help

some love

color

and alot of

something~something...

but perfectly perfect

i have never been much of a container gardener....something about growing beauty in pots has eluded my master green thumb.

in the ground? no problem.

in a pot? a problem.

the challenge:  to container garden this summer and to make the above a moonlight oasis.

did i mention on a VERY small budget

AND

a container garden?

(obviously the container part is the challenge)

i better get started...

ohhhhhh!

this looks like a perfect place to start.

mmmmm....color and flowers and dirt and

so many OPTIONS.

i am so excited i can hardly stand it.

the nursery = a gardener's candy store

my selection to start with...

ummm...i have about 2 feet of sunlight to work with...and the rest shade.

my moonlight oasis is in shade.

i have always gardened in full sun and minimal shade.

shade gardening = new adventure

~*~

i am starting with the sun section as it is the BONES of the garden.

note the pond in the background....a built in au natural garden.

i want to make that my focal point.

and...oh i am so happy to have my frog birdbath to look at in my

moonlight oasis.  the frogs here are amazing to listen to at night.

very LOUD and clearing.

they are my favorite gift from the pond.

look at these beauties ~**~*~*~*~

rocks from lake superior's north shore...grand marais to be exact.

a little souvenier from a vacation last summer.

these are going to be my stepping stone path to the pond.

~*~***~*~*~*~*~*~~

to be continued...

in beauty,

Pamela

day 111....365 project

daisies...

race day... ~dancehall roxie~

~roxie~

she is a beautiful creature.

strong

powerful

and

sweet.

it is race day for her...only her 2nd one.

1st at canterbury park.

the grooms are preparing her...

i wonder if she is nervous?

her trainer cody is there for support.

she is ready to enter the paddock.

so beautiful ~*~

lovely

strong

powerful

roxie

mmmmm.....the jockey ready to mount....

with

grace

with

ease

and

roxie

you are ready to

walk to the gate

and

race

i am so nervous and excited for you.

see you at the finish line ~*~*~***~

2nd place

you ran so hard

you are so perfect

 and beautiful

time to be loved

i will see you in the stable

i will bring the mint treats

you love.

in beauty,

Pamela

fishing....

a couple of weeks ago i brought my boys and 2 of their friends to my parent's home for fishing opener...

my dad has all the gear...

what is it about a tackle box?

so many options....

my dad is an excellent grandfather.

he is always very involved in the activites they participate in

while my boys are with him at his home.

he is one of them...

i love that about my dad...he has always retained his child~like nature.

my son lucas (on the right) with his friend...

lucas very rarely allows me to photograph his face....so i go for his shoes....his pride and joy.  anyone who knows my son, knows he has a slight obsession with shoes...he owns more pairs than i do.

he loves shoes.

bottom line.

i love him for it.

zach (right) and his friend.

they look rather annoyed....i assure you they are not.

deep fishing concentration....as in telepathically calling in the fish...

zach...you hold the fishing rod with style...

i am a little distracted by the clouds....

...and my mom's beautiful garden...

her anemonies are just lovely

and

my mother is the reigning geranium queen...she has always found and grown the most beautiful geraniums.

oh...fishing....

while i was away admiring my mom's flowers, zach caught a sunfish.

this was his response when i asked if he would hold up his catch for me to photograph.

there was none.

he smiled and ignored me.

yep...he is 16.

meanwhile...

lucas and his friend found another activity to participate in...

he is driving...

in beauty,

Pamela

day 110...365 project

i love raindrops on the leaves of a lady's mantle...

day 109...365 project.

at the gate....post time

as i spoke of in a previous post....canterbury park has been providing me with a visual playground ~*~***~~

at the gate....post time...

i love the gate.  it involks a feeling of excitement, nervousness, nostalgia, history, fascination and so much more.

the arches on the gates are splendid....so much history behind horseracing....

waiting for the horses as they approach....

loading the gate....

i wonder what conversation goes on between the jockeys during this time?

do they "shop talk"?

are they nervous?

are they excited?

are they concentrating?

hmmmmm...what about the horses?

are they having their own experience also????

on occasion they do not like to enter the gate....and they need a little assistance...

note:  when the horses/jockeys are loading the gates one at a time....the color combinations are fabulous....the decorator in me is jumping for joy :) and my eye is so happy ~*~*~*~*~~

last one in....

waiting for the bell....

in beauty,

Pamela