My Pal

Portrait of Pal

(4 pictures.) Pal has been my friend for nearly nine years. We first bonded as I held him close on the car ride home. My brother and I got Pal from a breeder, but we say we rescued him from less than perfect conditions. With his blue eye, he would never have been a show dog, but we didn’t care. Turns out, Pal has had to take medicine for seizures since he was a pup. He is a trooper and just carries on his merry way. He is a sweet boy, and he loves to play, eat, and sit on your lap!

Pal is a curious basset hound and follows his nose. We have to watch to make sure that he could never accidentally wander away on a mission to follow a scent or chase a butterfly!

Pal On The Move

Pal is smart and knows a lot of commands when he is paying attention. It’s certainly easy to get his attention with food!

Sit and Shake Pal

Pal loves to be near his people. When he gazes at you with his pretty eyes, or rests his slobbery chin on your lap, you know you are loved!

Pal is a Good Boy

Pal is a good friend and part of the family!

*posted for the daily post weekly photo challenge: friend

Even Familiar Roads

Eastern Phoebe in the Park

(4 photos) I often take a walk in the park. The road taken to the park is not new to me. The pathway around the park is not new to me.

Of course, I am always looking for birds. This weekend, on a walk in the park, I saw an Eastern Phoebe bird for the first time! Yes, this was exciting to me! Even though many people already know of this bird, it felt like a new discovery to me. Sometimes, even the familiar road, often taken, will offer a surprise!

Today, I had the pleasure of seeing and photographing four kinds of birds. The Eastern Phoebe, pictured above, is a flycatcher and I watched it swoop low to the ground to catch bugs in mid flight!

I also watched a White-Breasted Nuthatch, upside down, pecking and posing in a tree.

Nuthatch in the Park

The park is a haven for bluebirds with bluebird boxes spaced all around. This Eastern Bluebird perched prettily on a branch.

Bluebird in the Park

And, I got to see, and hear, this sweet song sparrow! It was singing its little heart out!

Song Sparrow in the Park

These little birds, so vivid and distinctive from one another, are amazing and fill me with wonder. I just want to take pictures of them all! It’s a good thing that I know which road to take to find them!

daily post weekly photo challenge: the road taken
and daily prompt: vivid

Graceful Flight

Graceful

There is little more graceful than a bird in flight. Soaring, gliding, owning the sky.

*posted in response to the daily post weekly photo challenge: graceful
This week, we are challenged to show something that exists harmoniously with its surroundings!

Quiet Ambience

Earth tones, sun and shade create a calming ambience. I can sense the quiet, and I can feel the warm air on my face as I remember a peaceful walk in the park.

*posted for the daily post weekly photo challenge: ambience

Signature Snow

SNOW

The snow earlier today was sparse, but it was enough to stick. And it was enough for me to write its name on the trunk of my car. I couldn’t resist adding the smiley face sun. I probably would have added more doodles, or signed my name, but I had to get my groceries out of the trunk, and into my house! Like so many other people, I had joined the supermarket frenzy that always happens when snow is called for!

It isn’t snowing now, but more snowfall is on the way according to the forecast. Thankfully, it isn’t supposed to be too big, maybe 3-5 inches total. Still, you never know…

*posted in response to the daily post weekly photo challenge –names

Resilient Tabby

Look!

Look at my sweet Stripey’s eyes!

Not too long ago, I noticed that my cat didn’t seem to be able to see the way he usually did. I wondered if he had suddenly lost his sight because of a kitty stroke. I hoped it would get better, but soon he couldn’t see at all and I called his vet.

Poor little Stripey was resilient. He just walked slowly and close to the walls and found his way around my house. He could find his food, water and litter box from memory. I made sure not to move anything around so as not to confuse him. It was hard to guide him because, at 18 years old, Stripey’s hearing was already diminished. If I pounded on the floor and called his name, he would sometimes turn toward the vibration. I tried not to startle him, but still tried to comfort him by sitting near. He would sit close and even sit on my lap. The saddest thing was that he couldn’t look at me! I really missed the eye contact. His pupils stayed dark and large. My heart was breaking for him, but he just carried on and adapted.

By the time of Stripey’s vet appointment, I had been already been trying to find answers by googling his symptoms. Turns out that a cat can go blind from detached retinas if his blood pressure is too high. I read that there was a possibility of restored vision if blood pressure medication was started soon enough.

The mobile vet confirmed that my cat’s blood pressure was too high. He was started on blood pressure medicine. But, I wondered, was it in time? Another week later, he still couldn’t see, and while his blood pressure was better, it was still too high. So, the vet increased his medicine dosage, which did improve his vital measurements. I was cautiously hopeful.

I prayed and prayed for a miracle. I thought he seemed to be seeing a little, but wondered if it was my imagination. I kept praying. I gave him his medicine every day by applying a compounded cream on the tip of his inner ear. I prayed that with lowered blood pressure, the fluid behind his eyes would go away so that his retinas could reattach. I worried that it was too late. I prayed some more.

One day, I was holding Stripey on my lap and I noticed his eyes. The pupils were constricting in the light! I excitedly took this picture to document the moment I knew he could see light.

I started to notice that Stripey wasn’t hugging the walls when he walked through my rooms. He moved a little faster. And, one day, he looked up into my eyes and I knew he saw me! My prayers were answered! I was so happy! After five weeks, my beloved Stripey could see again.

So, keep this in mind, especially if your cat has a sudden change in vision, and make sure to see your vet. I had no idea that a cat could have high blood pressure and need blood pressure medicine. Did you?

*posted for the daily post weekly photo challenge: resilient

Along the Peaceful Path

Path

Here is a literal view of a park path that I often take. I like to walk in the park on weekends. It’s an easy walk. I just stroll and take in all the sights and sounds of nature. The birds chirp and the creek babbles. The foliage along the creek changes according to the seasons. On the day of this photo, I was surprised to see pretty woodland sunflowers along the path. They seemed to have bloomed without notice and seemed like a gift!

Wild Woodland Sunflowers

I stay on the lookout for peaceful paths all year, paths removed from the tiring pace and common stresses of the world. I keep coming back to this same path. While it’s familiarity gives me comfort, I can also be pleasantly surprised to spot new birds and flowers along the way. Obviously, I like to take my camera along and take pictures of the sights.

Robin above the Creek

This year, I discovered the real joy of birdwatching. I never understood the appeal until I took the time to notice all the special details (which continue to amaze me) of the different birds that I saw! I took lots of bird pictures, in the park and in my backyard, and shared some on my blog. You can click on the birds header at the top of the page to see pictures. I still have more to post when I get a chance. And, I plan to stay a birder in 2017. Birdwatching has been added to my list of interests, along with nature strolls, photography and blogging!

I hope to develop new interests in 2017 that bring me peace and joy! Positive suggestions welcome! Happy 2017!

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Posted for the daily post weekly photo challenge:
Path

Growing Anticipation

Growing

Anticipation Haiku (Growing)

A redbud sapling
Grows in anticipation
Of maturity

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Posted for the daily post weekly photo challenge: anticipation

Bespoke-Beespeak

***Her blog bespoke of her appreciation of the simple things in life.***

When I saw that bespoke was the daily prompt, I had to respond since my blog is called the beespeak! I hope that my appreciation of the simple things in life is evident when you look at my blog posts, many of which feature nature photographs. Of course, simple is a relative term, right? While simple in comparison to more fancy, expensive things, it is undeniable that trees and creeks and birds and flowers are exquisite in their beauty.

These simple rough woodland sunflowers, reaching toward the sky, made me happy. And it made me smile to see the little bee buzzing around them!

What simple things make you happy?

#beehappy
#beeappreciative

Horizon Promise

Horizon

Photo, Haiku and Commentary

Horizon Haiku (Connected)

The earth meets the sky
A promise in the distance
We are connected

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As we move toward the new year, I am learning to recognize the depth of my connections.

I am connected to God through His love and grace. I am connected to my family, and that includes my pets. I am connected to my friends, and that includes blogger buddies. I am connected to my co-workers. I am connected to my neighbors and community. I am connected to the human race, persons near and far, on earth and in heaven. I am connected to nature. I am connected to myself, including my physical senses, inner thoughts and emotions.

The surface connections are easy to see. It is the deeper layers of connection that are on my mind. How does it all work together? Can growing in appreciation of all these complex bonds make me more grounded, understanding, optimistic, peaceful, loving, and kind? Can it make me a better human, friend, sister, and child of God? I think it can. I believe it will.

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#Beconnected, #Beeconnected

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Posted in response to the daily post weekly photo challenge:
New Horizon