Bipolar Wyoming

This was our back yard about 6:30 this morning...

And this was our backyard this afternoon.

Notice the same little tree from the above photos is

also seen in this next photo.

Later in the afternoon, Cordelia asked that we have snacks out on our deck.

I asked what she was doing in this photo and she said she was putting

her hand as she would for the Pledge of Allegiance.

She may have the pledge a bit confused with prayer, 

but it was sweet anyway.

After Sunday Supper...

wet hair

spaghetti faces

dancing

twirling

thinking

hugging

laughing

sunshine

shadows

Grandpa

dandelions

strolling

crab apples

dogs

snuggles

breezy

love

Wyoming in the Spotlight

Last night, a little after 7:00 p.m., I glanced out the window and everything looked kind of lit up. I went out on the deck and could see that it was raining, but in between the rain clouds there was bright sunshine peeking through. It was hitting the tops of the trees about a block over. These photos don't really do it justice but you can kind of see how they were being spotlighted.

Then, I looked to one side and I saw part of a rainbow through the trees. Can you see it? It wasn't there very long but it was just so unexpected. Remember, we were buried in snow earlier this week. It was like a gift and it seemed to color the whole sky.

When I looked the other direction I was treated with beautiful lighting on the mountain. It was so bright and crisp! Moments after I took this photo the clouds moved and the scene dulled. I felt so grateful for that I'd walked out onto our deck, in the rain, at just the right time to enjoy show.

"For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land." (Psalm 95:3-5)

Talking About the Weather

On my post a few days ago Elizabeth said we were lucky because our weather was more Spring-like than her's. Well, those photos were taken late Sunday afternoon. Below are some photos from Monday. I think even the weatherman was taken by surprise!

Wyoming has a saying, "If you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes and it will change." Actually, I've heard this saying in several of the states where we've lived. It was true in Montana and Minnesota... not quite so much in New Mexico. 

When we lived in the Seattle area I saw a slogan that was so true it made me laugh...

"Seattle Rain Festival - Jan 1 through Dec 31"

Do you have any funny and/or true weather sayings where you live? 

Sunshine & Shadows

Late yesterday afternoon I sat down in the recliner with a bag of yarn and my crochet hook.  The sun was hanging low and pouring in the window, shining in my eyes so that I couldn't even do my work.  I got up to close the drapes and then came to my senses. Instead, I grabbed my camera and went out to better appreciate the last of the day.  It was so lovely out, I decided to just share some of that beauty here with you.  I hope it makes you feel as happy as it did me.

Sunshine on My Shoulders Made Me Happy!

As I mentioned, Mike and I just returned from a trip to Arizona.  I took lots of cool photos as that Arizona sunshine makes for some great light!

The first few days of our trip were spent in a church at a workshop.  It was such a good workshop!  It deserves its own post so I will save that for next week.  Today, it's about the Arizona sunshine!

After the workshop days we spent time with my mother-in-law, Carol.  She's a funny lady.  She always begins a visit by warning us that she doesn't cook many meals any more and there may be slim-pickin's.  Then, she feeds us and feeds us and feeds us!  After a hearty meal she may say something like, "I don't really have any dessert."  Then, she'll bring out cookies or candies or something.  On the nights that she DOES have dessert, it is cake or pie or ice cream and fruit or any combination of those items.  OK, relatives who read this blog, you know that's true, huh?  I always return with a few extra pounds on me!

Seriously, I have been blessed with a very generous mother-in-law.  She loves her family and always goes above and beyond to make everyone feel special.  One of my favorite things about her is that she CHOOSES to experience joy.  She has endured more than her share of grief and we'd all understand if she wanted to indulge in a bit of self-pity, but that just isn't her style.  She told me that would just make things harder on her and those around her.  She chooses joy.  There is a good lesson in that, don't you think?

So, where are all the sunshine pictures, you ask?  Those of you who live in a cold climate know what a treat it is to be warmed up a bit in the middle of Winter.  I'd like to share some of that warm feeling with you now...

Do you remember when television shows ended with hints about next week's program?  Do any of the shows do those little teasers anymore?  Anyway, I'm going to.  Besides a post about the wonderful workshop we attended, I'm going to do a post about the day I found evidence of an angel at the window.  Intrigued?  Well then, tune in next week!

 
Thank-you for stopping by. Feel free to use my photos but please link them back to my blog. I am honored if you wish to share content of any of my posts on Facebook, Twitter, etc. as long as it is linked back to my blog.

Today's Lesson - Vitamin D

A few weeks ago I went in for my yearly physical.  Instead of my general practitioner, this year I saw a nurse practitioner that I know from church.  I'm glad I did!  Besides the usual labs to check cholesterol, thyroid and such, she asked if she could check my Vitamin D levels.  I saw no harm in that.  I didn't expect there to be any problem, though.

I was wrong!  It turns out that I  am low in Vitamin D.  When I got that phone call I went online to refresh my memory on what I knew about Vitamin D.  I found a lot of new information on Vitamin D, including a lot of articles suggesting that daily requirements may be much more than once believed.  My friend put me on a recovery treatment of some pretty high doses of Vitamin D for 7 days of each of the next 5 months, with moderately high doses on the other days of those 5 months.  Of course I checked on these doses at reputable sites online to be sure this was acceptable treatment.  Because Vitamin D is fat soluble, there is danger in overdosing.  The treatment she put me on is called shock treatment, but it is considered appropriate for my levels.

I was surprised to learn that Crohn's Disease is a risk factor for having low Vitamin D levels.  That could explain my situation,  of course.  I was also surprised to learn that low Vitamin D levels are very, very common for people who live in the colder regions.  It makes sense.  Sunshine is one requirement for producing your own Vitamin D.  When it is cold, even if we do go outside, we cover up most of our skin.

Most of us know that Vitamin D helps us build strong bones but I did not know that it plays a role in our immune system.  Low levels are also associated with some cancers, irritability, depression, autoimmune diseases, high blood pressure, fatigue and other disorders.  My little internet research was quite enlightening!  If you want to learn more I'd suggest sites such as Mayo Clinic or Center for Disease Control.

I am telling you all this because yesterday I felt more energetic than I have in about 18 months!  Awhile back I'd asked Mike if he remembered the old me, the woman who flitted around the house doing stuff all the time.  Yesterday, I saw that woman again!  Maybe it was a just a good day, or maybe it was that I am catching up on Vitamin D.  At any rate, since I learned this is a common issue, I thought I'd just share a little lesson on Vitamin D today.  

Thanks for coming to class!

disclaimer:  I am NOT a doctor.  See your own medical professional if you think you are low in Vitamin D.