Blue heron

blue heron
Originally uploaded by junogle.

At long last, I managed to get a picture of one of the blue herons that populate the creek. This was as close as I could get before it flew away.

Interesting daffodil

Interesting daffodil
Originally uploaded by junogle.

This one sits by itself, a little farther down the hill than all the other flowers, and its coloring is a bit different. Notice the bee hanging on for dear life — it was a windy day!

Blue crocus

Blue crocus
Originally uploaded by junogle.

I love the color on these!

Turtle

Turtle
Originally uploaded by junogle.

Seen on our walk today from a bridge near the house.

Afternoon's work

This:


became this:


Ready for some new spring green!

Bright & sunny

Bright & sunny
Originally uploaded by junogle.

Look what welcomed me when I got home on a cloudy, windy day.

Crocus

Crocus
Originally uploaded by junogle.

The weekend snow didn't get all my flowers!

Cranes

Cranes
Originally uploaded by junogle

This afternoon was like a sandhill crane superhighway — one big flock after another.

Good morning!

geese
Originally uploaded by junogle.

Saw these guys as I was leaving for work today. There's been a pair of geese that nest somewhere near my house ever since I bought it. Actually, it was seeing a pair of geese on the lawn when I first looked at the house that kinda had me sold on it. I like to think it's been the same pair every year, but who knows?

Green!

Green!
Originally uploaded by junogle.

Taken on my drive into work Tuesday morning (I know, I know. At least I don't text and drive.) See how the wheat is starting to green up!

Yardwork

Man, it's nice to be able to say "I'm doing yardwork" again. Today I've been cleaning up the flower beds.

Yes, I am wearing a tank top. I was wearing a long-sleeved shirt when I started out around 10 a.m., but had to change into something cooler within about a half hour!

Buster the cattle dog

Why he's my pet, and not a working dog:

Wow!

I swear this lamb's ear was not there yesterday when I was out looking around my garden. It couldn't have been this big for me to miss, anyway.

Spring!

Not sure
Originally uploaded by junogle.

Lookie what I found when I came home today!

From my mom

My mom started making some decorative windsocks recently. Here's what she left at home for me today:

And here's what she said about it:

Yellow is for a ray of sunshine that you are, daffodils in the spring, your yellow mums in the Fall, for a smiley face, laughter. It is a color that makes me think of you.

Here's a closeup of the beads:

Thanks, mom. I think you're pretty special, too.

Catching up

Wind farm
Originally uploaded by junogle.

I've been a little remiss in keep up with the year in pictures project, but I have been taking photos. So here's a few I've taken lately.

Jan. 28: The wind farm, above, is located in Lincoln and Ellsworth counties in central Kansas. I was driving home from Salina, where the night before I'd gone to see Second City with a friend.


Jan. 31: Buster tries to avoid detection after making a mess with his favorite toy: the newspaper.


Feb.1: And here, just outside the town where I live, is a whole train of brand-new shiny coal cars headed west.

Keep working it

Whoo-hoo! I finally got around to putting new batteries in the scale, and after two months of not being able to weigh myself, found I am just 1 pound above the weight goal I'd set last fall and had hoped to reach by my birthday at the end of the year! That means I also just squeak by into the healthy BMI range for my weight. That's been the real goal.

But it makes me feel pretty good, and I've even set a new weight-loss goal to put me more firmly in the healthy BMI range. I know I can do it, too.

Really, all I have been doing is making sure I get yoga in at least three times a week (following the Yogamazing podcasts, walking and playing with Buster whenever I can, and maybe getting in some walking at the mall when I'm there working and it's slow. I've also cut down on the junk/fast food and watch my portions. I really think it's the yoga, though, that's made the difference. With the podcasts, I can mix up the routines enough that it's not boring, and I can focus on one body area or get in an all-around workout. It does wonders for the attitude, too.

I would like to get in a bit more cardio, though, so I'm going to make an effort to get on the exercise bike a couple times a week, too.

So, yay, me. 2010's off to a great start.

Warm weather day

Warm weather day
Originally uploaded by junogle.

Temps in the 40s-50s today. Made for a busy car wash.

New 'do

haircut.jpg
Originally uploaded by junogle.

I was overdue for some fresh color and a cut, so took care of that today.

Cold!

weather.JPG
Originally uploaded by junogle.

Looking north from where I work. Dangerous wind chills expected through the night.