Saturday:) Some More Spectacular Skies and Sunsets

“I think of the sky as God’s awesome easel where He paints a spectacular sky every single day.”

~ Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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Today, the sky was cloudy with a chance of pizza. Just kidding. I was thinking of that animated movie, “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.” But, there is a good chance of leftover pizza from last night for my dinner.

My Saturday sky…

A few skies from earlier in the week…

Now this one, tell me if you see the Pterodactyl in the clouds, or is it a Velociraptor? Maybe an Eoraptor, but definitely some kind of Raptor. What do you think? You decide.

See it?

Oh my goodness, the night sky with the pale moon and stars against the midnight blue backdrop. Just WOW!

Masterpieces and magnificence in the sky.

Happy Saturday, my friends. I hope you look up in the sky now and then, pause, and see the awesome painting in the sky.

Tuesday:) Toni’s Time-Lapse Painting a Cake Box

“When you’re done baking your cake or brownies, save the box and make a work of art. Win-win.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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I go through SO many boxes of cake and brownie mixes that somewhere down the line I decided that it was pretty wasteful to just throw them in the recycling bin. They are like free mini-canvases. I’ve shared many a box with artist friends and they’ve come up with some creative ideas too. I hope you watch this video and get some ideas of your own.

It was also a pretty awesome day out today. It’s still hot, but the cloud formations were gorgeous. I sure hope that means some rain is coming. Keep your fingers crossed.

Wednesday:) What Do You See?

“Brushing the clouds away from my eyes, I see clarity in the raindrop and beauty in the first ray of morning sun…

Life is strange and wondrous…” 

― Virginia Alison

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I’ll admit that my head is always in the clouds, and I always see wondrous shapes and figures when I look up. This morning, I saw a beautiful woman, perhaps an angel,  in the clouds. Can you see it? Around the center is the small face, the profile shows the eye, nose, mouth, chin, with a flowing gown draped around her. The wings are off to the left.

What do you see?

Friday:) Friends, Clouds, and Finding Lucky Pennies

“Here’s the thing about luck…you don’t know if it’s good or bad until you have some perspective.” 

― Alice Hoffman

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I have a pretty positive perspective on luck. My luck has been good…yep, mostly good luck. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve had some pretty awful dark days, that’s why I can appreciate my life and the good days. I have been blessed.

After a steamy morning walk, I hurried home, showered and headed off to the square, we were celebrating Karen’s birthday. Four friends sharing a meal, and fine stories.

After lunch, I visited my friends at the Last Gallery, Orison’s, Sweet Spot Bakery, and the Art Studio. Lots of little Stop’s and visits. McKinney is such a great town with he greatest people. 

When I went for my evening walk, I found two lucky pennies and a few potentially dangerous nails in the road. Some new construction means more flat tires. Lucky pennies for me, finding nails, lucky for the folks who might have gotten one in their tire.  I like to think I’m saving my neighbors from danger. (Where’s my cape?)

The thing about all the houses going up as far as the eye can see is, sometimes the eye can’t see the beautiful clouds and skies. But, I still try and capture the moment when I can.

Yep! It was pretty hot out today!!!

At 6 p.m. It felt like 108. And when you’re walking at a pretty fast clip, it feels a lot hotter than that,

Theme Song Thursday:) Clouds

“A compassionate heart radiates rays of beauty that removes the clouds of million hearts.” ― Amit Ray

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The day slithered away. It was a cool and cloudy day in Elgin. I was going a bit stir crazy, being used to going to Zumba, walking, lunches, shopping, and constant running around, usually all in one day, by 5:30 pm, I decided to bundle up and go for a walk on the nice path around Mom’s place. I think it’s almost a 1/4 mi. path or 1/5, not sure. My goal was to get around ten times. I went for fifteen instead. Walking inspires me. It’s my thinking time. Then, I rode the stationary bike for twenty minutes up in the exercise room. 

Today, I was inspired by the beautiful clouds that followed me around as I walked. I even sang a few tunes as I walked. Yep. I sing out loud when no one is around.

I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now

From up and down and still somehow

It’s clouds illusion I recall

I really don’t know clouds at all.

Tuesday:) Today’s Sky~ Things Are Looking Up

“In the sky there are always answers and explanations for everything: every pain, every suffering, joy and confusion.” ― Ishmael Beah

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The sky always has an explanation. I’m not sure what the question is, but there’s an answer if you just look up. The key is to look up. Always look up. 

A few of my views…always looking up…

Sunday Sermon and Some Confused Cumulus Clouds

“To bring up a child in the way he should go, travel that way yourself once in a while.” 

― Josh Billings

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It was a beautiful Sunday and lovely day…finally…here in McKinney. Instead of blistering heat, we had a cool breeze with white fluffy threatening clouds to block the heat of the sun. Everyone was cheery and smiley on the way into 9 o’clock Mass. 

I love to stand at the door with my friend, Mary. We say good morning, shake hands and get a few welcome hugs here and there as we greet all who enter. (Construction for the new sanctuary underway in the background.)

Good Morning. Welcome to St. Gabriel’s.

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Today’s Gospel was about Jesus telling the disciples that households will be divided after His coming. Father’s homily focused on the positive aspect of the family. Instead of being divided on faith and values, he said it is our responsibility as parents, guardians and friends to lead by example. Teach our faith by example. We don’t have to be divided. 

My take on it…You can ram religion down someone’s throat and it will never make them a believer. But, if you live your life guided by your faith, set a good example, then your children, family, or friends will learn and can choose accordingly, willingly, and faithfully.

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Gospel LK 12:49-53
Jesus said to his disciples:

“I have come to set the earth on fire,

and how I wish it were already blazing! 

There is a baptism with which I must be baptized,

and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! 

Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? 

No, I tell you, but rather division. 

From now on a household of five will be divided,

three against two and two against three;

a father will be divided against his son

and a son against his father,

a mother against her daughter

and a daughter against her mother,

a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law

and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

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Now, for the confused cumulus clouds. Friday, when I was over at Towne Creek, it rained like crazy on the east side of town. I came home…no rain, nada, not a drop. Yesterday, it was supposed to rain. Nope! This morning, big white fluffy clouds and dark in the distance, then the sun tried to pop out. The clouds are so confused. Don’t just stand there! Do something already! Isn’t that your job?

Friday:) Flags, Food, and Fluffy Clouds

“The morning sky revealed a brilliant glow of optimism, rebuking the dark and menacing clouds.”

~Toni Armenta Andrukaitis

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“And from the midst of cheerless gloom

I passed to bright unclouded day.” 

― Emily Brontë

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It was Texas hot this morning. The skies were threatening rain, but the sun broke through and won the challenge. It’s always nice to see the sun, but the clouds and rain always mean a slight cool off in temperature. No such luck today. On the other hand, the sky was amazing this morning.

Clouds always impress me with their beauty and fortitude. 

Another impressive sight, flags flapping in the breeze. 

Then, a delicious lunch. I love spinach. It could be that my body craves it because I’m very low on iron, even taking supplements. I could eat spinach every day, and most times I do. 

Throw on an avacado, tomato, some cheese, not to mention a few toasted left over bread sticks from Olive Garden. A meal made in vegetarian heaven. Wait! I’m not even a vegetarian!

Wednesday:) Wispy White Fluffy Clouds

“Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.” ― Rabindranath Tagore, Stray Birds

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With all this rain here in North Texas, we have had our fair share of cloudy days. But, I love clouds. Clouds are an endless palette of glorious grays. A perfect painting in the sky. 

   
    
   
If you can appreciate a cloudy  gloomy day, just think how wonderful a glorious sunny day will be. 

Montage Monday and Menacing Clouds

“Thirty-nine years of my life had passed before I understood that clouds were not my enemy; that they were beautiful, and that I needed them. I suppose this, for me, marked the beginning of wisdom. Life is short.” 
― Iimani David
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When I search for quotes for my daily blog, I find so many that express how I feel or what many people feel. Sometimes I like to write my own original quotes to express my thought for that day. Today, I stumbled upon this quote that really rang true and personally spoke to me. Thirty-nine years living under a cloud, now, marking the beginning of wisdom, and yes life is short. 
It was a dreary cloudy day, with a menacing sky. I went for a walk as the dark clouds rolled in and the lightning flashed in the grey sky. The emergency weather siren went off in the evening, warning people to take shelter. 
“The clouds were not my enemy, they were beautiful, and I needed them.”

  
The skies only got darker, but I kept walking, admiring the the deep rich shades of grey, that is of course, until the flashes of lightning brought me to my senses. Then, I scurried home. 

  
Montage Monday:) A week in a peek.