Why do I blog?

18 years ago I started  'Lavender Dreams blog'.

18 years! When I think of this journey and what it has meant, I feel very sobered and very honored that so many of you started this journey with me and continued on for 18 years. 

And then there are those of you that have just started following my blog this past year. Many of you knew I needed my blog friends these past 12 months, both old and new.

Of course we can go back and look at comments and see how many are not with us any more for one reason or another. But every single person makes an impact. I've shared happy times and sad in the past 18 years. And we have prayed. We've cared and supported each other through it all. And for that I am humbled and very very thankful.

I was encouraged to start my blog by my childhood friend, Lila. And she continues to be an inspiration to me. Thank you Lila! What a difference you've made in my life. I remember telling you I was going to keep my blog private, just share it with a few family and friends. You suggested I open it up to the public. And oh my, what a difference that has made in my life.

Now I have over 1500 followers, over the years I've had close to 100,000 comments and I don't know how many posts I've written or photos I've shared. But it has made my life so much richer. YOU have made my life so much happier! I ended my first post with a promise to Kaila (my friend from the Middleton doll forum who is no longer with us).

"I promise not to post scary BUG pictures, Kaila."

I'll have to admit to breaking that promise. But she would understand and she would love it! 

This is a Robber Fly anyway, so it doesn't count! haha

I had a little drama a few years ago when my blog was shut down HERE and I want to thank my loyal friends who stuck with me during that fiasco. 

I'm going to send a little thank you gift to one of you. Just leave a sweet comment or even a happy face to be entered. I wish I could send you all something special but consider yourself HUGGED and LOVED and so very appreciated.

Thank you for spending time with me on my blog. Thank you for being my blog buddy. Thank you for praying for me.

Thank you for sharing your lives with me for 18 years! 

God bless you all!

Love, Diane 🐝

Undecorating and going back in time!

Downy Woodpecker

Is undecorating even a word?

What's missing?

You know I'm going to tell you so here's what I've done so far....

the silk tree is gone, the whimsical ball hanging over the chair is missing too!

And the biggest change is the heavy comforter. I loved it but I felt the need to lighten things up so I bought a coverlet.

What do you think of going back in time?

I've never been one to dwell on the past but in recent months I've spent time reminiscing.  And you know what I've discovered? I'm still not a fan. I have a lot of good memories but I am realizing more and more that I need to compartmentalize my memories. Even thinking of happy times can make me sad.

But most of you know me well enough to know I love life and appreciate each and every day I'm blessed with. So this week, I undecorated a little and changed things up. 

And that makes me happy!

My view out the back window.

I like to look forward. I like to plan new adventures.

And I love to dream! I'm a dreamer!

Now to go back in time, I'll share some photos of this precious Downy Woodpecker that I took last August. I saw one this week but didn't get a good photo.

Do you ever feel the need to undecorate or change things up around the house?

And for those of you too polite to ask, NO I did not paint my walls green. I think it's just the lighting or reflection from the green grass outside. The walls are still BEIGE! hahaha!

Love Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

 

Sometimes I exaggerate!

 

I kid you not...I have been known to exaggerate or imagine that something is extraordinary when it is not.

But that's just the way I live life. I love to feel excited over every day things. And this is definitely NOT the ordinary sighting!

I watched the courtship dance of a male Northern Mockingbird and I was enthralled!

At first I wasn't sure what this crazy Mockingbird was doing.

But then I saw the female come into view and I knew....

I just knew, he was 'showing off'! 

And I realized I was in the right place at the right time to see something extra ordinary and I would not even have to exaggerate. 

During mating season the male mockingbird performs a courtship dance, leaping into the air while flapping their wings and singing. Can you believe it?

I love the surprises I witness in nature every time I walk down a trail.

And since I couldn't figure out which of these Red bellied Woodpecker photos I liked best, I made a mosaic out of them. 

I saw these beautiful butterfly weeds in full bloom and stopped to marvel yet again.

Have you witnessed something amazing this week? Are you like me? Do you ever exaggerate? 

I remember when I saw this bear and it got bigger in the telling....HERE. hahaha

Southern hugs, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

The Neighborhood Pond at Sunset

 This is one of my favorite times to walk to the neighborhood pond.

Mourning Dove

I'm seeing a trend on my blog lately, the word 'favorite' is showing up a lot.

It's probably because I'm experiencing my 'favorites' again after a year of hard times.

The lighting can be odd at sunset so you never know what your photos will look like until you get back home.

Downhill Ducks

Canada Goose

Goose with the broken wing

Just a few favorite pics after a walk to the pond at sunset.

Magnolia bloom in a cube effect (a fav!)

Do you have a good place to walk near your house?

Try to get out when the sun goes down and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you.

Love, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

The Golf course Parade

 

Are you imagining a home on the golf course?

With Canada Geese parading by?

Even a poor goose with a broken wing?

I've seen Canada Geese on the golf course before but this was the first time I've seen them followed by a flock of Florida Eastern Wild Turkeys.

Pretty fancy golf course with it's own zoo!

A good day to play golf?

Maybe not!!!

I've shown Golf Cart parades before at Christmas time.

And a Golf Cart parade on the 4th of July.

But never a Golf Course parade.

Discovering the real Florida....it's WILD!

Any parades at your house this week?

Love, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

Florida Greeneyes and other oddities

 When you get out in nature you are sure to see oddities!

The Florida Greeneyes really catches your eye! And it is endemic to Florida, meaning it is only found in Florida. 

I saw this Pawpaw plant on this same hike and it was unusual with the red center. Most of them have a pale cream colored center like the petal. I think this is a Wooly Pawpaw.

This hike took place on a section of the Florida Trails that runs through the whole state of Florida. I hike several sections from different trailheads. This trailhead is located on hwy 484 in Ocala.

It's fun to see something odd or unusual!

And imagine my surprise when a vehicle was headed my way on the trail, bearing down on me!

I laughed out loud!

It was a remote control truck and the owner was happy to tell me all about it.

It was so much fun that I was beginning to wonder if I could juggle my backpack, camera, hiking stick and a remote control.

What do you think?

Two red bellied woodpeckers, getting along! 

Enjoy your odd week. Get out there and go WILD!

Love, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!

Life...which trail will you follow?

 

Many of you have followed my blog for close to 20 years now. How time flies and how much can change over the years.

 

But one thing I still cling to is my love of nature and the more 'natural' it is, the more at home I am. 

I started an evening hike at 49th Ave trailhead and was pleasantly surprised at how many people were taking advantage of a 'less hot' evening.

This is the trail I walked on.

And this is the one that 'pulled' me in. 

There are a lot of deer in this area so I was happy to see several on my hike.

This is actually the smallest Buck I have ever seen.

Don't you love his spikes!

They moved into the brush and those are my favorite photos!

They were browsing! 

I waved and took photos of this group of joggers. They were enthusiastic and I loved seeing them enjoying some time together on the Greenway.

It's still too hot to get out much but I can't resist one of those 'trails less traveled'.

Casa Viola News! 

A BIG shout out to Brent for painting my house this week and doing such a fabulous job! I enjoyed having you around and getting to know you better too! THANKS Brent!!!

What's new at your house this week? 

Stay cool, safe and calm!

Hugs, Diane 💜

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE!