The Little Red Man

 I was so delighted and tickled when I saw this in a parking lot. Someone had put a fashionable hat on a fireplug!

And a very nice hat, too!

Small, red, and always on duty.”

This & That

 I have read on your blogs that many of you have been dealing with high winds. We have been, too. The wind blew me into a pole a couple days ago. And on the way to the grocery store we saw this.

The wind had blown the entire roof off a local garage. Firetrucks were out checking all the wind damage.

Anyway, upon reaching the grocery store, I found that M&M's has several new spring flavors out. I bought a small pack of the lemon.

They are shaped like round balls. I like orange with chocolate, but lemon is altogether another matter. Most of them went in the trash.

The Winds Are Out Of Breath

Closing

 Did you watch any of the Olympics? We love the figure skating. Did you see the closing ceremony? Well, never fear. I have watched it for you and snapped the most stunning moments. Put your feet up and enjoy.

I must say that they excel at chandeliers!

Was there some kind of elephant event that I missed?

Madam Butterfly I believe.

The Eternal Flame being extinguished.

And of course Tara and Johnny. He may be looking more beautiful than her today. Gives me kind of a Geisha/Opera vibe.

Every flutter is a victory when you’re brave enough to fly toward the flame.

Sunday Sunset - Spotted

 They usually happen near sunset. Like rainbows, except they are spots instead of bows. Often you will see one on either side of the sun. Can you see it?

They are called Sun Dogs, but I don't like that name so I call them Sunspots. Because that's what they are. They are caused by ice crystals high up in the air that act like prisms. It is always fun to see one. 

Cold air carves the sunlight into jewels

White Breath On The Mountain

 Yesterday's doctor appointment did not go as planned. As most of you know, we live in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the foot of Afton Mountain. Normally they look like this.

But not yesterday. Fog can come quickly and thickly.

And so it was yesterday. This is what it looks like on the way to the top. Sometimes even worse.

We had to turn around and come back home. Rescheduled the appointment. Back down in town, the fog was thinner and rather pretty.

The mountain hides, but the hush remains.

Off Today With A Funny

 I will be taking another day off of blogging here on this Thursday. I have another doctor appointment out of town. Nothing major. But I WILL leave you with a good laugh hopefully!

Blue Sparks In The Grass

 We saw the first signs of a change in the weather today! Out in the yard, does this all look like just a bunch of dead grass and twigs?

Maybe take a closer look.

Maybe even closer.

Do you see them? Little tiny blue flowers. They are smaller than your pinkie fingernail.

They are called Persian Speedwell. Considered to be a weed. But I love them. Tiny blue buds of cheer.

Persian speedwell: tiny blue lanterns lighting up the lawn.

Blink and you’ll miss it; pause and you’ll fall in love.