Every day IS a gift, for sure! Thank you for sharing part of your day with us, friend.
I feel compelled to share a beautiful thing that happened in our family's day today. My husband's younger brother - who is only 42-(at right in the picture-the Kool Aid guy! ha) has been battling liver cancer for over a year. This past week we spent much time at the cancer center making plans, having family meetings, preparing for the end, saying our goodbyes, reminiscing. He told us all the day they sent him home with his Hospice nurse (3 days ago) that he was going to the car races tonight. He and his sweet new wife of only 3 months.
Here he is goofing off with my awesome son Evan....tonight....at those races....where a longtime family friend arranged for them to ride in the pace car. It was one of his last wishes....And I am grateful that he had a burst of strength to be able to go. It is, indeed, good to be alive!
Thank you so much!!!! It means a lot to me, AMac! My Evan is taking it the hardest. He is so sweet and compassionate with such a loving heart. Last night he made some awesome memories with his uncle and I am really grateful for that. The last friend I had that had liver cancer never got out of the hospital to do the things he wanted at the end.
Even days that don't go just as we want them to are still gifts. Even if everything goes wrong or we don't feel well, it is still a gift. So I feel like any day I'm still breathing is a great day!
But then you would have commented, "hey... Yer not foolin' any one by moving that critter closer to the camera!"Any way, I was holding the fish by a number 16 dry fly so I didn't have to handle him too much before putting him back. But my wife and I are headed back to the water in a few minutes so maybe there's another fish pic later today.
Yesterday's fishing was a little better than the day before; I'm guessing that this smallmouth bass is a male since in this part of Pennsylvania, spawning is just about finished and the big females are worn out and don't feed aggressively for several weeks. About 4:00 PM a thunderstorm came through followed by a cold front a stiff wind which slowed the fishing considerably.
I am not complaining because the sunset was great. Here's one that's a few years old but from the same spot I was fishing last evening.
That's very true, Stephi. Even though it hurts like a booger to walk and I hit the walls a dozen times a day or more, then stagger to the point that folks think I'm drunk.....if I can breath and make it to the bathroom, I'm having a wonderful day.
Listen, I think I did give you my phone number, if you need shoulders to cry on, a hug, or a soothing word from a friend, I'm here for you. You are one of the many wonderful folks I've met on here, and I can do no less than to be available for you if you need me.
Today I was having a little Laundry Party in our bedroom and had this little surprise guest on the outside of our window! You could see little oval-shaped indents so I believe she is pregnant! Looked like she ate a pretty good sized mouse, too....
SOOOOOOoooooo.....I was heading outside to see if I could get a closer pic of her when I came upon THIS sweet little visitor! She has been eating the corn and birdseed I have in a bowl there and then sleeps by our bedroom window!!! Another Hug From Heaven!
And thank you tzia62, for both friendship and those beautiful nature images and those unique "framing" techniques you create around many of your photos.
Wonderful sport I managed to hook myself in the ass while learning to fly fish about 40 years ago. Have not doneany Fly fishingin 30 years I would guess. When I lived in up state New York it was a fantastic fly fishing location. Saranac River Little Ausable and many other little wonderful streams. Live in Ohio so not the same.
Never could master fly fishing so I mostly drowned worms and night crawlers. Ct is just loaded with small streams and little ponds where the brookies run. Bass fishing is a big thing there. I always wanted to try my luck when the Shad run was on but never go to do it! This is Campbell Falls in Norfolk and great speckled trout live here.
A Mac.... Guess I could improve on taking pictures somewhat. This could be called "Where's the Snake?" Well the snake was there when I took the picture. Should have gotten a little closer. I don't think this was going to turn out too good later on. Thanks for being my friend A Mac.
This picture was taken last year in a tree close by.
Thanks for friends -- even those I have yet to meet face-to-face.
Thanks to you Mac, for the wonderful photos that you post and for being a friend.
Someday the photo will be you and I with a ''hog''....
I look forward to that my friend.
______________________________________
NOTE: For those not familiar with fishing colloquialisms - a "hog" is a Largemouth Bass -- say about 10 pounds or bigger.
Nah. Golf is not my thing.
But I'm quite pleased you stopped by as I consider you a special friend.
Here he is goofing off with my awesome son Evan....tonight....at those races....where a longtime family friend arranged for them to ride in the pace car. It was one of his last wishes....And I am grateful that he had a burst of strength to be able to go.
It is, indeed, good to be alive! 
Stephi,
Thanks for adding the photo and the very sad family information. It certainly underscores the "EVERY DAY IS A GIFT" way of looking at life.
I wish you and your family well.
Even days that don't go just as we want them to are still gifts. Even if everything goes wrong or we don't feel well, it is still a gift. So I feel like any day I'm still breathing is a great day!
Mac,
Great to see that you are out and having fun! Gotta agree with Mike, put that fish closer to the camera, LOL!
And thank you for being a friend!
Great shot Mac!o longerbeing forced to live off the land, I am a great believer in catch and release, too!
Yesterday's fishing was a little better than the day before; I'm guessing that this smallmouth bass is a male since in this part of Pennsylvania, spawning is just about finished and the big females are worn out and don't feed aggressively for several weeks. About 4:00 PM a thunderstorm came through followed by a cold front a stiff wind which slowed the fishing considerably.
I am not complaining because the sunset was great. Here's one that's a few years old but from the same spot I was fishing last evening.
That's very true, Stephi. Even though it hurts like a booger to walk and I hit the walls a dozen times a day or more, then stagger to the point that folks think I'm drunk.....if I can breath and make it to the bathroom, I'm having a wonderful day.
Listen, I think I did give you my phone number, if you need shoulders to cry on, a hug, or a soothing word from a friend, I'm here for you. You are one of the many wonderful folks I've met on here, and I can do no less than to be available for you if you need me.
Mac, you look a lot like George Carlin in that picture.
I was in the Pocono Mountains this morning and came out to my driveway -- to this girl.
Thanks to you, we just "shared" it with you in our hearts, A MAC! Thank you! It's lovely!
awww....she is beautiful!
Today I was having a little Laundry Party in our bedroom and had this little surprise guest on the outside of our window! You could see little oval-shaped indents so I believe she is pregnant! Looked like she ate a pretty good sized mouse, too....
Great photo, A Mac. I like your Jack Nicholson eyebrow tweak!
SOOOOOOoooooo.....I was heading outside to see if I could get a closer pic of her when I came upon THIS sweet little visitor! She has been eating the corn and birdseed I have in a bowl there and then sleeps by our bedroom window!!! Another Hug From Heaven!
....and you are a LOT cuter than Carlin!
Did she rattle or hiss ? Here in the southwest they usually warn you but not always.
Is my face red!
Thank you, Stephi (although you may be mistaken -- I'll accept the compliment).
Hi Pat,
No rattle and no apparent agitation; her eye looks a little clouded so she may be about to molt and possibly did not get a good look at me.
She did mumble something that sounded like Nicholhisssssssssssssson though.
noooooooope! NOT mistaken!
ask anyone.......
Thanks for sharing your wonderful gift of photography, and thanks for being a good friend!
And thank you tzia62, for both friendship and those beautiful nature images and those unique "framing" techniques you create around many of your photos.
Wonderful sport I managed to hook myself in the ass while learning to fly fish about 40 years ago. Have not doneany Fly fishingin 30 years I would guess. When I lived in up state New York it was a fantastic fly fishing location. Saranac River Little Ausable and many other little wonderful streams. Live in Ohio so not the same.
Never could master fly fishing so I mostly drowned worms and night crawlers. Ct is just loaded with small streams and little ponds where the brookies run. Bass fishing is a big thing there. I always wanted to try my luck when the Shad run was on but never go to do it! This is Campbell Falls in Norfolk and great speckled trout live here.
A Mac.... Guess I could improve on taking pictures somewhat. This could be called "Where's the Snake?" Well the snake was there when I took the picture. Should have gotten a little closer. I don't think this was going to turn out too good later on. Thanks for being my friend A Mac.
This picture was taken last year in a tree close by.
It's my honor and privilege to be your friend.
Great image, tsula!
My Goodness, I do see the snake eyes...remind me not to walk under trees in The Carolina's, looks like a big one...
Thank you my Leotie!!!! I love you friend!!!!!!!!!!!!
I guess I'm late to this, but best headline EVER!
Thank you for the enormous cheer and I'm wishing continued wonderful days for you.