Nurturing Thursday
The Answer is Blowin’ in the Wind
I have found the news of the last few days terribly depressing. The hate, the unrest, the deaths, hard as I try to block out the goings on in the political arena in the United States, it is hard to ignore the violence that keeps erupting. My friend, a musician, shared a post of herself on Instagram, playing the piano, her written words meaningful. I am sharing her post here. I hope our world can find its way back eventually to kinder place.
FOTD: October 30
Flower of the Day for Cee’s challenge. I found this flower to be so beautiful, seen at Wave Hill in Riverdale, NY
Sunday Stills: Orange
FOTD: October 29, 2018 :Autumn Leaves
Women Empowering Women
I spent Sunday afternoon at one of my favorite parks/garden- Wave Hill in Riverdale, NY. It was overcast and a bit gray, and pretty chilly, but it never seems to matter as the surroundings are so beautiful. The resident Mockingbird greeted me as he always does
I walked the grounds enjoying seeing the many berries blooming now, most of the summer flowers gone. Mr. Mockingbird likes them too.
As I was strolling along, a young woman approached me and asked if I would take a photo of her and the group of women she was with. I was happy to oblige, and asked who the group was. She told me they are “Ladies of Vision”. The group was borne from one of the women starting a vision board. A vision board is a tool used to help clarify, concentrate and maintain focus on a specific life goal. Literally, a vision board is any sort of board on which you display images that represent whatever you want to be, do or have in your life. From this initial idea, these women have come together to support, help, uplift and encourage one another, in one others visions, helping to reach their goals. Some act as “accountability partners” – a person who coaches another person in terms of helping the other person keep a commitment. They are from many different areas, NY, Yonkers, Rhode Island, South Carolina, some having met while in college and then bringing others in to join. They are pursuing careers in Law, Education, Social Work, some working towards their Phd’s. The oldest woman is in the group is 42. Women supporting women, empowering one another, guiding and caring. There for each other and enjoying seeing one another succeed.
Personally, it was only when I was in my 50’s that I felt a kinship with a group of women, who I felt I could share with and knew they would be supportive. I believe young women today are more in tune with one another then years ago. Women have realized the importance of standing together, of bonding. It was heartwarming to see this group together, knowing that together they can accomplish, and make a difference in each others lives. 
Walktober By Car
Robin at Breezes at Dawn created a Walktober share, where one can share a walk with the rest of us. This month has gotten away from me, but today I needed to run an errand a little North of where I live and decided to share my drive, rather than walk, on this last day of the share. Here’s what I saw.
The trees are beginning to show a hint of color along the highway
I love the new digital signs that let the drivers know how long it will take to reach certain destinations up ahead 
Color along the road after I exited the highway
Halloween is coming
The shock of the day came as I was driving down the road and a large bird swooped in front of the car- almost grazing the hood. I turned to see where it landed and saw this: 
Turkey Vultures. I stopped the car, which spooked them, and they flew across the street and landed on a house. It looked like something out of a Hitchcock movie. They are in the tree too.
They were feasting on the remains of a deer, and had cleaned the carcass so thoroughly I could see the entire rib cage. It was more astounding than gruesome.
Then I hit the highway and headed home
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Tuesday Photo Challenge: Surprise
I have posted these before, but feel they were perfect for Frank’s challenge this week.
I looked up at a tree that holds a nesting box and stood there for a moment
Oh- what a surprise, this little fellow was living in there and peeked out to say hello
I guess he felt I posed no threat, so came into full view
Then quite to my surprise – another head appeared!
I literally laughed out loud seeing them both there. A wonderful surprise!
Cee’s B&W Photo Challenge: Tongues and Tails
October Photo A Day Challenge: Pumpkins
In case you missed my post with the wonderful pumpkins I saw at the New York Botanical Gardens, here they are again
October Photo A Day Challenge: Yellows of Autumn
Cee’s Flower Of The Day
October Photo A Day Challenge: Breakfast
A few years ago we stayed at a wonderful Bed and Breakfast in New Paltz, New York. It was small, just 4 rooms, and the owners were a husband a wife.
In the morning, a note appeared under our door.
I opened the door to find this
and this! (We supplied our own bread as I am gluten intolerant)
Wordless Wednesday
The Lookout
Sunday was VERY windy and cold, but the sun was shining so we decided to take a drive. We headed to a “lookout” along the Palisades in NJ, not too far from home, that overlooks the Hudson River. When we arrived this is what we saw:
I approached the crowd and inquired as to what everyone was looking for. Unbeknownst to me it is “Raptor Season” and the Alpine Lookout is the place to be for bird enthusiasts to catch a glimpse of the Raptors as they return to the area. Raptors, or  Birds of Prey,  include species of bird that primarily hunt and feed on vertebrates that are large relative to the hunter. They have keen eyesight for detecting food at a distance or during flight, strong feet equipped with talons for grasping or killing prey, and powerful, curved beaks for tearing flesh. The term raptor is derived from the Latin word rapere, meaning to seize or take by force. Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, Owls and Vultures are Raptors.
Earlier in the day a Golden Eagle had been spotted, and many Red Tail Hawks and Coopers Hawks. I looked around at the crowd and their camera gear, and felt a little foolish with my little Nikon with its 42X wide optical zoom. Just as I was thinking it, my husband asked me how I felt being surrounded by all these gigantic cameras and lenses. We started to laugh and then asked 2 of the guys if they would pose for a photo with me and my camera and them and theirs. My husband (the non photographer) took our photo with my cell phone.
The view from the lookout allowed us views up and down the Hudson River, and endless sky.
Looking South
Looking North
We decided to walk along a path that abutted the rocks of the cliffs, when I spotted a Turkey Vulture flying near the cliffs. I couldn’t believe how close he was, but was only able to capture one shot clearly. It was still thrilling to see him swoop and glide so close to where I was standing. He was enormous. A Turkey Vultures wingspan is 6 feet! (182.88cm)
This is his back as he turned
Then it was into the cafe for a coffee and a warm up!
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Steps: Indoors or Outdoors
A Photo A Week Challenge: Through Glass
I am taking a bit of creative leeway with Nancy’s prompt this week. Who remembers the old view finders from the 1950’s? Keepsake keychains. This one is from a hotel in New York’s Catskill region. Look through the little hole and inside you will find a photo that the hotel took of your family during your stay there. This one contains a photo of my husband and his mother and stepfather.
Weekly Prompts Photo Challenge: Supernatural
‘There is something about fog that brings to mind the supernatural. One can’t see within it, so doesn’t know what may be there, or beyond it.
October Photo A Day Challenge: Starts with Letter U
Under
Nurturing Thursday
Weekly Photo Challenge: Things in a Row
Share Your World
What’s the biggest screw up in the kitchen that you were responsible for?
I can’t say anything comes to mind…. I’m a pretty good cook and used to do a lot of baking, but never had any major screw ups. Biggest mistake I made once was taking the boneless turkey breast out of the oven and leaving it too close to the edge of the counter so that when I turned my back the dog was able to pull it off the counter. I turned around in horror seeing the juices/grease all over the floor and the turkey breast firmly in the grip of the dog’s jaw. My fault, and how could I get mad when he was this cute?
What, in your opinion, makes people believe absurd conspiracy theories?
They’re idiots?
In 40 years what will people be nostalgic for?
The Earth. Nature. Conversation. A slower pace of life.
Is a hot dog a sandwich?
If a hot dog is on a bun it’s not a sandwich. A sandwich is a sandwich because it is made with 2 slices of bread- at least that’s how I see it.
What wonderful thing happened to you this week that you’d like to share? It can be a gratitude moment or something that just made you feel very happy at the time or made you laugh.
Visiting my Aunt- I wrote about the visit HERE
Wordless Wednesday
A Day In The Life 
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