View From My Front Porch...

March 2012 - Early Spring

Moonlight in the Pines

The other night I went outside and saw the beautiful moon through the pines...

Here is a beautiful rendition of "Georgia on My Mind" by Michael Buble'. Relax and enjoy...

The Daffodils and Red Bud Trees are in Bloom!

"Daffodils" (1804) I wandr'd lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretch'd in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay

In such a jocund company:

I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

By William Wordsworth (1770-1850).

The weather has been so Spring-like that the daffodils and Red Bud Trees are blooming! These don't usually bloom until the end of March or April, so it certainly lifts the spirits in the middle of February. Yes, I miss the snow - the beauty of it and the fun of it...taking a night-time stroll with huge, soft flakes coming down...sledding...skiing. But I also love where I live with the moderate weather and the beauty of the flowers. Spring is breath-taking in Georgia! "Bloom where you are planted"!

Quickie Update

It has been a little difficult getting back into my routine here. I've been tired but I'm glad to be sleeping pretty well at night. I have gone to the gym twice since getting home. I really enjoy dancing with the Zumba class. Yesterday, we learned that a close friend of Nasser's passed away in Iran. Dr. Tashayod was pretty healthy as far as we knew. I guess he had a heart attack then went into a coma (not sure). Nasser would spend time with him while in Iran; they were classmates in medical school so they've known each other a long time. I met him once, right after we got married and made the trip to Iran. This makes 3 deaths in close succession: Homa (Nasser's sister) on 11-29-11; Ben Compani's (our friend and accountant) mother about that same time; and now Nasser's friend just a few days ago. I was thinking that it is very difficult to get old...you have to be brave...but what makes it even worse is that all of your friends and loved ones pass away and it can get very lonely...Elderly people surely do deserve our respect.

Sweet Home...Georgia!

Since I have now re-located to Roswell, Georgia, I decided to have my blog picture reflect that. The picture was taken by another photographer and is a scene of the Chattahoochee River in Winter. The Chattahoochee River is about 1 mile from our home and winds all through Atlanta and the State of Georgia.

We arrived home today around 1:00pm. The drive was long (7-7 1/2 hours) and we did not stop to eat; just a potty and gas break (gasoline, that is!). It was good to get home and the weather is mild (60s and overcast). Somehow, the freezer in the kitchen was left ajar so I have some cleaning up to do - have to assess the damage yet. Too tired to think of that now. Resting and napping this afternoon and will jump in full tilt tomorrow!