Sunday Stills ~ One Tree

I bundled up and headed to the lake this morning, just me and the other crazy people who were either running, biking, walking, ice fishing or, you know, searching for a solitary tree! In addition to enjoying the serene winter lake views, we had another thing in common ~ the brisk wind whipping across the lake was making us all cold!!

unguarded tree

tree is company, no waiting

one, two, tree

an (n)ice spot to fish

 

Thanks for joining us at the lake, and you didn't even have to get cold! See other solitary trees, at Sunday Stills.

making animals into jewelry

At the risk of getting lambasted, I can't help but ask - how do you feel about having your animals ashes made into jewelry??

My co-worker is part of a glass blowing business, and this conversation has come up several times in the past. They keep getting asked to make glass animal ash pendants (and even a human one). They've made a few ash sprinkled pendants, as favors.

On my way home from work, I heard a DJ sponsored commercial (where they talk & talk & talk - and then plug the vendor) about "making your animals into diamonds"  "it only takes 5 cups of ashes" and "costs from $300 up to thousands, depending on the size and color of the ash formed stone"...what's next, furniture? Maybe animal ash furniture already exists. Have you heard of other animal ash created stuff?? If you are looking for a business idea, and working with ash remains doesn't bother you, here's your sign.

I completely understand heartfelt keepsakes, like horse hair jewelry - but wearing ashes? That's kinda like wearing blood in a vial necklace. From someone who just lost a beloved family animal, I think making ashes into jewelery is just plain weird.

Keep in mind a trusted source in a local animal cremation business confirmed ashes are not exclusive, animals are incinerated in groups...so, your getting a mixed scoop of the day. Sad, but true.

Apparently making your animals into jewelry is the new thing...and to that I say, to each there own. If it makes you feel better, go for it.

finding joy in the silver lining

These days still find us working around the resident horses, well - not really the horses, more like the owners. Koda & Nemo are the only ones in the pasture waiting for breakfast in the mornings, however evening feeding continues to present a challenge. Add four hungry resident horses/pony waiting for their humans to put them away and feed, and you get twenty-four moving feet all in the same area. We've tried many different things including feeding in the arena, much like anything, all present there own set of challenges. The horses fully know what is going on, and we've learned to peacefully work things out.

When Mother Nature added her own element (known as winter) we started feeding evening hay on one side on the floor of the shed. Much to my surprise we found joy, especially Koda. He normally mows down his food but instead buries his nose in the hay as deep as he can, and slowwwly munches, strand-by-strand, taking his sweet time...

Koda

...he's got nothing to worry about, while his humans stand guard doing some much needed work with three of the four residents. Nemo enjoys the shed feedings as well, altho he's always on guard. Not from the other horses (he know's we've got that covered) but potentially threatening noises, as he takes it upon himself to protect us all. I love that about him. It's harder for Nemo to see with three enclosed walls, and one composed of humans and horses, blocking his view. With a little convincing, Nemo settles and nuzzles into the hay as well. We have found the silver lining, as we listen to our horses peacefully eat...

Nemo

Sunday Stills ~ Best Shots of 2012

It was so hard to choose...in 2012 I enjoyed shooting photos for Sunday Stills challenges, on various local camera group outings, on the sidelines of our high school football team, of my gardens & nature, and of course of my beloved family & animals:

high school football

church reflections, taken at a camera group outing

my seasonal flowers

son & girlfriend, at the lake

koda, my horse