Xingfu means happy and blessed in Chinese. Even though 2014, the year I started this blog, was a busy and, at times, difficult year that is the word I thought of for this space. Mama not because I have many children but because I seem to fall into a caregiving role. Sometimes I feel like Mama to the world.
The name XingfuMama means Happy Mama with undertones of being blessed.
What passes for summer here in Seattle hasn’t quite let go, but signs of autumn are starting to show. Today’s dog walk showed signs of the seasons shifting.
The squirrels are active, we had to stop several times to see if they would come down and play…
…alas no. Even Ginger had to sit down after a while of waiting to see.
Even after several minutes the squirrel still didn’t come down, so Ginger finally let me lead her away. Is she stubborn or persistent?
Leaves starting to color shift for the new season:
My garden is still hopeful.
Maybe we’ll see an Indian summer.
For Ragtag’s daily post: autumn
P.S. Is anyone else having problems with WordPress letting you set a featured image?
These are in a park in Shouguang, Shandong Province, China. If you decide to go looking for them they are at a park on the east bank of the Mihe River, north of Shengcheng Jie (one of the main roads into the city). Since they are not very near the river they may still be there (much of the area near the river banks was under construction during my visit last spring). I’ll have to go and seek them out on my next visit.
Welcome to week 37 of the Pull up a Seat Challenge in 2019.
Take a load off and share a favorite perch by linking your post to this one, either with a comment or ping-back. For more detailed directions go to Pull Up a Seat page.
It is always fun to see the variety of ideas.
Continue reading Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2019-Week 37
For Cee’s Flower of the Day and Wordless Wednesday
Last Saturday we went to an art show featuring some watercolor painting by my husband’s very talented uncle. Beside the library where the show was held there was a pea patch garden. I love pea patches.
Even though it was a rather grey, drippy day I wandered about a bit. This patch of artichokes, past the harvest stage, caught my eye. From different angles the flowers* brought to mind roses and waterlilies.
These were processed using various effects in Topaz Studio 2.
*The artichoke we eat is the bud of a large, thistle-like flower. This post shows the artichoke flower we found when we came home from a vacation last year.
Due to participating in the Global #climatestrike, I will post week 37 on Thursday at 6 pm and be approving pingbacks and comments starting on Saturday, September 21.
Priorhouse blog has an interesting post about tulip time, now it is time to plant them in the northern hemisphere for spring color.
In Washington they grow bulbs in Skagit Valley. Occasionally we go up to enjoy the spring color. We took Grandma twice the first year she lived up here, both for the daffodils and tulips.
Two views of a sculpture on the waterfront of Seattle, of Ivar Hagland, a local character who was real and larger than life. Ironically the seagulls in this sculpture are larger than life and Ivar is pretty close to life size. Of course gulls feel bigger than they are when coming at you for left-over french fries.
Welcome to week 36 of the Pull up a Seat Challenge in 2019.
Take a load off and share a favorite perch by linking your post to this one, either with a comment or ping-back. For more detailed directions go to Pull Up a Seat page.
It is always fun to see the variety of ideas.
Continue reading Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2019-Week 36following the bouncing ball across the world
Travel Destinations & Photography
photography, poetry
“If you have the words, there's always a chance that you'll find the way.” ― Seamus Heaney
Places in Australia waiting for your "G'day"
Photos, art - and a little bit of LIT.
Simulcast Blog for Wordpress users
“Go, fly, roam, travel, voyage, explore, journey, discover, adventure.”
Travels in Paradise
Stories to Inspire, Encourage, and Give Hope
i'll be just fine.
Using photos to capture life - Ken Humphreys Photography
Images from here and there.
Illustration Friday challenge, artwork, mixed media, drawings, photo challenges
Exploring Through My Camera Lens
Love life! Sharing and caring!
People, Places, Nature, LIFE!
