Photo #315/365: Shopping at Barnes and Noble

On Sunday, Jacci and I took a trip to Barnes and Noble.  She was in search of gluten free, vegetarian cookbooks, but there were lots of other temptations as well.  We hadn't been there in a long time.  It was a great afternoon.

Photo #101: Sparrows

After looking at this picture, you're probably thinking that I spent the day in the out-of-doors. Actually I was sitting by the window in the cafe at Barnes and Noble, when I took this shot. I bought a copy of the "National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Birds of North America". This fellow appears to be an American Tree Sparrow or Spizella arborea. I had no idea there were so many different kinds of sparrows until I looked at this book.

I really enjoy watching birds, and it got me to thinking about putting out my birdfeeders again, and moving them to a place that I can more easily observe my feathered visitors. Summer and Jill gave me a hummingbird feeder for Christmas, and I also need to find a place for that.

It's been a very nice weekend. The weather has been beautiful. I've been cooking up a storm, so I should eat better this week, instead of eating out so much. I've done some school work, but not nearly as much as I should have. There are still many things on my "to do" list that I probably will not get to, but I'm okay with that. I'm going to enjoy what is left of the weekend, and prepare for another busy week.

Photo #80: Jacci and Mom

I spent time this afternoon hanging out with my mom and my sister at . . . where else, but Barnes and Noble. Jacci and I have been making it a habit to go there on Sunday afternoons, but it was nice to have Mom along too. Mom spends her winters in Arizona. She had not planned to return to Iowa until the end of April. She came home to bury her companion, Loren.

We have had a lot of losses in our family during the past three years. We lost both of my brothers within five months of each other. My brother, Steve, died of cancer two years ago on March 24th, which is also my sister's birthday. My brother, Dan, died unexpectedly the October before.

If you are smart, grief teaches you to treasure the people you love. It certainly has taught me that. I am so glad to have my mom and my sister. I appreciate every minute we have together.

Photo #66: Grande Mocha Frappucino

I love Sunday afternoons at Barnes and Noble. Meeting my sister there on Sunday afternoons has become a wonderful routine. Today Jacci went to study, and I went with the intent of writing my blog post for my other blog, Prospecting for Treasure. Having a Grande Mocha Frappacino to sip on while I work makes it even better.

Photo #56: Cowboy Boot

I had dinner at Bandana's Barbecue tonight. I was looking around for something to photograph, since I hadn't taken my pic for the day, when I saw this boot. I really like the rich redish brown leather, the textures, and curve of the boot.

I hadn't origianally planned on eating out, but I had to drive out to Barnes and Noble to pick up two copies of Anne of Avonlea to read with a student. That didn't turn out very well, because the two books they were holding for me, turned out to be abridged versions. This is for a student who is reading several years above grade level. I was a little discouraged that the trip was a washout, when Banadana's caught my eye. This is southern barbeque, so meat is prepared with a dry rub and smoked. I only know this because the server told me so. The thing I do know is it was delicious!