♪ Chemistry like apple and cinnamon ♫

♫ Started out so simple and innocent
So simple and innocent, so simple and innocent, so simple and innocent
Chemistry like apple and cinnamon ♪

With the day of Thanksgiving creeping upon us it conjures ideas of gluttony, warm fires, and laughing with family. This is also the time of year where we have a lot of birthdays packed into this same time. My brother Spud and Savannah's birthday is only one day apart. Usually Thanksgiving is around that time and it makes it difficult for them because of it. People forget or get caught up combining those birthdays and holidays.

I understand this completely because my birthday falls very close to Christmas. So I always try to keep birthdays special and focused solely on the celebration of the person. They deserve a day celebrating who they are.

Unfortunately, Spud will be in KY when his birthday comes around but he knows we will be thinking of him. :D


I have more pictures to share from this summer. Another discovery-drive led us to discover this interesting little park tucked away. We didn't get to explore as much as we would have liked due to the mosquitoes being to fierce and a lack of bug spray to defend ourselves.


It felt so private. We were the only people there. There was hardly a sound of other people being around.


A spring bubbled up from the ground and then spilled down a small waterfall. It smelled so wonderfully crisp and clean.


A large tree's hole was filled in. I thought this was an interesting way of protecting the tree.


Steam from the lake rose eerily and slowly moved in the wind.


Still being summer; the flowers and plants were flourishing. A storm had recently picked up their spirits and brightened all of the colors.


A dead tree out in the lake was a strange juxtaposition to all of the thriving, living things surrounding it.


The feeling in the air was quite haunting.


We were losing light but it didn't stop us from trying to at least explore as much as we can before retreating from the mosquito hoards.


A drinking fountain must have been tapped into the spring close by. The water tasted so fresh and clean.


I'm trying to get plans all set for Thanksgiving and Savannah's birthday. I'm trying to hash things together and make them come to fruition.

Sadly, today I'm lacking in the energy department. I'm having a difficult time motivating myself to do much of anything. I'm currently heating water for tea but I'm hoping this will provide a pick-me-up.

♪ How they dance in the courtyard,

sweet summer sweat.
Some dance to remember, some dance to forget. ♫

I want to be able to share music with you ever day that I blog. I'm having a hard time finding a reliable site to use. Ah well. I'll find something even if I have to host them myself.

More pictures from our wanderings...


"We may run, walk, stumble, drive, or fly, but let us never lost sight of the reason for the journey, or miss a chance to see a rainbow on the way." -Gloria Gaither











“I haven't a clue as to how my story will end. But that's all right. When you set out on a journey and night covers the road, you don't conclude the road has vanished. And how else could we discover the stars?”

Oh, a rinky dinky, dinky.

When I was younger, now not too much younger though, I used to watch all the 'Disney Sing-A-Long Songs' videos. I still, to this day, remember all the songs because of how many times I watched them. In fact, I do believe I wore out a lot of those tapes. The songs will trigger something in me and I can't help the songs coming out of my mouth!

The video above was one of the songs that I used to love to sing. In all honesty, I didn't like the style Disney had for that time frame. The animation was too rough-draft looking and dirty feeling. I love the movies like Jungle Book through the Rescuers but I honestly was bothered by the unclean lines. Not only that, I found many, many times where they were, perhaps, lazy and reused animation frames. You'll see it in The Jungle Book and Winnie the Pooh.


You will see it often in fact!

I'm not sure why they thought this was acceptable!? I know it was cheaper and it saved time but I guess that's the whole rushed, unfinished look that bothers me.

You can see why Disney during that time went through a big depression and the studios almost shut down. It was thanks to Oliver and Company but mostly because of The Little Mermaid that they were pulled out of that dark abyss.

I love cartoons! I love animated movies and would still go see them in theaters even if I didn't have a kid. That's one part of me that you could see that is the kid in me. Still, isn't it mature to admit that you can be an adult and still enjoy things that, even though they are geared at kids, bring you happiness?

I still draw fanart for cartoons long gone. In fact, looking at my DeviantArt Account you can clearly see that. I haven't had much time this year to draw as much as I would like to. I know once it starts getting colder; I will be on track with that again.

So, in the meantime, I will post pictures of my life because it makes me happy.


During the summer one of our favorite things is to drive and explore new areas. We will purposely get lost because you never know what you will find. Here is what looks to be the Bee Balm flower.


One of my favorite trees, besides the mighty Oak, is the Weeping Willow. Growing up, my grandmother lived by a lake; by her house was a giant Willow who's branches would sway in the wind making the most beautiful sound. I would tangle myself up in her branches and pretend I was hidden while feeling "one" with the tree. It's branches were so long that they would soak into the water below like fingers playing in the waves.

This picture was taken while we were going 60mph. Haha.


Summer wasn't complete without the arrival of the Red Winged Blackbird. Their trill song makes me smile and feel like things are right in the world because it's truly summer. They are such an expressive bird and so much fun to watch as they try to attract a potential mate.


Cold, sterile, granary storage units await a train to unload it's feed; it was a big contrast to the warm summery feel in the air that night.


The setting sun played with the wispy clouds leaving a beautiful painting in the sky. It set the mood for excellent pictures.


Ponds, in the middle of corn fields, made for great reflective mirrors to enhance the sky's beauty.


Wisconsin is known for a few things. Barns scattered throughout the country, many in disrepair, house dairy cows. It give's fodder to the joke "Smell the fresh Dairy Air"; playing on the word derrière. ;)


Time seems to go quickly on these drives, not that I mind! The winter is fun to drive too but sometimes it's too dangerous. So, summer time will continue to be my favorite driving season.

But, give me a good thunderstorm and that makes for one beautiful ride too.