Random Hallmark Moments: Easter Fun

   In case you've ever wondered what a bunch of middle managers and their vice presidents do at a "day away":

P.S. YES, MOM... I DO ACTUALLY WORK FOR A LIVING!

Weekend Warrior

This Easter Sunday was much like last year's...

Woke up before the crack of dawn

And thought, "I need to tend the lawn."

And thus began my busy day

In the yard with Ak & Tay.

I hoisted ladders, lifted rocks,

gave the dogs their daily walk,

Moved 400 pounds of dirt,

Dug until my back was hurt.

Pulled willow branches from the eaves.

Ate lunch (but just a small reprieve!)

I couldn't take the time to rest--

There was rain in the forecast!

Scooped the poop, planted flowers, 

Used up all the daylight hours.

Dropped stuff in the compost bin.

(I could use a shot of gin!)

Raked, mowed, mulched, seeded,

gutters cleaned, beds weeded,

dogs washed, birds fed—

is it time to go to bed???

Happy Easter, a little late

Sometimes they just don't make it out of my sketchbook

& into my computer in time for the holiday!

Magnolia & cherry time!

Forgive me for the gratuitous number of photos, but I had a lot of favorites this time. Stopped by a school at 74th & Antioch on my way home today, shortly before the thunderstorms began. These were shot at 5:20, long before dark—but check out those ominous clouds! I was afraid that if I didn't make it out today, all the blooms would be gone following the storm.

What I like about these photos is that these trees were in the middle of a parking lot or right next to the school building. It was a challenge to find angles that excluded the pavement, brick building, caution signs, telephone poles & cars. I like that these give you no sense of place; in fact, several people have already asked me if these photos were taken in Japan! I also love the strange light, shadow & color that resulted from the time of day & weather conditions.

Easter at Antioch Park: Cherry blossoms

The cherry blossoms at the park this morning were just too beautiful for words. And all of these photos were from just two trees (one white & one pink), so I can only imagine the experience Madeline is having in Fukuoka, Japan right now! The blossoms are so gorgeous that it's impossible to take a bad photo. And even harder to edit them!

Easter at Antioch Park: Flowers

The daffodils, vinca and hyacinth were beautiful this morning!

Easter at Antioch Park: Trees

The trees are already bursting with buds & blooms and the whole park is full of color. The magnolia trees are magnificent and will be even better in a couple of days....

Easter at Antioch Park: Kelly & me & the shibas

I talked Kelly into going to the park with me this morning for a stroll with the shibas. It was a gorgeous spring day! (We practically had to take 1000 photos to get these few relatively good ones with the dogs. Try competing for their attention against birds, squirrels, leaves, and other people, kids & dogs.)

Easter at Antioch Park: Leviathan

We stopped for a few minutes to lean over the edge of the railing & watch all the little painted turtles sunning themselves. They're so cute with their bright stripes and wide paddle feet. I was watching one swim around and then dive... and it was only then that I noticed the large shadowy ghost of a snapping turtle hovering beneath him! Its shell was fully 2' long. I managed to get one blurry photo before he disappeared deeper into the murky lake. Cool!!!

Easter bunnies from my sketchbook

Happy Easter!

Enjoy some disgustingly-sweet marshmallow candy. Or not. (These have been sitting on the lunch table at work because no one will eat them.)

Happy Easter, everyone!

Please enjoy these frightening photos...

Easter egg hunt on the Plaza

(the spoils of the hunt)

This morning I met up with Madeline & Liza on the Plaza for Three Dog Bakery's annual Easter egg hunt (for dogs). It was our first time...and because I had to wrangle both dogs myself, I didn't get many good photos! But we had a good time & the dogs "found" 30 eggs (they were all over the ground in plain sight, actually), containing tons of treats & a few coupons for even more treats. The dogs had to touch each egg with their nose before you were allowed to pick it up.

Aki: Can we get the eggs yet???

Bruce, the "chick magnet"

Bruce meets the (Newfie) Easter Bunny

Madeline's photos: Aki • lineup  •  and they're off!