Optical Illusions

Optical Illusions have always been an inspiration to me. I am awed by the skill an artist has. They can make something FLAT appear to have texture, form and beauty. Here are some pictures sent to me by a friend, Juliene. You may have seen them before but if you have not I hope you will marvel at them the way I have. There is real art and beauty in these BIG trucks.

Here are 7 pictures of European trucks whose trailers are decorated to look like the sides are missing. The products they are hauling are painted on the outside, side and back, but it looks as if you are looking at the interior of the trailer.

The first one is of a beer bottle and looks so real. It looks as if the bottle is coming out the side of the bottle

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Here is a canvas tote bag.

The Pepsi cases look as if they are stacked on the ceiling

Here is another truck with the windshield faceing the back, a drived painted in the drivers seat looking back over his shoulder to appear as if he is diving backwards. (How this one is just palin scary, even when the German reads, "On the wrong way?"

Here is an aquarium with fish in it.

This one is of a bookshelf with books lined up in it and a post-it-note with an advertisement on it with the advertisement for the book supplier no doubt.

Finally, here is the ad for Pringles Hot and Spicy. The "inside" of the trailer has the appearance of having been through a fire.

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This gift was sent to me with this Chinese proverb attached. "When someone shares something of value with you and you benefit from it, you have the moral obligation to share it with others. " Of course, we all have different thoughts on the value of things. I have placed a relatively high value on this gift from Juliene. It was entertaining. It is artful. It means that she was thinking about me, because she knew I would enjoy it. So, each of you that see this, please enjoy. I'm wishing you a grand day, for I place a great deal of value on each and everyone of you!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!!

Praise God!

Today I have much to praise the good Lord for. This weekend was again glorious. Please journey to Jennifer's Chocolate Heart and share in the "praise."

1) The weather was grand for the Festival of the Little Hills in St. Charles, MO. (Often referred to by the family as the "Sweating of the Little Hills." It was an absolutely wonderful day to walk the streets of the city and peruse the stalls and eat the wonderful food with John, Rhonda and Ron!

2) Praising God for John and all his work in investigating some of the hotels in St. Louis for the upcoming Stubbs Family Reunion in June, 2010.

3) Praise God for breakfast with Rhonda, John, and Ron on the Blackstock screened in porch. August seldom offers us such a treat. It's always soooo hot there.

4) Praising Him for the opportunity to acquire ingredients needed for the rehearsal dinner in December. UMMMM Key Lime Pie!

5) Praising God for His Mass and Communion today. Left me full of joy and gladness!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Bad Haiku Friday

Puzzle day was fun
Keeps the mind working and playing
Next week's puzzle is ready

Antelope
Rocky Mountain National Park

Here is next week's puzzle picture. I had a great time and hope you will join in the fun next week. Know that when you put the puzzle together it is not mandatory that you put together the number of pieces shown in the puzzle. The site allows you to change the number of pieces you use to complete the puzzle. And ignore the clock...It's not a competition. If you get stumped you can always restart the puzzle. I just want you to relax and have fun!

Today we trek to St. Louis to visit family and go to the Festival of the Little Hills in St. Charles (in years passed dubbed by Ron as the "sweating of the little hills because of the heat and humidity). Weather seems to be cooperating as it will be cool according to the weatherman...I will HOLD him to that!

Wishing all a cool, delightful weekend. Enjoy!!!!!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Picture Puzzle Day

Starting today and following every week I am going to try Picture Puzzle Day. I will try to post a photo each week as a puzzle. You can put it together and play along. If you like you can offer a picture puzzle so others can join us to share and play along. I have always loved puzzles and as a child a table was always set with a puzzle-in-the-making. I must give credit where credit is due as I got the idea from Elena at Precious Treasures. She posted a puzzle the other day and wow did I have a good time. So jump in, the water is fine and we can all have a lot of fun!

Here is the link to JigZone so you can create and submit your puzzle. And Mr. Linky is available below for you convenience. Please leave a comment and join in the fun!!! I can hardly wait to put your puzzles together!

~~~^j^~~

Thanks be to God!

The Life of Saint Brigid: Abbess of Kildare

I was visited here at A Bit of the Blarney by Jane Meyer, author of the book The Life of Saint Brigid: Abbess of Kildare. I'm honored that she left a comment. I am most excited about her book about Saint Brigid. One can never have too many role models, especially little girls. I think little children need role models that have lived a life of success, not in material wealth, for that is fleeting, but those who choose the path of service. For it is in service that the reward is most great! I think it is so important that there is "holy" glamor in this world and it is not in the body of physical beauty but in the gifts and talents manifested in the person who offers self for the aid and good of others.

My thanks to Jane Meyer for her visit.

~~~^j^~~~

And my sincerest

Thanks be to God.

Road to Providence

As I have journeyed this Road to Providence these last months I learned early on that one can define oneself, if she so desires, in poetry. I learned from reading and practice that one can pray, reflect and learn in the poetic form, Cinquain.

The term "CINQUAIN" (pronounced SING-cane, the plural is "cinquains") as applied by modern poets most correctly refers to a form invented by the American poet Adelaide Crapsey ( William Soutar,the Scots poet,was also a prolific writer thereof). The first examples of hers were published in 1915 in The Complete Poems, roughly a year after her death. Her cinquain form was inspired by Japanese haiku and Tanka (a form of Waka).

Wikipedia

I personally enjoy this form. And I thank Laura at Catholic Teacher Musings had no idea what an influence she would be on me when she started Bad Haiku Friday! Since then I have found a lot of solace in writing poetry.

My offering today is this:

Cinquain on Providence

Gifted
Loving destiny
Omnipotence of God
Journey

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

Praise God!

We had a grand visit with Jimmy and Kelly this weekend. And so it is that I have so much for which to be grateful and give PRAISE. Please journey to Jennifer's Chocolate Heart and share in the "praise."

1. In glory and praise for the wonderful weather we experienced. The temperature was comfortable and the humidity LOW!

2. I praise him for family. Meeting Kelly's parents, Ross and Kathy, was such a pleasure. They are delightful people. (Imagine now a family in December with 3 Kelly[ie]s and 2 C[K]athys. Gatherings could be soooo much fun!!!

3. In praise and thanksgiving for the willingness of all to work together for the good of Jimmy and Kelly and their holy union in December.

4. I praise him for the beautiful liturgy at St. Brigid's yesterday morning.

5. Again, I praise and thank him for our safe and uneventful travel.

Wishing all a glorious Monday!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!

On the Road Again...

I credit Willie Nelson for our theme song, cuz this evening we leave to visit Jimmy and Kelly in Alpharetta, GA. We will meet Kelly's parents and discuss what they have planned for the wedding in December. If you don't hear from me for a few day, just know I'm having a wonderful time!!!!

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God

Loyal Friend Award

Much to my surprise and delight Sue at In Him I Live and Move and Have My Being offered me this gifts. She is a delight to visit as her blog offers insight and reflection. I will offer this award to those who have been loyal to me since the very beginning.


Here are the rules:

1. Copy the loyal picture above and post it on your blog.
2. Pass it on to who you think who is/are deserving.
3. Leave a message to them
4. Pass as many as you want.
5. Message back or leave a comment to the owner.

Right now I'd like to echo the words of Saint Paul.

I give thanks to you God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work to you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right that I should thing this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, you who are all partners with me in grace, confirmation of the Gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every ind of perception to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. (Phil 3-11)

I offer this first to my daughter-in-law Kelly at Musings as she was the one who gave me encouragement.

Then to Esther at Catholic Mom in Hawaii and Therese Aussie Coffee Shop, friends on the journey.

Lisa at Are We There Yet invites me into her home and makes me welcome in the "Garden of Colorado," the Eden I can only visit now through her gorgeous pictures.

Mike at This I Do who offers words of wisdom and some of the grandest photos anywhere!

Finally to Ann at Prayer, Poetry and Praise and SuzyQ at Sailing by Starlight who inject beauty into my world with their use of words and poetry.

Thank you again Sue and thank you to all who visit here! To everyone who visits here you are most welcome and I cherish all your words and wisdom.

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God

Mayonnaise Jar and Two Beers...

Ireland 2007 - Guiness Barrell
Originally uploaded by adileo

When I read this I knew this had been "around the world" a zillion times. I am posting this for three reasons.

1. It was a gift from my friend Ruth. Thank you.

2. It is never too often to have a GOOD lesson reinforced.

3. I wanted to save it to my blog so it wouldn't get lost in our file cabinet. I'm saving it for posterity.


When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him..

When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full.

They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar He shook the jar lightly.

The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full.

They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.

Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full.

The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.

The students laughed..

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.

The sand is everything else---the small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you..

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children.

Spend time with your parents.

Visit with grandparents.

Take time to get medical checkups.

Take your spouse out to dinner.

Play another 18.

There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter.

Set your priorities.

The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented.

The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.'

The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God

Aside: If ever in Dublin you must visit The Gravity Bar at the top of the Guiness Brewery. The view of the city is exquisite!!!!!

Picture Ireland 2007 - Guiness Barrell Originally uploaded by adileo