The FuzzmopsFamily in Motion

Chloe on the slip and slide – May 29, 2010

Sometimes you find really beautiful and meaningful messages in the places you least expect. Spotted in an alleyway in Birmingham, Alabama – May 2010.

“Love your Neighbor”

“Hope”

Isn’t it what we all want?

Another one of Chloe’s finds. She spotted this happy coffee cup lid in Port Jeff. He could either be happy or surprised depending on whether you’re a glass is half empty or half full type. She said he was happy, so I’m going with that. He seems unperturbed by his less than ideal surroundings. We should all be so evolved.

When you go to the pound and select yourself a fur ball to bring home, you can never know just how much they will become a part of your family. I love this mutt.

While walking across a parking lot Chloe shouted, “Mom! There is an octopus in the road!”  We walked back to the car, I gave her my camera and she took a photo of it. I love that she sees things beyond what they appear to be on the surface.

A 60 degree Sunday afternoon at the end of November is a treat here in the Northeast. Old man winter is patiently waiting to come knocking on our door. In the meantime we made the most of our limited daylight hours with a riding excursion to the Fire Island Lighthouse.

We parked our motorcycles in one of the parking fields and walked along the wooden walkway amongst the golden reeds. There are signs of deer, foxes and other small animals everywhere. Sadly we didn’t catch a glimpse of any.

The Fire Island Lighthouse is New York’s tallest lighthouse at over 160 feet above sea level. We found that out in a hurry when we trudged our gear laden behinds up the 156 steps of the narrow spiral staircase. The combination of the post-Thanksgiving food hangover and the motorcycle gear made for an um… labored climb to the observation deck.

I’ll tell you, it’s always that last ladder at the very top of so many lighthouses that really gives me the willies. I’ve got a bit of the fear of heights. I have imagined myself tumbling ass over teakettle down the spiral stairs with a decidedly ungraceful thud on more than one occasion. What is it about turning around on a ladder to come down backwards that is so scary?

The ride itself to the lighthouse isn’t thrilling. But a nice walk in the sunshine, the rolling waves along the beach, the sea air – they make it worth the trip.

For More Information:

• Fire Island Lighthouse – NPS
• View in Google Maps
• More of my Lighthouse Visits

After dinner on Wednesday evening we put Luna in the car and headed over to Stonybrook Harbor. It was such a beautiful evening, spending it outside seemed like the perfect thing to do. We skipped rocks, Luna barked at scary sticks, we poked old lobsters. The simple things are often best.

During our family visit to Iceland in April of 2009 we saw really great street and public art scattered all around the city.

One of the best things about Maine is that we get to see so many animals throughout the day. From cute little chippies, to crafty red squirrels, to slithering snakes there is always something scurrying around in Gram’s yard.

The Little Red Squirrel

Polyphemus Silk Moth

Giant Spiders in the Boathouse

Chipmunk

Oh Hai - Garter Snake