Of an Octopus, Starfish and Marine Life

How about a trip to the coast?

OK, let me take you on a trip to one of my favorite places on the central Oregon coast--

a place I have been visiting for many (and I do mean MANY) years:)

Wow-that was a quick drive!

It seems like it took no time at all

and here we are already on the southern side of beautiful Yaquina Bay!

Shall we go in and explore?

Ah!!! The famous octopus--so famous that he/she gets his/her own webcam.

You think I am kidding??

No and many people (I included) think that is awesome!

Anything that helps people understand, appreciate and then take good stewardship of our marine life is OK with me!

A favorite of mine--

did you know that starfish come in so many colors?

Which one do you like best?

And how about this fellow...

shhh, I think he is watching us.

I think he is rather good looking--kind of distinguished.

And this---beautiful!

It is amazing that there is so much color below the surface of the ocean

and in tidal pools.

Go ahead -- touch -- it is OK here.

And there are always great staff here to help and answer questions.

I like places where people like what they are doing!

BTW---I touched a fish when I was here--it was COOL!

Well--there is a lot more to see here (lots of exhibits)

but I do need to get a few tasks done today so...

outside we go.

You know if I had planned better we could have done the nature hikes along the bay

or gone to a lighthouse

or ??

There is a LOT to do in Newport, you know--

or do you know?

But for now we shall enjoy a few flowers and then bid goodbye to the coast

until next time...

LOVE this place:)

Blessings,

Aimee

Note: TY to the wonderful staff at OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center

and for permission to post these photos on my blog. If you get a chance to visit the Oregon coast I would definitely recommend a visit here, especially if you have kids. It is a place to see, hear, touch and learn more about the coast and marine life. Here is their main website: http://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/

10 Days + Counting

I am 10 days into my retreat now and am learning to embrace some changes I have made (but am also seeing other changes that would be good to make). Some changes I have made (and am loving) are:
1. Less TV time. Before the retreat started my DH and I had made a decision to cut way back on our satellite TV package--meaning all the premium channels and some other ones too. I have found that I do not miss them at ALL and it costs less too.

2. More time spent in reading. I have always loved reading--as a child I spent hours reading our encyclopedias, Bible Story books, Nancy Drew and books about horses (of course). During this retreat (and a bit before) I have already read 4 books or so and am in the process of reading more, including one on how to be thrifty (written in the early 1800's). A very interesting read -- some things just do not change:)

3. More quiet time. One of the blogs I read--morningramble.blogspot.com--talks about quietness a lot. Our house has always been filled with noise--but I am finding that I LOVE the quiet--especially the (relative) quiet of the night and early morning! By this I mean it isn't perfectly quiet at those times--one does hear the beautiful sounds of nature and maybe a passing car or two, but these sounds are peaceful ones.

4. More music/Christian radio time. Am finding that I like this much more then TV.

5. Practicing the 'presence of God' -- not just during Bible reading and prayer, but also when you are doing chores in the kitchen, outside or wherever. Still learning about this.

Still have some more goals for this retreat--but preparations for making these goals are still underway so I will wait to post about them:) And now--it is time to get back to today's tasks...

Blessings,
Aimee

Playing: Fireworks

A little over one year into my new camera,

I am enjoying playing with its many features...

that is except for the

dreaded

zoom lens.

I just have this nagging fear of taking off my 'regular' lens

and then not being able to get any lens on.

I know, I know-

I will someday just do it and then wonder why it took me so long to try it:)

~

But back to the topic -- playing.

Here are some of the results of my play time this summer.

I had no idea what settings to choose,

so it was a guessing game...

but that also made it fun!

Come to think of it. I still don't know what settings I chose

unless I look at the specs for the photos.

Maybe by next year I will know what I am doing:)

Some of them remind me of how my hair ends get when they are really dry--

like this one and the one above it.

And my favorites? The ones with several different colors:)

Playing can be fun!

Blessings,

Aimee

To Strengthen Our Souls

The first and chief need of our Christian life is,

fellowship with God.

The Divine life within us comes from God, and is entirely dependent
upon Him. As I need every moment afresh the air to breathe, as the sun
every moment afresh sends down its light, so it is only in direct
living communication with God that my soul can be strong.

~

Blessings, Aimee

Source: Murray, Andrew. The Deeper Christian Life. Fleming H. Revell, 1895

(This book is in the public domain and can be found on http://www.ccel.org/)