Upper Table Rock Hike

These two mesas have always loomed in the distance. They are very distinct fixtures against our landscape to the northeast of my home town.

They are covered in poison oak and are rumored to have lots of rattle snakes on them as well...which is part of why I had never attempted to hike either of them.

Recently, I had seen some great pictures that my uncle took a few years ago during a hike in the spring and I got the urge to see the views for myself.

A few weeks ago, one of my co-workers mentioned that she was going to climb the Upper one (which means it is up river from the other), and I decided to jump on the chance.

This morning we made the trek. And even with my terrible fitness status, I did make it to the top (just had to take a couple of breaks along the way). The view was just as awesome as I imagined. The top itself was covered in green, wild flowers, and baby poison oak...LOL. It was quite beautiful. I am hoping to get to the top of the Lower Table Rock (seen in the distance of this image) before the poison oak gets too big as I am highly allergic to it.
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Two Years Ago on In My Words...New Hike

Work Tulips

The beds out front at work always have some cool plants in them...I am not sure if the tulips are left in year around, and some of the other seasonal stuff is just brought in and taken out when it dies, but the tulips are in full bloom now and I was determined to remember to get a shot of them before they disappeared.

I walk past them each day on my way for my break walk and of course, I am in a hurry then and rarely have my camera and then by the time I go back in, I have forgotten about them...but not today. I finished my walk a little early, went straight to my desk and grabbed my camera to get a shot in the morning sun.

Tulips are such a happy flower and always feel like a true sign that spring is on its way.
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Five Years Ago on In My Words...Ikebana Lesson #1

Poor Baby

Face inside

This is the cute face of Sophie, my cousin's lovable but gigantic mastif. We were having a get together at the house this week and she and her sister Roxy (who is a Sheppard and Collie mix) were relegated to the back yard.

My cousin has a kitty door for their oversized Maine Coon named Samson to come in and out through. This kitty door is located in the wall of the den, with a window above it.

At the time of this shot, I was visiting with my cousin who is in town from Hawaii with his wife and daughter. I could hear some kind of weird noise from behind them and I went to look, and this face is what I saw. She really just wanted to be part of the get together, but as you can see from the shot through the window, she just didn't fit through that kitty door.

Body outside

She is the sweetest dog and I just found the way she was actually sitting on the ground with her face shoved through the hole was just too adorable. I don't know how they are able to discipline her at all with that cute mug.
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Seven Years Ago on In My Words...Makes My Back Ache

The Grand Budapest Hotel

Watched this movie last night and loved it!! It was so well done, the cast was amazing and the story was intriguing. Loved the miniatures and animation. It had a bit of a Monty Python feel to it in my opinion, although from what I have read the writer/director wasn't necessarily influenced by Monty Python. In reviewing his work, I find that I have seen quite a few of his movies, but I don't remember any of them being quite like this one.

I highly recommend it to anyone that is an MP fan though, you will enjoy the genre and the humor. I gave it five stars on Netflix.
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Three Years Ago on In My Words...Observations

Loving Spring Flowers

This is evergreen clemantis and is one of my favorites because it stays green all winter and also because of the big fragrant blooms in the spring.

We have a bit of this in our back yard but there is a ton of it growing on the fence at work near our parking lot and it smells so good....wish it kept blooms longer than just spring though.

Spring has definitely sprung here, even if the temps can't make up their mind what they want to do for sure.

We still have a lot to do in the yard...never ends, but it is nice to see the life coming back with the new season.
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Last Year on In My Words...POTD Day 13 Fresh

The Book Thief

Read this book a few years ago and absolutely loved it. Today, I finally saw the movie. I felt like they did a god job of it.

I highly recommend both of them. The stories are hard but they are things that we should never forget and should always learn from.

A decade ago, we were able to visit the holocaust museum in DC, while there as tourists. It was a life changing experience. I left there feeling like a trip to that place should be a requirement for graduation in the US so that will never forget and will always learn so we do not repeat the errors we humans have made.
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Last Month on In My Words...The Untouchables

OSF: Fingersmith

Thanks to my awesome uncle, I got a ticket to see this play in preview during one of the matinees. It was my first play of what is supposed to be a great season. It was amazing. A story I really didn't know anything about, I was immersed immediately in the life of 19th century England. I am kind of glad that I hadn't read the book before I saw this play because it allowed the twists and turns to unfold in real time for me. I do have the book on my "to read" list now though.

After the play, one of the actors came out to talk to us a bit. He was really fun, answering questions ranging from his character in this play to questions about his career and favorite theaters to work in. Overall a very enjoyable experience and I highly recommend this play this season!
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Two Years Ago on In My Words...My Fair Lady

Tooth Brushing

I am an avid brusher...probably too avid. I have always had a bit of a phobia about bad breath, so brushing has been my friend. Recently though, a friend of mine has had to have her gums built up because they are receding from brushing too aggressively and I thought that I might find myself with that same issue (and no dental insurance), if I am not careful.

I know a lot of people that like to use the electric brushes that spin to brush their teeth. They say they get a better clean without the wear and tear on their gums. I thought, I would try out an inexpensive electric brush and see if I like it and if my gums like it. I didn't want to jump into the deep end and spend a ton of money, in case it isn't for me so today, I got one of the cheaper Oral B versions that just takes a AA battery to give it a shot...the head is still small enough for my cover and the bristles come in soft (which is what I need).

I decided to do a Google search to see what recommendations are out there for brushing techniques and I came across this useful article. I thought perhaps it might be useful for others so I linked it.

This evening will be my first trial run...I'll let you know how it goes.
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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Teeth Whitening

Spring Has Sprung

This is the pretty Phlox in our front yard...it is super cute and fuzzy. The other big one we have isn't doing as well because it was entwined with some weeds during the winter and getting them out was kind of a pain in the ass. It has been done now though, so hopefully it will bounce back okay.

A lot of flowers are starting to make their appearance in the yard which just reminds me how much I need to get done before the good weather gets here...

It seems the tasks are never ending!!
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Two Years Ago on In My Words...Pop Spring Visit