World Bird Wednesday - Seagull

Photos Taken At Spreckles Lake In San Francisco

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Macro Monday Flowers And Water Droplets

All Photos Taken At The San Francisco Botanical Gardens

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Sundays In My City - Around San Francisco

Chinatown

San Francisco Botanical Gardens

Downtown San Francisco 

Transamerica Pyramid Building

Transamerica Pyramid Building Side View

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Camera Critters - Garden Critters

Taken at the Golden Gate Bridge.

Taken at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens.

Taken at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens.

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Skywatch Friday in San Francisco

Chinatown San Francisco

Magnolias against blue skies at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens

The Financial District San Francisco

The Ferry Building San Francisco

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Thursday Two Questions Meme - Help For Bobbi Kristina Brown

Courtesy of UsMagazine.com Bobbi Kristina Brown

Since the passing of her Mother, Whitney Houston on February 11, 2012 it is said that 18 year old Bobbi Kristina, daughter of Whitney Houston and Bobbi Brown is out of control on drugs.

I read these articles and see these headlines and I am angry, disgusted and frustrated.  Why?  Let's forget for a moment that she is a celebrity and look at the facts.  She grew up in a dysfunctional household, more often than not being the parent for her parents.  She witnessed drug abuse and domestic violence first hand.  She became an adult before she was ready.

This is an eighteen year old girl who lost her Mother/best friend, suddenly without any warning.  Of course she is out of control.  I lost my Mother at 38 and I was out of control, for months.  Not to mention, she is constantly in the spotlight, being hounded by the media with tabloid disgust being spewed all over the airwaves and internet.  How is she supposed to handle all of this.  

She has already been to the hospital twice within 24 hours of Whitney dying and how was it handled?  They gave her a sedative.  I'm sorry but sedatives do not address the problem.  HER MOTHER DIED!!! She needs a caring family member or someone who understands what she is going through and can give her the comfort she needs.  Granted, while rehab will help with the drug problem, that will not help the underlying cause which is insurmountable grief right now.  There must be someone who can help her.

I have so much fear over this entire situation.  I don't want to get online some morning only to read breaking headlines about this girl.  Someone needs to take control and help her.  If I knew how to get in touch with her myself I would.  No, I can't address the drugs but I could help with the underlying problem and anyone who has lost a loved one could do the same.

I hate pointing fingers and  blaming anyone, especially within her family but I think right now, caring about Bobbi Kristina is much more important than selling the funeral video and auctioning off Whitney's dresses.  

I know for those of you that read this blog you expect flowers and niceties but this situation hit me hard and something needs to be done.

I don't really have two questions this week but rather want everyone to share your opinions.

Thank you.

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Watery Wednesday #174 Transamerica Redwood Park

Taken at Transamerica Redwood Park in San Francisco

Macro Monday Flowers

Photos taken at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens.

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Skywatch Friday

Chinatown Red Lantern San Francisco

Transamerica Pyramid Building San Francisco

The San Francisco Botanical Gardens

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Watery Wednesday #174 Turtles Sunbathing

Taken at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens

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My Love Sense - Dedicated In Memory Of Whitney Houston

Love
speaks in silence
the unconditional
stanzaic interlude
between heart and soul.
Never wanting
always waiting
to give freely
and openly.


Love
does not see color
nor stereotypical
ego branded persona.
As spirit seer
pure love
accepts all
with understanding
and patience.


Love
hears beyond sound
soft whispers
of heartstrings
playing in rhythm
the quiet song -
a deafening simplicity
defining uniqueness
to authentic self.


Love
tastes the sweet n sour
of daily imperfections
savoring the bitter
with the sweet.
The perfect blend
providing nourishment
for the heart
digesting the mix.


Love
smells indifference
and recoils at the
nauseous self righteous
stench of the arrogant
yet embraces the
empowering odor
of forgiveness -
a scent of healing.


Love
touches softly
hearts who hear,
minds who see,
spirits who know
the freedom to give
inherent deep within
our soul
without expectation -


unconditionally.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RIP Whitney 1963 - 2012


Photo and poetry by: Joanne Olivieri

Macro Monday Magnolias

Taken at the San Francisco Botanical Gardens

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Camera Critters #201 Red Tailed Hawk

Photo Taken At The Library Courtyard Fountain At The San Francisco Botanical Gardens

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On Your Own

Photo of me taken by Carmen a few months ago.

I have always been a free spirit doing my own thing. My thoughts and ideas flow freely each moment of each day. I chose this photo for my post because it so aptly depicts the essence of me and the thought behind my post.  We were at a party a few months ago and I was of course, with camera in hand taking photos of the water. Carmen snapped this shot.

On Your Own

Did you ever notice that when you decide on doing something, whether it be changing jobs or following your dreams and you begin to discuss your ideas with family, co-workers and friends, that you will inevitably need to defend your ideas and most likely end up arguing in defense of your thoughts?  Why? Because when we put those ideas out there, two things happen.  First, behind those ideas is our ego intent on bragging to others in order to validate the thoughts and intent.  Remember that intent from ego is taking the wrong direction.  Intent from heart is the true and right direction.

Second,  no matter how strong you feel about your idea, the fact is that when others finish telling you how “out there” your idea is or give you logical reasons as to why it’s never going to work, all that negativity will kill your idea and result in it never coming to fruition.

Your ideas from the heart grow and our born into fruition by your not needing any validations but rather taking that first step on your own with a clear understanding and knowing that this idea which comes from your heart is your destiny.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. You do not need endorsements from others.  Endorsements come from ego.  Your heart needs to be the ruler.

2. You don’t need to announce your ideas.  They come from your spirit therefore they need no introduction or applause.

3. Creation is derived from the unseen into the seen.  It is born within your spirit and created as a result of that birth by you.  

Syroco Wood Home Decor

For more details and information view the listing at Jo's Collectibles Mercantile






For more details and information view the listing at Jo's Collectibles Mercantile

The Syracuse Ornamental Company, aka Syroco, is a well known and highly regarded 
company known for their ornate wood sconces, wall plaques and corkscrews.

They produce many home decor products displayed in an elegant Victorian era period
design.

The term Syroco is actually derived from the Syroco molding process that is 
implemented by combining a wood compound and casting fluids that were poured
into molds and then hand carved.

Adolph Holstein invented this process in 1890. He was the original owner of the 
Syracuse Ornamental Company.

These products are detailed with fine tuned clever artistry and a touch of class.