MEMORIAL SERVICE: MILLY POHL

Whilst funerals are generally sad occasions, they bring closure for many of the loved ones who stay behind.

My own Mom's funeral was held in November. She had a long life: spending 88 years in this world and 51 with me.

It is difficult to organise an event like this when you are grieving. My mom's funeral was that much more difficult since I was so close to her.

I tried to organise around the idea that her funeral should remind us of her and should provide the opportunity for many of us to find closure.

Today's post is primarily meant for the benefit of my family, but is also to say thank you for friends, across the globe, who have been my cyber-support-structure during this time. I am so immensely grateful for your love and support!

The photograph which we selected for the front of the order of service, was a photo taken last Christmas day. It was one of those special photographs - a moment captured in time - impulsively - when Mom was unaware. She was so happy that day. I had hoped that this would be the image which we would all remember - a happy person.

Flowers have somehow become my own way of expressing my grief. I need them to say something about that person.

I had chosen soft pastels for all the arrangements - since Mom was a gentle person. She loved beautiful things and especially flowers. I would often bring her small posies of flowers, from my garden, for her little room in her retirement village. She always expressed joy in receiving them.


At her funeral, I organised that the flowers in the vases be made up in 50 little posies (put together in the vases) which were later given to each resident at Mom's village. She would have loved that - a gesture of thanks for their friendship and love during her time there.


Mom's funeral was held at St Paul's lutheran church in Johannesburg - a church adjacent and connected to her retirement village.

I was initially really worried about the venue. Mom had spent most of her life in a small farming community away from city life. Elaborate, modern churches buildings don't quite reflect the intimacy with which I associate her. It is ironic that the church building at her funeral was small and intimate. Modern amenities of electronic sound systems, etc, were distinctly absent. Although this church is in a city, once you step inside, it feels like you are completely away from city life - in a place where you can find personal space for youself and your God.

The music was solely organ music...played on a magnificent old organ which took prime position in the loft of the sanctuary. Indeed, I don't think many of the congregants saw it...they merely heard it!

Some of you may know that Mom played the organ for many years at her local Anglican church in the little village of Duiwelskloof. So it was befitting that the music be traditional organ music.

The artwork on the beautiful stone alter was exquisite! - depicting recognisable biblical scenes.

Mom was a practicing Christian throughout her life.

Artwork reflecting biblical times was displayed throughout the sanctuary.

It was really beautiful!

The Church had really high walls - creating a cool environment inside the building.

The Crucifix in the front of the little church was also the artwork of one of the members of their congregation.

My cousin presented a moving eulogy and tribute to my mother. In words, he painted a picture of her life and her loves. He also read out some very touching tributes written by her 7 grandchildren.

Thank you, Doug, for being our strength at that time!

The service itself was traditional and comforting - and supported with hymns that my Mom was familiar with.

A number of family and friends travelled from far to be with us at this time.
We are so grateful for their participation, love and support.

MILDRED IRA POHL
25 May 1921 - 14 November 2009

(To Mom, with love)

I saw the dawn
on a sorrowful morn'
You were gone
and we were forlorn.

It was peaceful, painless,
you simply slept,
as we remained shocked
and silently wept.

Your life is done,
you'd certainly been whole.
You've gone to another place
to deliver your soul.

The memories I cherish,
it was meant to be.
Fly now, Mom...
At last you are free!

Caryl Moll

26 November 2009

Finally, I want to thank Ann for the magnificent bouquet of proteas which she gave me at the time. She might not know this, but proteas are a symbol of strength to me.

Thank you!


So....funerals, although a sad time, bring closure to many folk. My mother had a long and happy life. She loved her family immensely.

We will cherish her memory forever!

THE CHOICE IS OURS!

BEHIND EVERY CHALLENGE LIES THE SOLUTION!
BEHIND EVERY CLOUD IS A PALETTE OF BLUE SKY!
AFTER THE DARKNESS THE LIGHT OF MORNING SHINES ON THE HORIZON!
BEHIND ALL ANGER THERE IS HURT - WAITING TO BE LOVED!

WHEN WE TAKE A PHOTOGRAPH WE CAN EDIT IT THE WAY WE WANT…CUT OUT THE UGLY AND LEAVE THE BEAUTY…FOCUS ON WHAT WE WISH, SO THAT WE BEGIN TO LIVE WITH ONLY THE GOOD.

WE CAN SEARCH FOR THE SOLUTION OR STAY WITH IT’S CHALLENGE.
WE CAN FADE UNDER THE CLOUD OR LOOK FOR THE SKY!
WE CAN SIT IN THE DARKNESS OR EXPERIENCE THE LIGHT!
AND WE CAN DEAL WITH OUR HURT AND LOOK FOR IT’S SEED OF LOVE!

THE CHOICE IS OURS!
(...AND YES…IT IS DIFFICULT!)

CARYL MOLL

THROUGH THE EYES OF A CAMERA

It is so easy to get caught up in this troubled and turbulent world of ours...
For example, if you are a passionate reader of newspapers and other media, then you get mentally caught up in the drama of the world at large. Since disasters are news worthy, they get printed readily. Very seldom do you read about ‘happy’ events. So it goes to say that you will be thinking about all those unhappy events constantly and for some folk, this generates constant negative thoughts and thinking.

Another example: If you are locked into your work situation and find it difficult to not think about work, then you ‘become’ your work. If your work is stressful, then you will be generally stressed.

I recently had a very interesting insight into my own life:

For the past year and a bit, I have been constantly carrying my camera around with me. I am an avert blogger (on my other blog) and have designed
“Max’s blog”
in such a way so that it will be seen as imparting ‘positivity’. For that reason, I search constantly for that beautiful photograph. Each moment of the day, in whatever I am doing, I wonder about the potential ‘photo opportunity’ that the moment presents. It often happens that when I upload my photos onto the computer, I crop them too, so that only the ‘good’ is displayed.

Over the months of blogging, the collection of ‘beautiful’, ‘good’, ‘positive’ and ‘happy’ photos has increased, so that now when I look at my blog, it becomes inspiring and I find myself thinking more positive thoughts generally. These in turn, inspire me to continue and it has become – for me - the total opposite mental thinking to the disheartening and negative events of four years ago.

The point I am making is that the “positivity” which has emerged in me has been the direct result of a conscious decision to look for the positive.

So I leave you with this thought:....

Is it not possible, that our emotions are determined by a conscious decision to react to our reality in a particular way?

It seems, to me, that “WE ARE WHAT WE CHOOSE TO THINK ABOUT!”

TWO BY TWO

Hello there everyone and welcome to my blog!...

Today I am going to talk about:

COMPANIONSHIP...

This is a picture of the pigeon pair who have set up roosting facilities in our white stinkwood tree in the garden. The picture itself seems to capture the essence of what I want to say today.

At the day's end, who keeps us company?


I was in our Vet’s waiting room some time ago and got chatting to his interesting receptionist...

They have a rather large kitty there – called Monty – and she was telling me his touching rescue story. Monty was sitting on the shelf next to me listening to our chatter. He was keeping company with another grey kitty on the food shelf next to us. The two of them were happily sitting there, paws tucked under their chests and snoozing.




She explained that they have cared for many animals over the years and have come to believe that it is not fair to keep single animals. They always try to find a partner because they believe that
“No animal is meant to be alone!”




Her statement got me thinking...

Yes I agree with her. Humans too are not meant to be alone either. We are communal creatures by nature. Yet how many of us lead singular lives and bare the brunt of loneliness?

I began thinking about the concept of marriage and commitment and thought back also to a wedding sermon I’d heard many years ago. The minister, at the time, asked the question:
“Why get married?”
and then came up with a statement that I have always remembered...

“WE GET MARRIED SO THAT SOMEONE CAN BARE WITNESS TO OUR LIVES”

Our lives may be difficult, they may be fraught with health issues, financial concerns and various disagreements. Life at the best of times is not easy! The bottom line however is that, in the process of life, we do indeed need someone who can bare witness - to share our reality and to mirror it back to us. Without another, our lives become pointless.

So, today is a good day to begin to be grateful for the people we have in our lives. Those who keep us company. Those who share our woes. Those who allow us into their own lives.




Let us seek to strengthen those bonds by rejoicing in the good and letting the rest die of neglect.

The gift of companionship should not be taken lightly!

MY FAVOURITE BIRD

Red-billed woodhoepoe

Some of you might be aware that JOHANNESBURG (SOUTH AFRICA) is officially regarded as a forest!

Yes, we have thousands of trees which grace our big city. Some of the trees have beautiful foliage and they also provide substantial shelter for a spectacular variety of bird life.

Picture the scene:...

You are lying on your bed, on a Sunday afternoon, relaxed and stretched out after a busy week. All is quiet and contented.

Suddenly there is a loud cackling of birds, coming from outside your bedroom window. The cackling is echoed by frustrated barking. After dragging yourself, from your slumber, to the window you notice the stand-off....

Dogs are guarding their bones and the red-billed hoepoes, in the tree, are voicing their dissatisfaction!

These beautiful birds are my favourite! They have glossy plumage with beautiful zebra strips on their tails (visible in flight). They generally hang around in flocks, with all their mates, and always announce themselves in our garden.

I think what I like about them most is their relationship with my dogs. It is extremely amusing to watch them as they taunt the hounds with their loud cackles and close proximity. They particularly enjoy the remnants of the marrow bones which I sometimes give to our dogs. They peck at them when the pooches aren't watching and cackle loudly about their find. It drives our dogs absolutely nuts as they then attempt to chase them away. Generally though, these birds merely retreat to a nearby tree and voice their disgust. It becomes an absolute circus to watch.

The hoepoe's red bill is truly spectacular! What also intrigues me is its perfect design for getting into small places and snapping up grubs. They will hang onto the stems of trees as they peruse the surface for any insects whilst the dogs wait in vain at the bases.

So what do you think? ...Do you like our RED-BILLED WOOD HOEPOE'S?

AMUSING MUSING!

I revel in the times when I have an opportunity to explore 'thought' and it's link into language. To some of you this might sound very strange, but did you know that our language determines our thought. Language is an incredibly powerful tool. I thought I'd share one of my strange concepts with you today:

WARNING: PUT YOUR THINKING CAP ON!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


I just love the noun ...

“MUSING”

pronounced....mewzzzzzzing

(DEFN:...A period of thinking carefully about something or telling people you thoughts about it.)

(I encourage you to say it out loud...and slowly!)

M U S I N G

It seems to roll off my tongue in a manner that conveys its precise meaning

and sends me into a world of thought, dreams, ideas and concepts.

It wills me along this path of contemplation that generates peace, wonder and awe.

To me, it is the mental equivalent of doodling.

Musing instills an essence of calmness in me and entices me to morph into a sense of delight in my own freedom to think.

I can then relax and allow myself to be transported along its unanticipated thought patterns.

Musing points to a serene sense of consciousness which turns my mind to creativity.

The “zzz” sound at the end of the word seeks to put me to sleep

...calmness

...receptiveness

...peace.

Is it not ironic that Music itself derives from this word?!

So, if I add an “A” to this special word,

it then changes the whole feel of the word as it then becomes ...

“AMUSING”! ?

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MY WORLD... AS A SEE IT.

Hello there dear friends

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!

Whilst some parts of our globe are preparing for icy winters,

here in SOUTH AFRICA it is getting warmer by the day.

I am always facinated by the costume changes in our floral kingdom and the changes amongst our living creatures when the seasons alter.

As Spring arrives, so do many migratory birds return from their excursions.

Our plants revive themselves into flowers fit to sustain pesty honeysuckers and our trees bare fruit for our animals and feathered fruit eaters.

The world of insects is no different.

The hotter weather leaves us deafened by their buzzing and we have no option but to watch their display of diversity and wonder.

Last evening a new friend arrived...

This beautiful moth graciously stood still for me to photograph it.

I've not seen one like this before.

It was small...about 1cm in size, but its colours were exquisite.

My reverie resolved into all sorts of imaginary forms...something like when one stares at clouds for familiar shapes.

This beautiful moth's colouring, if you look carefully, looks like ,,,

a traditional chinese doll.

Do you see what I see?

Or perhaps you'd like to share your own personal perspective!?

I'd love to hear your view..

A SICK LITTLE DOGGIE

When the animals in this household become ill, I become distraught. I can’t sleep, I can’t eat and I am overwhelmed with a sense of nausea. If they are hurt, my own body hurts with them. When their illnesses start and they are only just beginning to ail, again my body warns me. Obviously this is not usual and I wonder about the nature of the bond which I have with them.

This evening Toffee didn’t look comfortable. To an average onlooker, however, nothing seemed amiss. But I could tell, by the subtle nuances in his posture, that he wasn’t happy, that something was ailing and he was afraid.

After a few hours, things didn’t look any better. Again, to an outsider, whatever was troubling TOFFEE, was concealed. I could feel my insides turning – a clear indication to me too that something was definitely wrong. And when Max, my 9yr old Golden Retriever, and leader of his pack, started ‘talking’ to me whilst shifting closer and closer to my side, I finally got the message.

I bundled up Toffee. We climbed into the car to make the late night visit to the emergency Vet. Whilst driving there, I wondered what I would say – there weren’t too many obvious symptoms, but Toffee was clearly not himself and I just knew this was indeed an emergency. I searched for the words, to explain to the Vet, what was seemingly the problem.

All I could come up with was that TOFFEE wasn’t himself and that even though his temperature was measured to be normal, his little body was burning up next to me. He was shivering and his tail was tucked in. He was not the energetic Toffee I know. Usually he is clambering to jump on my lap, or to challenge all the other dogs and strutt his stuff.

After a lengthy examination, the Vet pointed out to me the swelling under his tail. To cut a long story short…Toffee had a large abscess in one of his anal glands. This was most certainly not visible when I bathed and groomed him yesterday morning and I had not noticed it during my examination of him in the hours preceding the trip to the Vet. She explained to me that he needed immediate surgery - to lance the abscess and flush out the infection. It most certainly would have burst during the night had I not taken him in to the Animal hospital.

Well, it just goes to show, that my instinct is still with me. I must trust that inner voice that alerts me to these things. Doubt is a social construction that seeks to wither away this gift which I clearly have.

Get better soon, dear Toffee!!!

WE PAUSE...AND REMEMBER!

11 September 2001

Sometimes in the midst of our confusion and utter despair,

it's good to pause...

for a moment...

To remember that the universe is greater than ourselves!

May you be comforted and strengthened this day,

as we remember,

with respect,

all the men, women, innocent children and animals, across the world,

who have lost their lives too early.

Caryl Moll

IT'S SAD WHEN YOU HAVE TO BUY HOPE!

This sign has been up, near where we live, for a number of weeks now.

Whilst it purpose is obviously to attract people to an event, my own way of thinking is otherwise.

To me, this sign suggests that I will have to pay for my seat in some way...

Have we really come to the place, in this world, where we have to BUY hope?

Is an outlook to positivity nowadays reliant on paying a fee?

Does the spreading of goodwill and fellowship now require you to dig into your coffers to secure a personally desired outlook?

It's just a question!

RAND PARK PRIMARY SPRING DAY

My favourite day of the year happens in the first week of September every year, when I am asked to be part of the Spring Day Celebrations at

RAND PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL

in South Africa

This is an incredibly special day!

It is the "Randpark Primary Spring day" and is usually a beautiful sunny, South African day! The school is alive with the excitement as each learner brings flowers to school. Masses of bouquets are collected at the Friday assembly and these are later distributed to various Retirement communities in the area. The resident Coral Tree seems to herald in the generosity of this really wonderful school...

Approximately 950 learners gather in the school hall at the beginning of the day for their weekly assembly and the special opportunity of wearing their "Civvies" (non-uniform) clothes.

The assembly is alive with Choirs, Song and celebration!

As the headmaster makes his entrance, all the children hold up their flowers in welcome!

Later, the bouquets are gathered in boxes at the exits of the hall.

These boxes are gathered up and packed into waiting vehicles to be transported to the various Retirement villages.

As you can see, the cars are packed with flowers!!!!

Well this is where I come in...

My special and pleasurable task is to take these flowers to a particular Old age community (Where my own mother resides with about 50 other villagers) at

FAIRLAND VILLAGE

At the village, a team of volunteers awaits to unpack, organise and arrange the various little vases with the beautiful flowers from the children of Rand park Primary School.

It is a full mornings' work!

These arrangements are packed onto trolleys and distributed to the eager villagers.

What a blessing it is to watch their surprise, delight and wonder at an unexpected gift.



This year, a class of grade 3 learners made 'good wishes' cards and each message was soaked up and cherished by the residents.

So, it is with very grateful thanks that we applaud the efforts of this special school!

THANK YOU RAND PARK PRIMARY SCHOOL!

Thank you to Mrs Mol and her team for organising Spring Day!

Thank you to the children and their parents for all your floral gifts!

Thank you to the Principal, Educators and Staff of Rand Park Primary School!

and

Thank you to the various transporters and the teams of volunteers who helped at the villages!

You have truly touched some tender hearts!

Finally I would like to thank you too for allowing me to be part of this special day!

I am so blessed to be part of it all!

Caryl Moll

TRYING TOO HARD.

It's Tuesday...almost Wednesday. Just two more days and then it will be Friday!

Yes, you got it! I'm counting the days to my hecticness again. Ironically I'm wishing the days away, simply because I miss my kids.

As a 'half-nester' (some of my chicks are in the process of flying the coupe), the weekends are treasured times. They are times to absorb the presence of my loved ones; to take in their lives and make up for any lost time.

Ironically though, the weekends end up rather stressful. Not only is it hard work, but it is motivated by an intense desire to make our home the best it can be. My goal is to "Stock the cupboards, plan the meals and cater for their every whim" . My desire is to forecasts their every need and align myself to fulfilling that void. In return, all I desire is their presence and companionship. But it seems that is sometimes a price too high!

Some of my best laid plans.... trip me up! I end up frazzled and frantic, desperate to make it work! The process renders me short-tempered and unattractive. Soon I discover that I have politely been isolated.

Perhaps the lesson here is that I try too hard. Perhaps its better to learn to let go, to have neither expectations nor boundaries. Perhaps then the nestlings which I set free will indeed return and I will know they were truly mine.

I DO SO LOVE THEM!

Oh, how I miss the bush!

Oh how I miss the bush!

The solitude of wide, open, uncomplicated space where I am merely an observer of the ecosystem around me.
The crunch of dry grass under my feet which is ready to ignite with any tiny spark.
The grasshoppers; who jump frantically as I plot out a path with my feet.
The birds and their calls which travel for miles and echo on mountain sides.
The shy animals who occasionally let their guard down to admit me into their space.
The air; all hot and humid, but clean and allowing me to take big, deep and satisfying breaths.
The shadows; the only place for respite from the heat.
The sunsets; unobscured for God to paint his heavenly orange streaks.
The dawn; all dewy with the promise of a new day.
The insects; as they mill about me in their thousands...and their buzz; alive and abundant.

Oh, how I miss the bush!

WHERE TO TURN TO FOR HELP?

Do you sometimes feel extremely alone?

Do you feel that it's like you are on an island with no one else around, surrounded by deep waters that you would prefer not to venture into?

Well, if that's your reality, then you probably are!

The question is: do you WANT to be in that isolated place?

Is that island comforting or confining?

Perhaps you would prefer to remain just where you are. In that case, it is entirely ok.

But what if it is a desperate place, a place of extreme loneliness and despondency? ..and a place where nobody wants to venture towards you?

Look at the picture above...if that turtle is indeed feeling isolated, then there is only one choice -

HE HAS TO REACH OUT!

That turtle could hope that another turtle will find him but why would another turtle take an equally dangerous plunge to venture towards him.

Is it not easier for our turtle to take the plunge himself?

Yes, it will be into deeper water, but there will always be the hope that he can find a better place where there are other turtles to help him. He also has the knowledge that he can indeed swim! He is well equipped to do that too!

Everything boils down to what is our turtle going to do for himself?

All that is stopping him is his own confidence!

What are you going to do about your isolation today?

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

"Christmas in July?" you might ask. Yes, that is what the residents of Fairland Village (a retirement home) in Johannesburg were treated to this past Thursday.

...and what a lovely idea too: to be able to enjoy a Christmas feast in the middle of winter in South Africa. The little village was abuzz with excitement for a good number of weeks as residents pooled their creativity with table decorations, menu's, place settings and ideas. It certainly was a privelege for me to share the excitement of about 50 golden people.

This is a picture of me and my beautiful, graceful 88year old mother. Not many daughters can say that they have had the privilege to ensure the comfort and happiness of their mothers in their golden years. I am very proud of my mom and the manner in which she has shouldered the difficulties in her life. She is a beautiful, loving and warm person, who cares about all her friends and a shining example to those around her. Mom, if you don't know by now:...

I LOVE YOU!

Obviously she is also very well liked by her fellow villagers too.

This is a picture of Mom and her special friend, Sue, just prior to the big lunch.

The kitchen staff were excellent in their food preparation, serving the residents, but especially their happy disposition which was totally contagious.

So to every one out there...it doesn't matter if the timing is supposedly wrong. There is no time like now! so...

Take time to celebrate your life!

WHEN THINGS ARE INJURED

I was sitting in the warm dentist's waiting room yesterday, waiting for my mother to finish her appointment. The sounds of his dental practice were prominent: the shrill sound of his drill, the clutter of tools falling, the receptionist answering phone calls and her chatting away to some waiting patients. I happened to look past the glass door to the outside garden.

There, on the paving, stood the tiniest little olive thrush I’d ever seen. Although it was standing, it was visibly shivering and its little feathers were in disarray. One or two plumes were sticking out obscurely and its back feathers looked wet. It was obviously in trouble. I put down the quilting piece I was sewing and asked the receptionist to buzz me out of the locked door.

As I reached down to pick up the injured bird, it struck me that I was interfering in nature’s ways. But it is instinctive for me to try and help anything injured – to remove it from its trauma. Often, however, I forget that trauma is just a process of life and, by design, necessary.

In the bird’s case, so many dynamics were possible – illness could potentially have made it more susceptible to a possible cat attack or perhaps, for some good ecological reason, it might have been rejected by its parents. There could have been a milliad of other reasons why it was there. My instinct to remove it from its environment and “protect” was misplaced! A change of environment and helping human hands would add further stress to an already frail creature. In addition, I was ill equipped to search and select that special diet that the injured bird needed.

Is this not the perfect analogy to us trying to help our fellow human beings who are traumatised or in pain? Is it not wiser, when someone is distressed to take an emotional step backwards and to view one’s role in the interaction objectively?

“What are the events that have led up to this situation?”
“Is it really wise to remove this person from their situation?”
“Are we really more equipped to handle it than them?”
“Are we taking away from their personal life experience by getting involved?”
“Are we indeed involved? Should we be involved?”

Perhaps one of the greatest gifts we can give someone is simply to “Be there”, to show we care and then allow them to direct the way.

In the bird’s case, I went to fetch a shallow cardboard box from the receptionist and placed it open-lidded in the sun to get warm. I gently lifted the bird into its protection. Then, against all instinct, I went inside, giving it time to recover and decide its own fate. What made it doubly difficult was that I knew there were cats around. But I left it there.

A little while later, when Mom had finished her appointment, we went outside. I glanced sideways to the grass next to the pavement where I’d placed the box. The box was still there, but the bird had gone.

Who knows what its fate was, but the point is...

It was ITS fate, NOT MINE!

Sometimes it is best to just leave things be....

GIANT BRAN MUFFINS

This is one of my favourite muffin recipes which I thought I'd share with you.
Enjoy!

CARYL'S GIANT BRAN MUFFINS

1 3/4 cup Flour

1 cup Nutty wheat

1 cup digestive bran

1 cup Fruit Cake mix

5ml salt

10ml bicarbonate of soda

5ml vanilla essence

2 Eggs

125ml oil

500ml milk

Heat oven to 180C. Spray &Cook large muffin pans (12 muffin cups).

Mix all dry ingredients together. Mix all wet ingredients together. Combine dry with wet ingredients. Scoop mixture into muffin pans.

Bake 20-25 minutes. Enjoy

COSMOS - A PAINTING FROM HEAVEN

We are in the midst of winter at this end of the world and the COSMOS was absolutely beautiful this year. These wild flowers appear in April and line the roads in the highveld. They are a sea of lavendar colour, with pretty, soft yellow centres.

Apparently when the queen of England visited our country in the early 20th century, she thanked her guests for planting these flowers along the train track which she was travelling. Nobody had told her that indeed these flowers grow absolutely wild at that time of the year. They die off in the winter, seed themselves, and then appear in abundance the following year.

Isn't our world amazing?!

ANOTHER COMPLETED QUILT

I thought I'd put up another picture of yet another quilt which I have completed. This time its a smallish quilt...called the "Scrap Quilt" and generally used just as a knee rug. This gave me the opportunity to learn some of the basic techniques. It worked out quite pretty, don't you think?

ps Thanks for all the splendid birthday wishes from you all. I had a fantastic day.

Luv CAM

SCRUB HARE

I didn't know that a scrub hare had such long legs...supposedly to run away from determined photographers....like me, yesterday.

It could look like a miniature kangaroo if it stood up on its hind legs.

Also...Now I know how it got its name; "Scrub Hair".

Oh the world is full of beautiful creatures and this one was very accommodating!