In Which Fuzzy The Squirrel Seems To Blame Me For The Snow

February 24, 2015February 24, 2015 / Ally Bean / 26 Comments

IT’S NOT LIKE I HAVE ANY control over the weather.

However, during this last cold snap I’ve gotten the distinct impression that Fuzzy the Squirrel, our resident goofball + star of many posts, has begun to blame me for the snowfall and wants me to suffer because of it.

I say this because he’s been consistently unwilling to get with the blogging program and permit me the honor of photographing him. He knows that he is a favorite feature on The Spectacled Bean.

~~Idiot squirrel.~~

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THIS NEW BEHAVIOR IS PECULIAR BECAUSE Fuzzy is by nature a show-off who in the past has adored having his photo taken.

Pausing… so that I can get the camera angle adjusted in a way that flatters his well-maintained physique.
Positioning… himself around the grounds so that I can create a glorious tableau vivant.
Pondering… his world so that I can snap a close-up profile shot that flatters his ruggedly handsome features.

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SO WHEN I NOTICED HIM CLIMBING Tree #3479 to his home the other day, I hesitated about grabbing my camera. I wondered if he’d be in the mood for a photo-op, but I decided to try, figuring that Fuzzy couldn’t hold out much longer.

He needs attention.

Thus it is with great pleasure, and the implied blessing of a narcissistic squirrel, that I give you my latest photograph of Fuzzy the Squirrel, titled: ~~Rodent With Bad Attitude In Winter~~ Our Dear Friend Enjoying Winter.

A Mid-Winter Walk Through A Remarkable Cemetery

February 17, 2015July 1, 2025 / Ally Bean / 13 Comments

On Sunday afternoon there was no snow around, so Zen-Den & I decided to go to Spring Grove Cemetery to see what it looked like in the weak winter light. [And yes, it’s the place where I got thrown off the Segway last fall.]

Spring Grove Cemetery, established in 1845, is one of five National Historic Landmark cemeteries in the USA. There are people buried there who were born in the 1700s as well as born last week.

The cemetery is a fascinating place that lends itself to going for a long healthy walk or, if you prefer, a casual ramble. It’s huge: 733 hilly acres, with 15 lakes and 44 miles of roadway. We wandered around on foot for about 2 hours.

No matter what time of year I’ve been to Spring Grove Cemetery, I’ve found something unique, inspiring and/or downright trippy to photograph. In my opinion, it’s worth the time and effort it takes to get there, if history, architecture and contemplation interest you.

Sometimes You Have To Give It Up For Winter’s Beauty

February 6, 2015February 6, 2015 / Ally Bean / 14 Comments

Living in the midwest it’s easy to forget that not all winter days are gloomy. The gray becomes ubiquitous.

So seeing sunshine and blue skies and shimmery snow out my window yesterday made me smile all day. I could even ignore the 14ºF temperature outside.

While it’s true that I enjoy summer’s showy colors, a February landscape dressed in neutrals is appealing, too. It makes me feel grounded.

I believe that sometimes you’ve got to remember to stop and enjoy what is, especially when you live somewhere where a pretty winter day is a rarity. Yesterday, grateful am I.

I Will Not Let One Tulip Get Me Down

January 28, 2015January 28, 2015 / Ally Bean / 33 Comments

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I bought a bouquet of 20 tulips at Kroger because I like how graceful tulips look in a vase and because a bit of cheerful color in mid-winter is a good thing. I put 17 of the tulips in a large vase and set it on our kitchen table.

Upbeat.

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Three of the tulips wouldn’t fit into the large vase so I put them in a smaller crystal bud vase and set the bud vase, on a saucer, on top of the chest of drawers in our bedroom. I liked how the 3 tulips looked reflected in the mirror on the wall above the chest of drawers.

Artsy.

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HOWEVER, a few hours later when I walked back into the bedroom I noticed that 1 tulip had given up. Cracked under the weight of blooming.

Sure it was still a bit of cheerful color, but it was not working with the other tulips to create a tiny uplifting bouquet. And I had the distinct impression that the Universe was messing with me via these 3 tulips.

But you know what? I didn’t care, so I left the tiny bouquet just as it was as a reminder that we all do what we can to make each day special & unique. In our own way. Regardless of what other people may want us to do.

N’est-ce pas?

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