Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.
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83 thoughts on “Sunday Stills: I’ve Looked at Clouds that Way”
What an artist. Saw her at Mershon Auditorium, Ohio State University, back in the 80’s/90’s?
Hi, John – Thanks so much for keeping in touch. I would have loved to have seen Joni in concert (then or now). You are very fortunate! Please say hello to Donna for me!
Ahh … clouds are amazing and it depends, sometimes they are so striking I fear I will fall and stumble as I’m awed by the artistry across the skies. Other times the clouds are the perfect backdrop to a closer scene. Lovely post to start my Sunday morning, Donna!
I love how you’re putting little twists on these challenges Donna (and throwing in a bit of musical inspiration along the way). Very pretty clouds indeed.
Hi, Leanne – #SundayStills has proven a great way to nudge my muse out of hiding. I love how Terri’s prompts often lead to a song that I love but haven’t heard for a while. I look forward to catching up soon
Hi Donna – wonderful song … sometimes I look at the clouds and think oh oh … heavy rain on the way – then the westerlies blow them away. Great reflections and seeing life around VI … all the best Hilary
I’m now looking out at snow clouds .. slate grey, light grey, some white or cream … puttling across the blue sky … with the sun on the clouds for now … but that white stuff is around the UK … and we’ll get some tonight. Funny weather though … it was freezing, freezing last night, but by the time I got up it had clouded over and was relatively warm … but thick frost and clear skies in the night.- I now await the white stuff! Fun times …
Hi, Hilary – Our weather has been strange as well. Two days ago I was barefoot on the beach in Tofino. Today we have a snowstorm warning for Vancouver and Vancouver Island. So far, that prediction has not come true (but I’m sitting near my fireplace just in case). I love your reflections on clouds.
Hi, Jill – I have never thought of it this way before but you are absolutely right. Clouds are amazing storytellers. I will listen more carefully the next time that I am out!
There is a good reason why Joni Mitchell is in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, clouds are nature’s great artistries on that canvas in the sky. Here’s a beach walk for you and your readers about Clouds. https://beachwalkreflections.wordpress.com/2020/11/21/12-clouds/
Hi, Frank – Thanks so much for stopping by. I just visited your Clouds posts. Your photography is brilliant. I encourage others to visit your site and check out your posts. I know that they won’t be disappointed!
Hi, Mona – I love Joni’s ‘River’ as well. That song evokes so much emotion. I think that photo essays have already been done for that so I’m off the hook! 😀
Hi, Laurie – When I lived in Beijing, I desperately missed white fluffy clouds (they were rare there — at least when I was looking). Thankfully, they are plentiful on Vancouver Island. I can never get enough of them!
Hi, Pete – That’s a great way to express it. When I am looking at clouds, I often get so drawn in that everything else fades away (and vice versa) You’ve given a great reminder to enjoy the whole buffet!
Lovely, Donna! I spent many a childhood afternoon lying in the grass and looking up at the clouds and spinning stories in my head about the shapes I saw within. Thanks for reminding me to look at the clouds more often.
Awesome image, Deb! I know that you don’t want to write a memoir. But….I would love to read it, and I would buy multiple copies for my friends. Just sayin’!
Thanks, Bethany – I love that photo too. A friend and I were trying to walk along the beach that day, but the tide was high so that’s as far as we got before we had to detour! 😀
Hi, Kirstin – Thanks so much for dropping by. I just tried to visit your site but I couldn’t get there by clicking on your name. Please share your blog link with me — I would love to check it out!
Perfect post for Sunday Stills, Donna. I believe clouds take center stage even in their subtlety. Love Joni Mitchell and this song. Thanks for sharing that and your beautiful clouds!
Hi, Terri – Thank you for all that you do in preparing these challenges and linkups. They have been excellent for pushing my muse out of hiding! Awesome themes!
Are the February themes established yet? I love writing in advance (much less pressure). 😀
You are quite welcome and I’m enjoying your photography and creative pieces each week, Donna. I plan to prep February very soon and will include the page link in my next post. Any ideas for themes for February, or beyond? I’m open for ideas 💡
Hi, Terri – Thank you for your kind words — and for welcoming feedback. I’ve greatly enjoyed your prompts so am hesitant to suggest anything that you’ve done before, or is simply substandard. 😦
I am currently taking a smartphone photography class (along with Deb from The Widow Badass). For our homework, we need to take shots that focus on one photography aspect (e.g. grid, flash, filter, timer, exposure, zoom….). One of these themes could be fun — and could definitely have a double meaning!
Oh how I love that song… I’m reading Rick Stein’s memoir at present – Under A Mackeral Sky…and the term Mackeral Sky refers to a particular cloud formation. The things you learn, ay?
Hi, Jo – It is incredible where we learn cool things. I’ve already learned a great deal from the comments for this post. I am off to check out Mackeral Sky images now! 😀
Hi, Ingrid – I agree about the fascinating, ever-changing skies. For the past few days, we were flooded with snowstorm warnings for today. So far, the sky is clear, bright and dry. Fingers crossed the warnings don’t come true!
Who doesn’t love Joni Mitchell? And clouds… they can be so many things: mysterious, ominous, playful, evocative, and just plain gorgeous. You’ve captured them beautifully!
Thanks so much, Janis. I just returned from visiting your #SundayStills post. I totally want to learn how to do the slidey-thing you did with your botanical gardens photo. That was so cool!
I love that Joni Mitchell song and the minute i saw the title she sprang to mind. You’ve done a great job at illustrating how clouds can steal the show or hide like shy children. I always feel as though I have found treasure when a sky full of clouds is reflected in a mirror like body of water.
Hi Donna, I love your photos of Quadra island and Craig Bay. The reflections make the clouds into a circle. Thank you for Joni’s beautiful song and vocals. Have a great week ahead!
Thanks, Natalie – Thanks so much for your kind words. My desire to constantly photograph clouds, and other scenery, definitely slows down my hiking! I’m grateful to be able to use some of these photographs so I can justify further dawdling as I hike! 😀 I hope that all is well with you.
Exceptional photos, Donna! It is interesting what our eyes will notice when we focus in on a theme. I greatly enjoy how you added a title/thought to each photo.💕
Hi, Erica – You are absolutely right about the different things that we notice when focusing on a theme. #SundayStills has been perfect for showing me things that have been hiding in plain sight! 😀
Hi, Diane – Thank you so much for dropping by and for your uplifting comment. #SundayStills has helped me get out of my blogging rut. Hopefully, I can now stay out of it. I hope that all is well with you.
Thank you for the beautiful post and photos Donna. And for Joni’s song and adding her excerpted words right at the end. Joni is one of my heroes in many ways. But before I wax lyrical about her and clouds and become fully diverted, let me just say thank you. Have a wonderful week. Hard to believe the end of January is in sight …
What a great way of looking at this challenge Donna, I love it! Are they the main event or the background, great question!! Your photos are perfect for this prompt :). That Joni Mitchell song is just lovely and very fitting.
Today has been one of those cloudy days with all cloud cover and no sunshine. I think we are going to have snow tomorrow – it’s in the air. I much prefer the puffy clouds that blow across the sky – those are invigorating! Thanks for sharing these pictures, Donna. Hope you are doing well 🙂
Hi, Barbara – We’ve had snowstorm warnings on Vancouver Island for two days now. So far, all that we have received is some slushy rain. I’m definitely not complaining!! 😀
I know how you feel. It’s sleeting here right now and I need to go to work in about an hour. Should be fine though because I think the temperatures are supposed to rise. Not a fan of our 2-lane country roads in icy weather! Take care, Donna.
Clouds remind us that sunny days are nice, but we need a backdrop (or even foreground sometimes) of drama and storms and puffy lightness to help us realize how incredible life is.
Your photos are fabulous. And I sing Joni’s song in my head often throughout the years. xo
Hi, Pam – Thank you for adding these wise words. Sometimes we all need a gentle reminder of just how incredible life is.
I hope that all is well for you.
Thick clouds and snowing here. Incredibly beautiful, with tree branches hanging delicately dressed in white. But… not walking weather. ;-0 Again I’m reminded to take the good with the bad, and the other way around. xo
Beautiful pics, Donna. I love clouds; they are often the main event in my photos. Of course, there have been times when I have cursed the clouds…when I’m on the beach, hoping for some sun. But more often than not, I am in awe of their beauty. Also, that song brings back memories. I love it!
Hi, Christie – Thanks so much for dropping by. I also love clouds (especially white fluffy ones dotted across a clear blue sky). But I do agree when they hide the sun at the beach — that can be a real drag!
Hi, Jude – Good eye! I put my Craig Bay Photo in a cloud-shaped photo frame (using free Canva.com). I then superimposed that photo over the same base photo (also using Canva) Quick, easy and something different. Thanks so much for stopping by!
See you next week.
Retirement Reflections 
What an artist. Saw her at Mershon Auditorium, Ohio State University, back in the 80’s/90’s?
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Hi, John – Thanks so much for keeping in touch. I would have loved to have seen Joni in concert (then or now). You are very fortunate! Please say hello to Donna for me!
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Ahh … clouds are amazing and it depends, sometimes they are so striking I fear I will fall and stumble as I’m awed by the artistry across the skies. Other times the clouds are the perfect backdrop to a closer scene. Lovely post to start my Sunday morning, Donna!
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Hi, Annika – You are such an amazing writer. Even your comments are poetic! I love the expressions that you have used here.
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I love how you’re putting little twists on these challenges Donna (and throwing in a bit of musical inspiration along the way). Very pretty clouds indeed.
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Hi, Leanne – #SundayStills has proven a great way to nudge my muse out of hiding. I love how Terri’s prompts often lead to a song that I love but haven’t heard for a while. I look forward to catching up soon
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Hi Donna – wonderful song … sometimes I look at the clouds and think oh oh … heavy rain on the way – then the westerlies blow them away. Great reflections and seeing life around VI … all the best Hilary
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I’m now looking out at snow clouds .. slate grey, light grey, some white or cream … puttling across the blue sky … with the sun on the clouds for now … but that white stuff is around the UK … and we’ll get some tonight. Funny weather though … it was freezing, freezing last night, but by the time I got up it had clouded over and was relatively warm … but thick frost and clear skies in the night.- I now await the white stuff! Fun times …
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Hi, Hilary – Our weather has been strange as well. Two days ago I was barefoot on the beach in Tofino. Today we have a snowstorm warning for Vancouver and Vancouver Island. So far, that prediction has not come true (but I’m sitting near my fireplace just in case). I love your reflections on clouds.
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CLouds and Joni Mitchell make for a beautiful start to a Sunday. Thanks a bunch.
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Don’t they just?! I love Joni and have not heard her for a while. I hope that the rest of your Sunday is great as well!
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Clouds can be magnificent storytellers. Beautiful photos, Donna. Thanks for sharing. Wishing you a peaceful Sunday.❤️
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Hi, Jill – I have never thought of it this way before but you are absolutely right. Clouds are amazing storytellers. I will listen more carefully the next time that I am out!
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There is a good reason why Joni Mitchell is in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, clouds are nature’s great artistries on that canvas in the sky. Here’s a beach walk for you and your readers about Clouds. https://beachwalkreflections.wordpress.com/2020/11/21/12-clouds/
LikeLike
Hi, Frank – Thanks so much for stopping by. I just visited your Clouds posts. Your photography is brilliant. I encourage others to visit your site and check out your posts. I know that they won’t be disappointed!
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Fantastic pictures, and nice segue to Joni 🙂 Beautiful post !
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Thanks, Aimer. Who doesn’t love, Joni?! 😀
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Great photos. I can see a photo essay about Joni’s River.
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Hi, Mona – I love Joni’s ‘River’ as well. That song evokes so much emotion. I think that photo essays have already been done for that so I’m off the hook! 😀
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One of my absolute favorite singer/song writers. As for clouds…I notice them always.
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Hi, Laurie – When I lived in Beijing, I desperately missed white fluffy clouds (they were rare there — at least when I was looking). Thankfully, they are plentiful on Vancouver Island. I can never get enough of them!
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Clouds are often the reason I put down whatever I’m working on and head out with my camera.
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Hi, Dawn – That sounds like an excellent reason to me. Thanks so much for stopping by!
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Clouds are part of the main course, but it’s the whole meal that makes it special.
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Hi, Pete – That’s a great way to express it. When I am looking at clouds, I often get so drawn in that everything else fades away (and vice versa) You’ve given a great reminder to enjoy the whole buffet!
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Lovely, Donna! I spent many a childhood afternoon lying in the grass and looking up at the clouds and spinning stories in my head about the shapes I saw within. Thanks for reminding me to look at the clouds more often.
Deb
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Awesome image, Deb! I know that you don’t want to write a memoir. But….I would love to read it, and I would buy multiple copies for my friends. Just sayin’!
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Beautiful! My favorite was the first picture, of the cloud reflected in the water.
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Thanks, Bethany – I love that photo too. A friend and I were trying to walk along the beach that day, but the tide was high so that’s as far as we got before we had to detour! 😀
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I love clouds and trees. Sometimes I forget what I was trying to capture in a photo. Love this!!
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Thanks, Tracey – Clouds and trees are so amazing. They each have their own individual personalities. They feel like friends as I walk along.
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Love these and love that song too. I’ve been enjoying this challenge so much. And loved finding new people to follow
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Hi, Kirstin – Thanks so much for dropping by. I just tried to visit your site but I couldn’t get there by clicking on your name. Please share your blog link with me — I would love to check it out!
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Perfect post for Sunday Stills, Donna. I believe clouds take center stage even in their subtlety. Love Joni Mitchell and this song. Thanks for sharing that and your beautiful clouds!
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Hi, Terri – Thank you for all that you do in preparing these challenges and linkups. They have been excellent for pushing my muse out of hiding! Awesome themes!
Are the February themes established yet? I love writing in advance (much less pressure). 😀
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You are quite welcome and I’m enjoying your photography and creative pieces each week, Donna. I plan to prep February very soon and will include the page link in my next post. Any ideas for themes for February, or beyond? I’m open for ideas 💡
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Hi, Terri – Thank you for your kind words — and for welcoming feedback. I’ve greatly enjoyed your prompts so am hesitant to suggest anything that you’ve done before, or is simply substandard. 😦
I am currently taking a smartphone photography class (along with Deb from The Widow Badass). For our homework, we need to take shots that focus on one photography aspect (e.g. grid, flash, filter, timer, exposure, zoom….). One of these themes could be fun — and could definitely have a double meaning!
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Love her! Most of the time I love clouds too!
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Hi, Kate – I like your qualifier about your love of clouds. I can totally relate to that.
I hope that your move is going well.
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So far so good.
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Oh how I love that song… I’m reading Rick Stein’s memoir at present – Under A Mackeral Sky…and the term Mackeral Sky refers to a particular cloud formation. The things you learn, ay?
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Hi, Jo – It is incredible where we learn cool things. I’ve already learned a great deal from the comments for this post. I am off to check out Mackeral Sky images now! 😀
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I love how you always add an extra dimension to the Sunday Stills photo challenge, Donna. Beautiful compositions. Happy Sunday!
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Thanks, Liesbet – I greatly appreciate your kind words. Wishing a happy Sunday to you, Mark and Maya as well!
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I’m always fascinated by the ever changing sky and find myself photographing clouds frequently. Great images for the Sunday Stills theme.
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Hi, Ingrid – I agree about the fascinating, ever-changing skies. For the past few days, we were flooded with snowstorm warnings for today. So far, the sky is clear, bright and dry. Fingers crossed the warnings don’t come true!
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Who doesn’t love Joni Mitchell? And clouds… they can be so many things: mysterious, ominous, playful, evocative, and just plain gorgeous. You’ve captured them beautifully!
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Thanks so much, Janis. I just returned from visiting your #SundayStills post. I totally want to learn how to do the slidey-thing you did with your botanical gardens photo. That was so cool!
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I love that Joni Mitchell song and the minute i saw the title she sprang to mind. You’ve done a great job at illustrating how clouds can steal the show or hide like shy children. I always feel as though I have found treasure when a sky full of clouds is reflected in a mirror like body of water.
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Hi, Sue – The sky does hold so many amazing treasures. I need to remind myself to look up more often!
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Hi Donna, I love your photos of Quadra island and Craig Bay. The reflections make the clouds into a circle. Thank you for Joni’s beautiful song and vocals. Have a great week ahead!
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Thanks, Natalie – Thanks so much for your kind words. My desire to constantly photograph clouds, and other scenery, definitely slows down my hiking! I’m grateful to be able to use some of these photographs so I can justify further dawdling as I hike! 😀 I hope that all is well with you.
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Exceptional photos, Donna! It is interesting what our eyes will notice when we focus in on a theme. I greatly enjoy how you added a title/thought to each photo.💕
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Hi, Erica – You are absolutely right about the different things that we notice when focusing on a theme. #SundayStills has been perfect for showing me things that have been hiding in plain sight! 😀
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Hey Donna! Love your clouds and especially your perspective. Thank you. ~Kathy
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Thanks, Kathy – I greatly appreciate you dropping by!
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You made my day, Donna, not only with your focus on Joni’s beautiful, haunting song, but with your lovely photos! Thank you!
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Hi, Diane – Thank you so much for dropping by and for your uplifting comment. #SundayStills has helped me get out of my blogging rut. Hopefully, I can now stay out of it. I hope that all is well with you.
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Thank you for the beautiful post and photos Donna. And for Joni’s song and adding her excerpted words right at the end. Joni is one of my heroes in many ways. But before I wax lyrical about her and clouds and become fully diverted, let me just say thank you. Have a wonderful week. Hard to believe the end of January is in sight …
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Hi, Susan – Thank you for your kind words. I share your love and admiration for Joni’s magic. Sending you warm (germ-free hugs) across the miles!
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What a great way of looking at this challenge Donna, I love it! Are they the main event or the background, great question!! Your photos are perfect for this prompt :). That Joni Mitchell song is just lovely and very fitting.
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Thanks, Debbie – I am loving Terr’s challenges — and seeing you there with me. I look forward to her February prompt reveal!
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I giggled at “upstage a more interesting story”. What was going on with that hacksaw?
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Thanks for noticing the saw, Jacqui. It was so out of place, alone on that part of the trail. It made me immensely curious!
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I’m going to be singing that song under my breath all day, lol. Beautiful views of clouds and ocean sanctuaries ❤
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I totally get it, Jacquie. I’ve been singing ‘Both Sides Now’ for a week and a half (ever since I first drafted this post). It’s a definite earworm! 😀
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Today has been one of those cloudy days with all cloud cover and no sunshine. I think we are going to have snow tomorrow – it’s in the air. I much prefer the puffy clouds that blow across the sky – those are invigorating! Thanks for sharing these pictures, Donna. Hope you are doing well 🙂
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Hi, Barbara – We’ve had snowstorm warnings on Vancouver Island for two days now. So far, all that we have received is some slushy rain. I’m definitely not complaining!! 😀
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I know how you feel. It’s sleeting here right now and I need to go to work in about an hour. Should be fine though because I think the temperatures are supposed to rise. Not a fan of our 2-lane country roads in icy weather! Take care, Donna.
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Hi, Barb – I don’t blame you for not being a fan of that kind of driving. Stay safe!
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Clouds remind us that sunny days are nice, but we need a backdrop (or even foreground sometimes) of drama and storms and puffy lightness to help us realize how incredible life is.
Your photos are fabulous. And I sing Joni’s song in my head often throughout the years. xo
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Hi, Pam – Thank you for adding these wise words. Sometimes we all need a gentle reminder of just how incredible life is.
I hope that all is well for you.
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Thick clouds and snowing here. Incredibly beautiful, with tree branches hanging delicately dressed in white. But… not walking weather. ;-0 Again I’m reminded to take the good with the bad, and the other way around. xo
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As always, I love your positive attitude!
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Beautiful pics, Donna. I love clouds; they are often the main event in my photos. Of course, there have been times when I have cursed the clouds…when I’m on the beach, hoping for some sun. But more often than not, I am in awe of their beauty. Also, that song brings back memories. I love it!
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Hi, Christie – Thanks so much for dropping by. I also love clouds (especially white fluffy ones dotted across a clear blue sky). But I do agree when they hide the sun at the beach — that can be a real drag!
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That first picture takes my breath away. And I agree with everyone, who doesn’t love Joni and that song? Thanks for sharing both pictures and song!
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Hi, Marsha – You are always so kind (no wonder I love to follow you)! I hope to see you at #SundayStills again this week!
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What a sweet thing to say, Donna. I’ll be there!
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See you tomorrow!
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Very interesting effect in that Craig Bay photo. How did you do that?!!
Jude
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Hi, Jude – Good eye! I put my Craig Bay Photo in a cloud-shaped photo frame (using free Canva.com). I then superimposed that photo over the same base photo (also using Canva) Quick, easy and something different. Thanks so much for stopping by!
See you next week.
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