Audio Books For Your Listening Pleasure

I used to think that reading should involve the actual looking at the book, following with your eyes, flipping the pages and smelling that ink! Those days are rare as we have so much more to do daily.

Now, I find myself reading more online, and only carry books to read when I am waiting! Even then, my head is racing with thoughts of chores to be done, and errands to run! Sad, but true! I am trying to catch up with the rush of life, and always worrying about wasting time!

Three years ago, a client gave me a stack of audio books, or book on tapes, when she found out that my commute was an hour and a half each way. She introduced me to reading by listening while I was in traffic, and made my traveling time more enjoyable.


I pass on this joy of audio reading to my son when we are in the car. It becomes quite popular now with us. The best thing is: I can expose my child to more challenging material than he is comfortable with, and make reading more fun.

You can borrow audio books from your local library. They have a wide variety of different subjects for adults and children.

A Yellow Beak Baby Bird

While raking below the pine tree in my front yard, I saw this egg, which looked so much like a little rock that almost went unnoticed.

This pine tree always has bird nests every year, and I often don't see the nests, but just the birds flying in and out of it all day. If I come too close to the tree, I can hear angry chirping went off like fire cracker.

What Bird Am I?


When it comes to nature, I am absolutely in the dark with identifying the names of my objects. Whether it is trees, or flowers, or eggs, or birds, I have no idea what their names are. I love looking at them, and taking pictures of them, but naming them is not possible for me.

Brown Speckle Egg


In this picture, the egg is kind of stand out among the pine needles, but when I saw it, I can't hardly tell it was an egg at all. It was well blended into the ground and its environment. The flash must have gone off when I snapped this picture.

Baby Bird


As I was busy examining the egg, I heard the rustling sound in the prickly bush by the corner. My heart jumps with joy as I saw this yellow beak baby bird standing on the brick wall. It seemed lost, and confused!

Sad Look


I usually set my camera on quiet mode, so as I snapping picture, and moving in for a close up, the baby bird wasn't bother by my presence. It actually looked very well cared for, but a bit sad.

Pretty Bird


Though this yellow beak baby bird seemed lonely and sad, it watched my every move! I kept my distant while my camera zoomed in to the max. My thought was that the baby bird and the egg were somehow connected.

Looking for Mama


The baby bird hopped off the brick, and took a long walk to the other end of my garden. He/she has gray feather, and the only color was his/her yellow beak, which you can vividly see on the side of its mouth.

Hiding and Waiting


When it reached the end of my garden, it stood there in the corner of the rain pipe for a long time. This area was in the clearing, and I was afraid he/she might got hurt. Therefore, I decided to end my photo session and rush it back into the bushes for safety.

So there you have it, tell me what kind of bird it is. Or what kind of egg this is! Are they related?

Check Out Your Local Library

I love going to the library, and I go there at least once a week. My fascination is with the collection of books, magazines, and newspapers. I could spend hours at the library browsing through many different sections of it.

Addition to books, magazines and newspapers, the library now has two rows of computers, audio books, music CDs, and movies for patrons' conveniences. Remarkably how technology has an impact on this old institution! Things have to change to accommodate society's needs.

Photo Credit

Do you know that the library also has many wonderful programs, free of charge? Here are some to check out:

• Laps Story Time
• Toddler Story Time
  
• Pre-School Story time
• Free Movie Night for Family
• Bookmark Coloring Contest
• Teen Night
• Summer Reading Program
• Special Programs, such as Science Live Night, Craft Night, Baby Animals Night, etc..
• Book club for adults

Photo Credit

These days, you can put the library to good use to save money on entertainment, renting movies, or use the computer to search for job. Not only most programs are educational, they are also fun for your children.

I enrolled my son in summer reading, craft time, and signed up for Science Night! He loves it! Last year, he came in second with his bookmark coloring contest and won a $25 gift card!

Keep your children involve in summer reading program to maintain their skills over the summer vacation!

Bee on Sunfire

If you ever get bored taking pictures of things around your yard, get in the car and drive to a close by nursery. Here, you will find a variety of subjects for your liking. Don't mind those people who will be curious about what you are doing.

They don't know any better, but you do! You have a mission, and you will achieve it, despite all those weird stares shooting at you. Being normal is boring, so be daring, and click away!

A Field of Tickseed Sunfire


Yes, I know the name of these flowers, and they are called tickseed sunfires! The name is so fitting, isn't it? I wrote it down in my note book this time since I can't rely on my own memory anymore.

Can You See Me?


While other people shy away from these flowers because of bees, I decided to be the "weirdo" for the day, and come closer for the pictures! I figure if I don't bother the bee, it won't bother me, and I was right!

See Through


You have to click on this photo to look at the see-through bee's body! It is too busy sucking on the honey of this tickseed sunfire to bother with me.

Facing the Bee


This is the front angle of the bee, and its colors are blending in with the flower almost. I was a bit nervous and worried that I might get stung with all buzzing bees around me, but I probably didn't smell anything like flowers in this nursery!

All Mine!


After taking many pictures and watching the bees for a while, I realize that each bee has its own sunfire flower to do its jobs. I didn't see any flowers with two bees on them. To each its own!

Vibrant Colors


This is just a stunning flower with vibrant yellow and red! No wonder it is called sunfire! There are many different types of flowers, but my time was up at this one stop. The bee has all my attention for the day!

Well, this is my adventure for the week...Thank you for coming along with me!

Reach Wandering Dreams

I am due for a rant, and I feel like ranting! Or maybe I should just call this rambling! By now, many of you know that I have three blogs:

• Reach Beyond Limits

• Wandering Thought

• Dances of Dreams (my first dot com site!)

On Reach Beyond Limits, I sign in as BC Doan! On Wandering Thoughts, I sign in as IcyCucky, and on Dances of Dreams, I sign in as Icy BC. However, it is too confusing at times, even for me! So to make things simpler, I now sign as Icy BC, because many of my online friends known me as Icy(Cucky) or BC Doan.

Life is complicated enough, and I had no ideas why I even made it more confusing for myself! Having three blogs keep me very busy, and I'm on my toes with personal responsibilities!


Then Geri at Geri's World, emailed me a post about Google penalizing blogs that run hidden codes in their templates by removing their page rank. Coincidentally, I also found another post about this same issue!

Well, for some reasons, Wandering Thoughts is having a hard time registered a page rank! I really have no ideas why, and I finally don't care anymore!

Just as I don't care where the Hot Content goes on Triond website, but people want it back in theirs dashboards! Why, I am asking you why do you want that Hot Content in your personal space? Shouldn't it be all about your statistics instead of a list of articles, not to mention a few that parked there like an eye sore?


The Hot Content is not what it used to, when it had some meaning, to me at least! Now, it is all screwed up with no virtues! So, really I don't care where it goes! But I would rather it's not in my dashboard...Too late, I've lost; it is now in my dashboard without me having a say!

I do not understand why people like to stir things up so much? Why can't we just leave it the way it is? And why Triond is the only website to pick on? I do not see any of these turmoils going on at other writing websites at all. They do what they please! They showcase what and whom they want!

Personally, I consider Triond as another person's home! If I go into that home, I check my shoes at the door, and if it is enjoyable, I will be back! If I am uncomfortable with how the furniture is arranged in that house, I will visit less. Simple!

There are choices in life; I chose peace, and this is my rant for the month!

Unusual and Unique Plants

Looking through my hard drive, I found these wonderful and unique looking plants, and had no idea what their names are.

They are, of course, can be seen at Belle Isle Conservatory in early March. When I returned in April, they were not there anymore. The flowers had been long gone!

Curve Up In balls

I saw this branch full of red balls, and reached out onto walk way around the Conservatory! They look so strange, but amazing.

»»☕»» Discover More »»☕»»

Puppies Fever

It is about that time of the year when you see puppies everywhere you go! Spring litters are my favorite, because the weather in Michigan is milder which allowing us more time outside.

Well, I have puppy fever, and looking online for pictures to gaze at when I saw TailsRWagging. I have not seen such a comprehensive site about dog before. This site has many sections to browse through such as: doggy daycare, dog grooming, online store, pet minding, and best of all, pick of the litter!

Creative Commons--Photo Credit

I am sure you know where I spend my time! Under pick of the litter section, you will also get to meet the puppies that are ready to go to good home. There is one particular cute spoodles male that my heart sets on! He is a mixed of Spaniel and Poodle!

From what I've read on this website, they care about the well being of their puppies, and have staffs to answer all your questions including heartworms for dogs medication, vaccination schedule, to anything related to dogs.

I am impressed with this website overall, and if I live closer to TailsRWagging, I would be at this kennel everyday to visit those adorable puppies.

Pictures of Different Orchids

I am a nut when it comes to taking pictures of flowers! Some pictures come easy and turn out wonderful, while others are very challenging.

Orchids are beautiful and very intriguing! They come in different sizes, shapes, colors, and unique in their own ways. Below is a collection of pictures of different orchids.

A Cluster of Orchids


These orchids grow in a cluster, and the flowers are just beautiful! I count at least five flowers in this one branch.

Two Orange Orchids


These two orange orchids look so delicate, and the specs on these flowers are very unique. I forgot what colors the specs were, but I think they are either red or purple.

Open Face


This is a normal orchid that you will see most everywhere. The petals are much thicker, and have round shape.

Two Yellow Orchids


These yellow orchids are light and cheery. They are beautiful, sturdy looking, and you can find them even in the supermarkets.

One Unique Orchid


This is one strange orchid but it is all open to show the uniqueness of its face. I couldn't get any closer to this orchid to see it in more detail.

Red-Orange Cluster


These orchids look like a group of dancers! I like the orange, yellow, and pink colors combination of these flowers.

Greenish-Yellow Orchid


There are so many different kinds of orchids at Belle Isle Conservatory, and they seem to bloom all year round.

Green and Pink Orchids


Nature plays such a beautiful symphony of colors in these flowers. I haven't seen any color in flowers that I don't like.

Pink Orchids


Isn't it a beautiful shade of pink? I like that little touch of yellow and a darker shade of pink at the center of this orchid.

Just Pretty


This orchid has such a lovely shape, as if it was just open not long ago! Some petals are still covered the center, and the color is indescribable.

I hope you enjoy looking at these orchid at much as I do!

Mauna Loa

These mauna loa flowers are among favorites in many malls across the country. Usually we see only white mauna loa, but at Belle Ilse, I saw these pink and red flowers which are just spectacular to see.

When I wrote Purify Indoor Air with Houseplants, I found out that mauna loa is one of the best non-poisonous plants to have indoor to help with cleaning the air. If you have time, hop over to read this article to know more about other houseplants.

Pink Mauna Loa


I just like the simplicity of this plant and its flower. It is very elegant and unique! This pink mauna flower is just soft to the eyes, and catches my attention.

Slightly Different Angle


I tried different angles, but these were the best pictures that my camera produced! It was difficult to get it right since I am not a professional photographer, and I do not have a macro lens to play with.

Lavender Mauna Loa


I am not quite sure what color this was, but it looks more like lavender! I like how this flower leaning toward one side. I wish I have more pictures of this mauna loa, but this is the only one!

Floating


This mauna loa looks as if it is not connected to anything and just floating in the air. I've tried to keep this plant indoor at home, but my "black thumbs" killed them all and gave up with houseplants!

Red Mauna Loa


This is the red mauna loa at Belle Isle, and you can see the shape of this flower is different from the pink one above. The red petal is rounder and showing more texture than the pink petal.

Growing


I went through my camera to find more pictures of these mauna loa, but these six are all that I can find. I remember the thought of giving up on taking pictures of these flowers because the angles were all wrong!

It was fun to try doing something new. Taking pictures of these mauna loa flowers were both frustrating and exciting at the same time.

Improve Your Google Page Rank

My blog used to have a page rank of 2, and though at that time I had no idea how important Google page rank is to a website. I just love writing in my blog, and that was all I really care about. It never occurred to me that to survive on the internet, my blog must have a decent page rank.

Image by moorpheuss

However, after looking into paid ad reviews, I realized that my blog must have a page rank of two in order for me to get opportunities. Last week, my blog registered a page rank of 2, and then over night, it disappeared again!

I am constantly trying to improve my blog by reading many articles online to learn how to accomplish this task, and I come across this article "Google Page Rank Calculation Chart."

In this article, you will understand:

• The important of backlinks

• How Google ranks your page

• What the page rank number means in Google's eyes

• How you can accomplish this.

As I understand, the more people link to your site, the more Google will send people to it, and resulting in a higher page rank. Visit other sites, leave comments, and hopefully one of those sites will link back to yours.

I am including the page rank checker in this post so you can check out any site you want to know.

With a bit of elbow grease, it is possible to get a better page rank for your site!

The Muddy Players

Two weeks ago, JoJo had a soccer game, and it had been raining for two days prior to the game. As you can guess, the field was soaked, and there were so many puddles to even count.

There was no way for the kids to avoid getting muddy. The players were wet, and decorated with mud like war heroes!

Re-Group


Coach was giving them a pep talk after the first quarter! Since I was not sure if it was ok to take the kids pictures and put them on my blog, I went with a safer route with just their backs and their feet.

Getting Down to Business


Serious game strategy was being discussed, and this team had won all their games up to this point. They were not about to lose a game because of the muddy field.

Half-Time


When half-time rolled around, the kids were heavily soak in mud. Their shoes and socks were in deep water, but their spirit were still high.

Back at Home


Well, if you think I was crazy taking picture of everything, you are not alone! JoJo said the same thing, but I thought to capture this moment was just great...

Number Nine


The shirt seemed to survive the mud better than the socks. Every time the player ran, you could see the mud shooting up onto their bodies. It was really something to see! Luckily, the weather was tolerable enough without making them sick.

Orange Socks or Brown Socks?


You could hardly see the orange socks anymore! I had to rinse his muddy clothes outside before I could put them in the washer, and the shoes had to try in the sun.

The Muddy Boy


You can't see the mud on JoJo's face clearly in this picture! He was worn out after the game, and ready to go back to bed. He scored one goal in this game!

Soccer is one of JoJo's favorite sports, and he can play all day with his soccer ball! He uses my neighbor's garage wall to kick the ball around, and I am afraid one of these days that privilege will be all gone since that house is now for sale!