2026 Blogging from A to Z Reveal#AtoZChallenge

It's that time again!  Are you surprised to see two Wednesday posts from me?  Don't be surprised. 

For several years, I participated in an April long blogging challenge called Blogging from A to Z.  In 2025, though, I didn't have either the time or the ambition to participate in A to Z.  I did it somewhat unofficially, though - I didn't sign up and I didn't blog daily, but when I did blog I followed the format of the challenge, and read a number of blogs participating in the Challenge.

I was thinking, on and off, about trying to participate this year, when I suddenly (thanks to a blog I read) discovered that it was theme reveal time.  It's also past time to reclaim my blogging life.  There are several blogs I discovered in previous A to Zs, which I still read and enjoy (you know who you are).  This challenge has enriched my life in the past.

I decided to listen to my inner voice, and see if I can blog every day in April, AND, visit and comment on the blogs of other A to Zers (an integral part of the Challenge).  If you are interested you can find out more at this website.

So, my theme.

I have an extensive photo library of the last nine or so years.  Why not take advantage of that?

My theme?   Beauty of Our Land.

My photo library has many memories wrapped up in it.  It has photos of travels, everyday life, a cruise I took a couple of years ago, skies, and many, many flowers.  Most pictures were taken in the United States.  Some were taken in Canada.  

Let's go exploring together.

Hope to see you in April!  

Flowers in Winter? Part 2 #WordlessWednesday

Last week, I blogged about a Lenten Rose that had budded out in late December before being subjected to our winter weather.  Snow protected it from cold temperatures but when the snow disappeared, I wasn't sure if the buds had survived. 

It was springlike yesterday and the day before where I live in the Northeast United States, so I investigated the plant yesterday.  Yesterday, in fact, it got up to 74F (23.3C).  Sometimes, that happens where I live but this is not that common.

So, what did I see?

Happy dance!

The only problem is, winter will be returning later today. Early next week, in fact, the temperature is expected to dip into the teens F (approximately -7 C).

So the saga isn't over yet.  I can only hope for the best.  

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday. 

 

It Might as Well be Spring #MusicMoves Me

It's Monday, and it's time for music. 

Who are the Music Moves Me bloggers?

We are a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post link may be labeled "No Music" or even removed.)   We have occasional theme weeks, but you are welcome to ignore the theme and use music of your choice.  Why not join us?  You don't have to sing, or play an instrument.  All music lovers are welcome.  

Last week, our theme was: "the early Roman began the calendar year with March because it brought the first day of spring and new beginnings. The approaching changing seasons with the evidence of life’s return is visible in our area and perhaps where you live, too. Pick songs that reflect the mood of sunny spring weather."  I am a week late, but, hey, today we are even closer to spring where I live.

Ah, if only we had sunny spring weather in my area, but many of the signs of spring being just around the corner are here.  We've had unseasonable warm weather the last two days, but it will all end by Thursday, when the cold weather returns.  But it will be back!  So, on to the music.

1965 brought us Feeling Good from Nina Simone. This is a cover of the song from the 1964 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd, but Nina Simone's version is what many think of when they hear this song.

It Might as Well be Spring was a song in the 1945 film State Fair and has been covered many times.  This is from Frank Sinatra.  

April in Paris, from Count Basie and his Orchestra. 

The birds are singing once again.  Cosmo Sheldrake created an album based on the songs of endangered birds in Great Britain.  This is his Dawn Chorus. 

And that's a wrap!

Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me. 

Snow and Grass #ShadowshotSunday

Late February and March weather, where I live, is changeable.  

Take these two selfies, taken a day apart.

March 1.

February 28 (near to where the first picture was taken).

We briefly hit 60F (15.5C) yesterday.  It may be in the 70's (21C) by Tuesday.  The snow is almost melted.

Then, back to the freezer, and maybe snow showers by Thursday.  Meanwhile, I'll try to recover from the change to Daylight Saving Time.  

Joining Lisa at This and That: A Blog, for her #ShadowshotSunday.
 

Blood Moon Fail #SkywatchFriday

Weather is not the friend of someone wanting to see celestial events, especially if you live in the Southern Tier of New York.  And, it's the winter.

I've been clouded out of meteor showers, eclipses of the moon, and even a total eclipse of the sun. 

So, March 3 around 6:33 am, there was a blood moon, a total eclipse of the moon that was setting as totality began, and a sunrise, all at the same time.  A once in a life time event.  

For some people, anyway.  Here, the sky was (surprise) white.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Afternoon of March 2.  Looks promising, doesn't it?

"Enjoy your clear sky while you can", the sky seemed to say.  "You know what's going to happen next, don't you?"

That night...yes, there come the clouds. 

The almost full moon is the big white dot.  The small blue dot is an iPhone thing and you can ignore it.

It was darker than it looks.  I had to leave my porch light on because I have poor night vision.  I somehow knew that the following morning would be an epic fail.
At least I got some good sky pictures and some fresh air. 

I hope someone from #SkywatchFriday, brought to us each week by Yogi, was able to take some pictures.

Did you get to see it? 

Flowers in Winter? #WordlessWednesday

This white Lenten Rose has been buried under snow in my Southern Tier of New York garden since late December (more or less).  

Finally, this weekend, with snow melting, it made an appearance but the buds already weren't looking good.   

After these pictures were taken, a cold front came through, and the temperature dipped down to 11 degrees F (-11C). Because we had freezing drizzle yesterday, I haven't gone out to see if the buds survived.  

But now the temperatures will be warming up again.

Sometimes, when there is no snow cover, this plant's buds die and there are no blooms for another year. The next few days will tell the story. 

Joining Sandee at Comedy Plus for her #WordlessWednesday. 

Goodbye Neil #MusicMovesMe

It's Monday, and it's time for music. 

Who are the Music Moves Me bloggers?

We are a group of music loving bloggers who blog about music each Sunday or Monday (or even later in the week). If you have music to share with us, you are most welcome to join! (Music Posts Only-meaning at least one music video, please! Otherwise, your post link may be labeled "No Music" or even removed.)   We have occasional theme weeks, but you are welcome to ignore the theme and use music of your choice.  Why not join us?  You don't have to sing, or play an instrument.  All music lovers are welcome.  

Today, our theme is: "the early Roman began the calendar year with March because it brought the first day of spring and new beginnings. The approaching changing seasons with the evidence of life’s return is visible in our area and perhaps where you live, too. Pick songs that reflect the mood of sunny spring weather."  But, my mood isn't sunny today because I have to report on another induction into Rock and Roll Heaven.  (I'm delaying my theme post until next week).

Neil Sedaka, singer, songwriter, and a favorite of my childhood, died Friday at the age of 86.  His musical career spanned several decades, from the 1950's to the present day.

He was an original member of the Tokens before leaving for a solo career in 1958 (before the Token's iconic hit The Lion Sleeps Tonight).  His first solo hit was Breaking Up is Hard to Do (see more below), but his career stalled when Beatlemania arrived on our United States shores.  But he returned to the chartsin the 1970's, encouraged by Elton John, with Laughter in the rain.

Sedaka collaborated with many greats, including Connie Francis, Tom Jones, and Frank Sinatra. One songwriting partner was Howard Greenfield (a neighbor).  Sedaka usually wrote music, but could also write lyrics.

Written or co-written by Neil Sedaka: 

Connie Francis and Stupid Cupid. 

The Captain and Tennille - Love Will Keep Us Together.

The Monkees - When Love Comes Knocking (At Your Door).

And his own hits:  first, Happy Birthday Sweet 16. 

Calendar Girl.  

Laughter in the Rain. 

I'm closing with a song that created two hits for Neil.  Here are both versions of Breakin' Up is Hard to Do.  First, the original, from 1962.

Finally, this is the slow version from 1975, which I am more partial to.  I chose a live version.

May you forever rest in peace. 

And that's another sad wrap. 

Join me again next week for another episode of Music Moves Me. 

Shadowy Park #ShadowshotSunday

March has arrived where I live in the Southern Tier of New York State.  The sun reappears, along with shadows.

Let's take a walk in a local park.  I took these pictures the last two days of February, but that's close enough to March, right?

Hard to see, but there is also a reflection of the sky on ice in the middle of the snow sandwich.

The snow is melting, although we got another dusting this morning.

Joining up with Lisa at This and That: A Blog for her #ShadowshotSunday.