11.30.11

11.30.11, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

An unusual variety of hibiscus caught my eye this afternoon - a solitary bloom, as well. The 'pinwheel' look is nicely emphasized by the dark fucshia center, though its spinning capabilities are nonexistent! :) Oh, well - you can't have everything, right? Banyan Rd, Naples, FL

11.29.11

11.29.11, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

The sun's light is slipping over the horizon - punctuating today's expiration with a touch of color. There is a certain cleansing that occurs in the transition between days - an opportunity to start with a clean slate, to reassess and redirect. The respite from the bombardment of external stimuli allows for balanced reflection, shedding fallacies and stressors. Take it all in! Naples, FL

11.28.11

11.28.11, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Yesterday I was a dog. Today I'm a dog. Tomorrow I'll probably still be a dog. Sigh! There's so little hope for advancement.
~ Charles M. Schulz

Sigh....my thinking continues to live in a dichotomy of vivid contrast with support from an online community and a backlash from those who think schooling is learning and vice versa. Listening to Anne Mirtschin's The World is My Classroom with emphasis on global communication and just-in-time learning as well as the zany, fun and very authentic self-directed community learning in ds106 courtesy of Jim Groom and Tom Woodward provides a desired perspective. When Learning becomes an event (Andy Mckiel), it really does reflect nature's course and playing in public (George Couros) offers incredible feedback for further reflection and change. The K12online conference is off and running - and a great platform for thinking about learning....and they say you can't teach an old dog new tricks! :) Naples, FL

11.27.11

11.27.11, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Heading east in the warm early morning sun...this weathervane is making me wanderlust, despite the onset of the most wonderful weather of the year here. Unfortunately, I don't see any travel on the horizon, but fortunately, I can live with where I am...will just wander vicariously through my connections online! :) 2nd Ave N & 5th St, Naples, FL

11.26.11

11.26.11, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

This slice of Thursday's newspaper shows the bottom 1/4 of 'news' and the remaining top three quarters of Black Friday advertisements! Obviously I'm not a very good bargain hunter as I just reviewed them today. I only found one item in the 4 pounds (...and yes, I actually weighed the ads!) of newsprint now headed for the recycling bin - and, of course, they had sold out that bargain-priced item by the time I got there! :(

I didn't brave the early morning hours nor the crowds... but, I didn't get pepper-sprayed by one out-of-control shopped either! What are people thinking? More likely, why aren't they thinking? A bargain-priced Xbox is not worthy of violence - it really makes you wonder. May all of your holiday shopping be enjoyable and free of 'craziness'! :) Naples, FL

11.25.11

11.25.11, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

The eagle(s) have landed again - my neighbor said she has seen the pair, but I was only able to catch a solitary one on the lookout this morning...heavily cropped at that! Here is where I wish I had a really nice long telephoto lens! There is also a hawk that I need to capture visually - it makes its presence known quite well with recognizable 'keeahs' every morning. Interestingly, other neighborhoods close by have reported coyotes and bears - unusual, but a reflection of the need for food, even in a 'developed' environment. Naples, FL

11.24.11

11.24.11, a photo by colemama on Flickr.

Happy Thanksgiving to all! The only turkey we had was this stuffed one (part of the 'centerpiece'), as our gluttony was spent on Spicy Grilled Shrimp, Herbed Lentils & Rice, Sauteed Spinach, Grandma Erma's Spirited Cranberry Sauce and Key Lime Pie - a tropical version of the more traditional Thanksgiving meal. Traditional or nontraditional - the significance, the meaning, the sincerity is really what counts!! Naples, FL