Praying Mantis

This guy was sitting on top of a car at the auto dealer when we went to pick up our new Nissan Leaf (all electric vehicle).  A sign that nature was giving us a thumbs up for our eco-concious choice perhaps.

Julianna sleeps

My granddaughter, Julianna, was hospitalized for much of the holiday season for severe reflux, and an inability to gain weight.  It was a trying time for her, her mom and dad, and for the rest of us who love her.  Thankfully, with the good care of the professionals at Legacy Emanuael Children's Hospital, loving family and friends,  and Gods healing hands, she turned the corner and came home just after New Year's.  She's doing much better now..gaining weight, little by little.  The other night I noticed she has even started to get a little baby pudge on her thighs!

Sand dune at Newport

I love going to our beach place in the winter.  The beaches are quiet except for the whoosh of the wind and the crashing of the waves and I share the beach with only a few seagulls and my dogs.  I shot this on South Beach, just south of Newport.  The beach has very few rocks....just miles of windswept dunes and seagrass.

128/365 Emperor Chad Hammer

My daughter Sara and Chad.

My brother Chad stepped down from his reign as the Emperor XXXVII of the Imperial Rose Court last fall.  What a wonderful evening!  Court representatives from Canda, USA and Mexico attended the event, which was themed, "A Journey Through Shakespeare." I loved the costumes, the jewels, the big eyelashes, and even bigger hair of the guests. Chad was a gracious and entertaining host for the evening with just the right mix of class and flash.  During his reign, he focused on raising money and organizing volunteer opportunities for charities. At the end of the evening, Chad was honored as the Emperor of the Year (for all of Canada, Mexico and USA)...I was (and still am) so proud of him!

Jenuwine Beaute, Empress XXV of Tacoma, Washington honored Chad's request for a command performance.  She was spectacular!

I call this couple the Duke and Duchess.

This Empress was so touched by a performance on stage.  She stood during the entire song, lost somewhere in her thoughts, tears in her eyes.

Incoming Empress Monica Boulevard keeps her wig from slipping during the crowning ceremony, while handsome, incoming Emperor Athens Scities Foxx looks on.

Chad's final walk through the crowd as Emperor.