AHHHH I LOVE A RAINY DAY!

Yesterday was almost perfect.  A rainy day, coffee, working with my paintings, out for a drive, photographing birds at the riparian, talking to my kids, mom and being with my husband.

I met an Iranian couple at the riparian took their picture, emailed it and I'm waiting to hear how they liked it.

Taking that drive with my mom made me remember all the drives she and I took to get to the casino.  I fantasized doing just that. What would it be like to stop off at one now after all this time?

Well, let's see....my excitement level increases as I drive to the nearest one, hurriedly park the car, skip across the lot, open the door, walk inside and hear familiar sounds. Bells are ringing, machines are playing their tunes, people are talking as I wonder what I want to play first.

I start playing and just that quickly I'm in another world, all else is blocked out. I win a few large rounds, increase my bet because if I won low it would be great to win betting higher.

Well, that didn't work so let's try another machine, get out more money and do the same thing over again and over and over and over and over. Suddenly, I hit a good pot so let's play even higher.

Oh no. I lost it all. No money left, sadly I walk out to the car and once inside I bang my fists on the steering wheel, calling myself stupid. Why did I do that again? Why can't I win, get up and leave?
Now I must drive home, face my husband and and and .....

Ha, it's good to play that tape in my head every once in a while and it's so fitting for this first day of the new year. Just think, I went through a whole year, 2014, playing that tape whenever I felt the urge and never once set foot in the casino. Thank you one and all for your help.

What a great way to celebrate this first day of the new year. Happy New Year everyone!
Here's a few pictures from the riparian.

As water dripped off the blooms of shrubs a Black Phoebe (Tyrant Flycatcher) landed in front of me. I glanced at movement higher up and a fat Northern Mockingbird watched me take his picture.