Fun at the Kansas City Zoo

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fun at the Kansas City zoo

Fun at the Kansas City Zoo.

Hi, I had a fun birthday weekend with my family at the Kansas City Zoo. Happy birthday to me!

#14 Go the the Kansas City Zoo
and #38 visit the grand girls once a month

fun at the Kansas City zoo
Click image to see the images taken at the KC Zoo!

The morning began with eating breakfast out. I ordered a two egg omelet with cheese, bacon, green onion and tomato. After breakfast my daughter and her family picked me up to go to the zoo. It was for sure a fun birthday. It did make me realize a few things.

Firstly, I want to do better of taking pictures through out my adventures. There were things the grand girls did that I never took a picture. For example when they slid down the slide instead of using the stairs. I never took images of our lunch, what we ordered and the menu to show the high cost of ordering on zoo grounds. The thought of bringing a picnic lunch didn’t even come to mind until I saw the prices. One bottle of water was $5.00. Ouch, a family of 4 would be 20 bucks.

Secondly, my weight. My age, working from home, not getting out among other things I have been telling myself when I look in the mirror. This adventure to the zoo made me realize how my weight is affecting me. And it is not good. From this day forward, I will take more responsibility to do something for myself to improve my health. I want to be like my Aunt Phyllis was. When she was 80 she could keep up with my dancing when I was 50. She looked amazing. That is how I want to be when I am 80.

favorit aunt Phyllis
My inspiration in aging, my Aunt Phyllis.

#52 Walk two miles 3x a week.
#53 Do nightly excersizes 3x a week. Opposite nights from above walking goal.

These two will be a work in progress. And to keep a journal of progress, I will include a selfie of me each post. And hopefully this will show the change/progress of my efforts.

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
Gma’s photo
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Fun at the Kansas City Zoo

2022 Holidays | Merry Christmas!

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Hi, Merry Christmas 2022 to you. Our holiday festivities will be celebrated over a two week time frame beginning last weekend Saturday, December 17 thru next Monday, January 2, 2023. Funny how the older I become, the more I enjoy going slower. Enjoy the present a little more! The grand girls are the opposite, they have been so excited for Christmas morning and seeing what Santa brought.

We kick started the season with meeting up with my husband’s family on Saturday, Dec 17, 2022. Our Christmas gathering was at the Hollis Renewal Center. Our family has outgrown going to one family’s home to celebrate indoors during the chilly holiday.

Holiday in laws

Kevin’s siblings all were able to join; something I am truly grateful for! It was the second generation we missed. As the family grows time together is a commodity cherished when we can be together! They were missed as we had a wonderful time eating, playing games and celebrating this holy holiday Christmas.

Merry Christmas 2022 games

Christmas with my parents was moved to Monday, January 2, 2023. Erika and her family had caught a cold from their travels the week before to Branson. Not wanting to pass the bug on, the decision to reschedule was made.

Kevin and I joined Erika and Shaune (and girls) on Saturday as previously planned; not to celebrate Christmas, but eat ham and beans and watch the Chiefs play football. The Chiefs won! Each time I am with the girls, I do my best to get our selfie. This day Brynlee was given the selfie stick and was in charge to take our picture this time.

Holiday selfie

Merry Christmas 2022!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
Gma’s photo

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Treasures Found While Recycling | Mushrooms

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Treasures Found

Hi, it’s amazing at how the smallest thing can bring so much happiness. I have started recycling; mainly aluminum cans and plastic milk jugs. Just before grocery shopping I dropped off several bags of cans. Nothing unusual about that. What was fun was the surprise I found once I opened the cover to the recycling can house. Adam was with me and he had his phone with him; he took several pictures. Not me, I had no phone nor camera. So the next day I went back. Another surprise, they were still there!

treasure mushroom
LENS: 30 mm Macro
EXP: 1/60 sec; f/3.5; ISO 200

In the local Dillon’s parking lot is the Cans for the Community recycling bin; I refer to it as the can house. Cans for the Community proceeds from recycling are donated to local non-profit organizations.

treasures mushroom

You can see the small mushrooms on the bottom right side of the opened sliding door in the middle and right image above. As cute as these mushrooms are, still be very careful. Mushrooms can be dangerous. We never touched them, just looked at them and took many pictures!

What’s even funnier; after taking these pictures I researched macro photography and found that it is recommended shooting with a smaller aperture. The first image above I used the largest aperture for this lens f/3.5. So I went back to the can house the following day. Guess what, they were still there! One had faded (expired, died) and another one had grown open more. Here is one of the pictures taken with the smaller aperture of f/10. Note that in this image my distance is a bit closer to the mushroom treasures.

treasure mushrooms
LENS: 30 mm Macro
EXP: 1/60 sec; f/10; ISO 640

Have you found any treasures such as this? If so, where did you find it?

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
Gma’s photo

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