On Friday, I celebrated my one year anniversary writing for Suite101.com! I want to thank you all for your support. I hope you enjoy reading everything I've enjoyed researching! I've learned a lot about writing for the Internet. I'm improving each day. My improvements have resulted in increased pageviews and revenue too. So, it's very exciting. Please send me any article ideas you think of.

Here is the link to my Suite101 profile, if you've misplaced it: Aurae's Suite101 Profile

Make sure to check the Suite101.com box on the left-hand side for my most recent articles.
Also, Suite101 has added a Comment feature at the end of every article, so you can leave your feedback and comments on the article. I think this will be a great addition to our website.

Well, it's off to think up new articles!
Thanks again!

I woke up feeling more alive today, my head clearing and the sun shining. Although not one hundred percent better, I aimed to enjoy the sun. I thought a little time in the yard can only make me feel better. So, we spent all day doing yard chores. My husband mowed and tended to the lawn while I weeded out dandelions and grass from the flower beds.

The sun blessed us with warm rays, soaking up the extra moistures left from a long week of rain showers. The tulips opened up wide, the bees buzzed and the hummingbirds zoomed here and there. I even got to give the dog his first bath outside. As I walked him afterwards, the prance in his step told me he felt good, nice and clean. His white fur shining in the sun.

So, here a few more pictures of the yard. The rain showers from last week, wiped away all the pear blossoms but here are some of the apple blossoms, which smell delightful.

I stayed home from work today because I have a nasty head cold, with a sore throat, runny nose, cough and stuffy head. It was nice to sleep for several hours, letting my body take over the battle against the bad bugs.

It's nice to be a home where it's quiet and calm, with no stress. It's just too bad that I don't feel good. The cat enjoys my company, purring loudly as I write.

The sun has returned after a long sleep behind the clouds. I ventured out on the back steps to feel the warm rays and take in the view of spring. The dog enjoys my company, greeting me with a panting smile, saying pet me!

I'm sad because I was scheduled to volunteer at a Christian youth event tonight and tomorrow called Acquire the Fire. I know they really needed my dedication as a volunteer. I had to tell them earlier I couldn't make it to the event. I really wanted to volunteer because I love interacting with people, and that feeling you get by giving, doing something without receiving anything back. I hope I can find a place to volunteer around where I live.

Well, it's back to resting for me. There's nothing worthy on TV. Perhaps I can do some writing if my head will clear.

Today is Earth Day. I hope we all take a moment to think about how each of us affects our planet, the footprint we leave and what we can do to help make the world a more lovely place.

My husband and I have a new "big screen" TV, which is actually a projector and a big screen. It makes the most beautiful, clear HD image of anything we watch. We watch travel and nature shows like an addiction, viewing our world from the couch in the evenings. Last night, as we watched a program on Hawaii, I realized how vast our world is. It made me think about what I learned about the climate and climate change. I began to wonder, thinking, yes, I admit that humans cause way too much pollution, but looking at these beautiful images of virgin, green tropical forests, they appear untouched. Our atmosphere is huge! How can we be affecting the whole planet?

But, it is true - we are changing our environment, even if just a tiny bit at a time. This is such a huge issue. I'm only skimming the top but perhaps, giving you something to think about or comment about. We all need to admit that humans have changed things, no matter the extent.

I've been writing articles on conservation this week. It was great to learn how hunters and anglers are beginning to see how climate change is affecting wildlife. I was surprised to learn how these hunting and fishing organizations are trying to work on public policy and get laws passed on emissions limits. Having grown-up opposed to hunting, or at least not thinking of it in a good light, I'm touched that these organizations are such supporters of conservation. I've always thought of myself as open-minded, but I guess having a narrow view of hunting, has actually made me miss this other side to the issue. It's amazing what you learn, if you just search out a little more information!

The world isn't such a bad place after all! Let's do something today to save it or keep it how it is!

My husband and I carpooled to work today, which we do 4 times a week. What did you do?

This morning our cat came into our room, purring and wanting our attention. She does this a lot at 6 am. We're not sure what it is that wakes her up. But as we were awake at this early hour, we peered outside in amazement at the snow-covered ground and trees! They were right! It did snow!

It was dark for 6 am because of the heavy snow clouds but I got my camera out anyway. There was no way I was going to miss out on capturing this event: snow on April 20th! Not only were we a month into spring but it had been almost 80 degrees and sunny the last weekend. It was an amazing feat of nature. Reading the newspaper, we found out that this is only the 4th time in 100 years that it has snowed in April, and the latest date at that!

If we had not been awoken by the cat, we would have missed this event, because it was gone by 9 am. Here are the amazing pictures, though dark from the early morning light:

Yesterday, after some urging, my husband and I committed to a 5K run/walk next month. This will be our first together. Several years ago, I completed a 5K with my dog, Spirit, as a fund-raiser for the local Humane Society. Yet, that was a bit different, as I walked with an overly excited American Eskimo, wanting to greet every dog and stop along the way. It was a lot of fun though. I think he enjoyed it too.

So, we will begin training for the event. I've always been a walker. I haven't been walking as frequently with the cold, wet weather. But if that sun is out, I feel the urge to get out there. My dog enjoys his walks. He prefers twice daily, and long ones. Today, Spirit and I will go time ourselves at the distance of 3.1 miles or 5K, just to get a base to work from.

This will be a lot of fun to aim for shaping up for the event. It's time to get moving!

Well, the April showers part of April came back today after a lovely warm, sunny weekend. Saturday was spent out in the yard, making wood chips from fruit tree branches, weeding and planting flowers. I actually got some color, a slight tan on my upper arms from the sun. It was 75 and not a cloud in the sky! What a surprising delight!

But today, the clouds are back, bringing a few showers. It's colder too. The weather reports says, 30 degrees colder than this weekend. What a change!

But we must be patient, knowing that indeed, these April showers will bring May flowers. The flowers are already beginning to bloom. Our pear and plum trees are decorated with dainty, white blossoms. The bees were delighted to see the blossoms on Saturday, swarming the tree looking for a snack. Our tulips are just about in full bloom, brilliant yellow, bright red and deep purple. Here are a few pictures:

I woke up to a cold but sunny Friday morning. It was so bright, the sun shining on my bedroom window. The freshly cut grass glimmering in the morning light, lightly touched with dew. The brisk cool air of early spring. It was hard not to be in a good mood this morning.

Fridays are special days, filled with hopes and dreams for the weekend. From relaxing on Saturday morning to working hard in the yard, or taking the dog for a walk at the park or having time to write or traveling, the weekends have so much to offer. I get a chance to free my mind, recover from a long week of work or be myself.

I am ready!

It's been a slow day today for me. I had trouble waking up this morning, as I was deep in sleep and the bed was warm and cozy. It would be so much easier to wake up when it's warm and sunny! It's hard to crawl out of bed, in the cold, dark.

I'm still struggling with problems at my day job, but being productive at writing has helped. It also helps to have a supportive family. It's nice to feel loved, and know that I am valued. I wish everyone could experience the love and support of family. I just don't understand how some families or family members can't be supportive or loving. Isn't it called unconditional love?

That reminds me of the sermon at church on Sunday, as our pastor spoke of the most important commandment of all: to love. It's our duty to love one another. There's nothing more important. All of our problems can be solved with love. If we truly love God and one another, there is no need for any other commandments. There would be no murder, no greed, no jealousy, no adultery, none of that!

This reminds me of the Beatles song because all we need is love!

I wasn't sure if I should share my thoughts and feelings today but maybe it will help me get over them. I feel discouraged today, like all the dreams and goals I have just seem too far away or take too much effort on my part. I want to be a successful writer, and I want to be successful in my healthcare field. I want to be a lot of things.

Sometimes it feels like I have so many dreams and aspirations that I get overwhelmed. It's kind of like that image of a juggler. I have all these balls representing ideas and goals in the air, but in order to keep them up and in motion, I have to work at it. Sometimes it feels like all the balls just fall down, like today. Sometimes there are obstacles in my way or elements trying to knock the balls down. I feel like I've run into all the obstacles today.

It will take some extra effort to put them back in motion. But I know in order to be happy and make sense out of life, I will put them back into the air. I just have to nudge myself into action.