Oh what a beautiful sight!
Manatees in the wild at Homosassa Wildlife Park.
No, I didn't swim with the manatees but there were several people in the water with them and others observing from boats and rafts.
They are so unusual and beautiful. And what a rare treat to see a baby swimming alongside the mother.
This little boy reminded us of our oldest grandson when he was little.
So have you made New Year's resolutions or chosen a word for the new year?
Mine will be 'Balance' this year. I'm going to strive to find some balance in my life. I'm getting older and want to focus on spending my time wisely. I still want to take time to play and continue to volunteer in my community. I plan to blog and visit my friends on their blogs. I'm looking forward to sewing and reading. My husband and I will take lots of hikes and spend time on the beach, too. But those ordinary times at home that seem to slip away need to be 'reined in' and put to better use. So I choose Balance as my inspiration word this year.
I’m joining Beautiful Sunday and
Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday.
But tell me the truth.....
do you think I should try to lose weight this year?
hahahahaha
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52 comments:
It's such a beautiful place..lovely photos ...
I love your last picture so much :)
Hugs x
Happy New Year, Diane! ... and what a special thing, to see those manatees up close and to be able to swim with them! We don't have them up here -
Loved the Diane Manatee!!lol...I have not made any resolutions as I find I am aggravated with myself when I do not follow through! But I do try to set a few goals for myself and keep those in mind. I think Balance is a great word for all of us Diane. It certainly helps keep us on track in all areas of our life.
Diane, You are a cute Manatee. That look calming to me....to see the manatees swimming about. I like your new word for this year. I chose de-clutter....oh please pray for me. I want this word to work for me so badly. Last year I chose study and I looked up many things to learn more about them...many of them health things for my family even. If I heard an answer on Jeopardy that I didn't understand, I would look it up. So I am really wanting this word of de-clutter to be a good one. LOL. Blessings for a whole new year of playing and helping out. xoxo,Susie
Hahahaha...you're funny, Diane. I allow January to take care of the extra padding from the holidays. It usually does. More needs to go, but I'm not sweating it at this point.
Those manatees would frighten me if I were on a board that way. I'd be nervous that they'd flip me into the water.
No more words of the year for me. Too much like resolutions. Balance sounds like a good one, though!
Manatees are so special. I dream of seeing them one day in person. I like your new word, Balance. I haven't really done much thinking about 2016 yet except hoping it's just full of happiness.
hugs to you Sis.
Linda
I don't think I would swim with them. But love watching them swim.
Happy Sunday!
That would be amazing to see in person!
Ah, look at the mermaid!! My word for last year was Balance and how true it was at the end of it with two feet being operated on! This year it is positive and so far I have been!! Happy New Year xx
What a great experience to see those creatures!I hope you manage BALANCE in your life as you wish it!AriadnefromGreece!
Love your photos. We've gone back to winter, but so far it's relatively mild. I dug out my heavier socks and gloves, but it's still nice to walk outside. My word is bubbly. I'm going to make every effort to stay cheerful and encouraging in 2016, and I hope to visit my blog friends regularly, too. Happy and healthy!
Sweet! What a fun time. I love the photo of the boy.
I like your word.
I am not sure on my word. I think I need your help. Grow? Do you think that is a good one? My family is growing up, changes are in the horizon. I just can not think if a word?
Happy New Year
Carla
How cool is that! Nice to see all that sunshine and clear water, on this cold, dark BC day.
I hear ya, re: spending time wisely Diane. I am making that a big priority this coming year. I have decided to stop blogging at 2 of my blogs, still will post reviews at My Real Life Reviews and Amazon though.
Focus for me is on my writing and books and spending more time out in nature too.
Mr. Cheddar's new eBook was just published:
Mr. Cheddar's Meowsings! Kibbles of Wisdom from a Wise and Witty Feline
so we are both ;-) focusing on getting the word out about that book in particular right now. It's free for the kindle version for the next couple of days at Amazon, if you'd like to check it out. We'd love you to write a review too!
LOTS of hugs, G and Mr. C
So far you are the second one on my blog list to have the word 'balance' for 2016--I think mine will be 'love' this year--we all need to feel more love and to know that people love us and one another-my second word to go with love will be 'laughter'--
have a happy year-
love, diane
Hello from Spain: lovely pics. I like your words. Happy New Year.
No I don't think you need to try to loose weiht hie year, I do however LOL
I have heard of those rare Manatees amazing they have survived so many years ,with all the ocean explores blasting bombs and what nots into our oceans
Thanks for always coming over for a visit and Happy New Year
Manatees are so cool. I'v never seen one in person-- lucky you! Good luck "balancing!"
Oh what a beautiful sight to see and photograph! Wonderful photos!
Wishing you a wonderful week ~ ^_^
Happy New Year Diane! What interesting photos you took. The different shades of blue in the sky & water are fascinating, too.
~Judy
Happy New Year!! How cool to see the Manatees. I hope to do more hiking this year....only hiked 3 times last year.
hugs,
Cindy
Happy New Year!!!!! Oh. I love this post and seeing the baby with mama is so exciting.thanks for sharing, Francine.
We have Manatees at the Columbus zoo. They are so cute. Such sweet animals. I would love to see them in the wild. Balance is a good word. Esp. In our retirement. Hugs
Diane, wow that must have been a sight for you. I've never heard of the Manatees before. Your New Year word, "balance" sounds like a good one. I've been thinking of the word "light" lately, and I'm wishing you light and love in the days ahead. It's always a pleasure to see your nature pictures. They really are unique and special.
love, ~Sheri
Oh what fun that must have been with the manatees...yes you are getting a little thick around the middle in that photo! :)
I like Balance. Here De Clutter. I will be going through drawers and closets getting rid of stuff that I neither need nor use anymore. I want to carry a lighter load. With all that you do, I can't see you having very many moments getting away from you. I look forward to spending time with you in 2016.
Gorgeous place to visit. No resolutions here, never have made them. I like your word balance. If I was to pick a work it might be enjoy ... enjoy every day as it comes and make the most of it.
Hello, I loved seeing the manatees while visiting Florida. They are so cute! Awesome photos. I like you word Balance, good luck with your new goal. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!
Great photos. Balance sounds a good target for me, too. Can I borrow the word? :))
Balance is a good word for that young kid on the raft (or what is that)? too! Fun photos. Balance is a very good word for the year ahead. Thank you for the link up, Judith.
Oh, it's YOU, Diane! I was seeing this on my tiny phone and got my lavenders mixed up. Lol Have a wonderful day, friend. Great photos!!
I've never seen a manatee, but they remind me of tiny whales. Love the shot of the little boy observing them. Happy New Year, and good luck with finding your balance ;)
Wendy
How cool is that! Lucky you! I too would love watching them.
Happy New Year Diane to you and all your loved ones.
Hugs,
Gaby
What a fun post! I think a manatee has it pretty good all in all. Isn't it their goal in life to put on as much weight as possible. Homely, adorable creatures.
Balance is great word. I've chosen 'clarity'.
And Happy Hiking!
What a fabulous sight...seeing manatees! And I love your word for the year....I have chosen mine too! Innovate.....I wrote about it here....
http://www.livingfromhappiness.com/innovation-in-2016/
Wishing you big hugs and big cheers for this New Year!
Donna@GardensEyeView
and LivingFromHappiness
Lavender sis...I cannot resist - keep your balance too so there are no falls this year. (sorry:-)
Manatees are supposed to come along the canal where we are in February but no sightings last year, hopefully something next month.
Trying to find a balance with blogging and all the other things we like to do can be hard and I'm going to try and keep up myself.
only you could wear that "manatee suit " so well! you look absolutely adorable. Really. I like your inspiration word for 2016 ... And I think that's a much better custom than making a bunch of resolutions. That little kid sure has that word " balance" defined ( in a different sense). I think it would be fun to swim with manatees. Have a wonderful balanced 2016!!
Wow, I bet that was incredible to watch. Have a Happy and Healthy 2016 my friend!
O Diane , what an amazing sight and experience . I am behind in choosing my "word " for the year I just can't make up my mind lol I think yours however is a lovely choice . Wishing you much balance , happiness and love in the New Year. hugs~Angela
Diane, balance is a wonderful word! I love your resolutions. Manatees have a special place in my heart. The children and I always loved looking at them at the aquarium. They have the sweetest faces. :-)
Balance is a smart word to choose, Diane. From my point of view it looks like you are so good at that! You hike, travel, sew, collect, blog and run a home. That takes balance. :)
Hello Diane,
It feels so good to visit you, its been a while. I love these photos, I have always wanted to swim with manatees. I was just watching a show about some the other night. They seem like such gentle creatures!
Hope all is well with you my friend! Balance is important and a great thing to focus on in the new year. Good luck and have a blessed 2016!
xo
Linda
Oh you beautiful manatee you - I think you are the perfect size for a manatee.
And what fun to see them swimming about and see people so close to them. Never having been to Florida I've never seen one, but can imagine the thrill of it.
I haven't made resolutions or picked a word - I've been much to lazy for that - hmmmm, maybe I need to make a resolution to not be so lazy.
But I do want to make the common times important - I don't like wasting time and not having memories or something to show for it.
Here's to a grand new year and new adventures my dear friend.
Oh diane i just love those manatees...what gentle and amazing creatures!! Wow to see a mommy and a baby is so special...they are rare and endangered are they not? I think I would jump right in with them!!
such a wonderful sighting .
Happy New Year, Diane! I love the baby manatee swimming with its mama, how sweet! I've never seen manatees before. And you make an adorable manatee, by the way! :-)
Hi Diane. What beautiful pics and special time in those blue waters. Wishing you a happy new year and all the best or 2016. Sending hugs your way.
Blessings always sweet friend. xo
Cool photo of the mother and baby Manatee swimming by the boarder. Happy New Year to you and your husband. Hugs, Pam
I just love your last photo ...
I do agree life is about balance, not always easy to do ... but so worth striving for.
Happy New Year Wishes
All the best Jan
What a great idea to chose a word. Mine would be MOVE...as in relocate! LOL! Love the manatees...so gentle and how cute is that little boy on the board? He reminds me of little Timmy on the old Lassie show. Great pics as usual!
Wonderful posts, and I love the photos of the manatees! :) Great word for the year. I still haven't thought of one, but I will in a day or so. Love the photos of the beach and river, too!!!
xo,
RJ
GREAT last photo!! Alll great photos!! but the one of you is neat!!
I was able to see the manatees last year when we were in Florida in February, looking forward to seeing them again this year! They are such calm creatures! My words are Clean in Sixteen, cutting the clutter at my house!
Cathy
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