Good Bye, October!

Thanks for being a bit sweeter than you were last year.

xo

Trees

A few minutes ago every tree was excited,

bowing to the roaring storm,

waving, swirling, tossing their branches

in glorious enthusiasm like worship.

But though to the outer ear these trees

are now silent,

their songs never cease.

~John Muir~

Tree Peony; taken in NJ

xo



October

I love October.

I miss May.

xo

A Naturalist's View

 

"The more clearly we can focus our attention

on the wonders and realities of the universe about us,

the less taste we shall have for destruction."

~Rachel Carson

xo

Peace. Love. Beer.

A tourist!

 Beer enthusiast!

 Amy Helm

Peace Bell

 The hills at Woodstock

Last weekend we took a ride.

There was a craft beer festival

at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts.

A beautiful, sunny Autumn day

was the backdrop for craft beer, music, and memories.

It was the  original site of Woodstock that now houses the Center.

Beautiful grounds, architecture, landscape, and sculptures

capture the Love and Happiness that musicians

and concert goers from the world over spilled over

onto these holy grounds more than 40 years ago.

Levon Helm's daughter Amy entertained the audience

with her touring band.

We couldn't help but feel nostalgic

thinking back on our teenage years!

Some of the musicians that played at the concerts

have passed,

but their music lives on and on.

The craft brewers were in full force,

and I can attest that the craft beer industry

is in full swing!

A great time was had by all.

xo

 



Messages from Water

"Love tends to be a more active energy, the act of giving oneself unconditionally.  By contrast, gratitude is a more passive energy, a feeling that results from having been given something, knowing that you have been given the gift of life and reaching out to receive it joyously with both hands.  What the world needs now is gratitude.  We must begin by learning what it means to have enough... to feel gratitude for having been born on a planet so rich in nature, and gratitude for the water that makes our life possible. Do we really know how wonderful it is to be able to breathe a big breathe of clean air?  If you open your eyes you will see that the world is full of so much that deserves your gratitude.  When you have become the embodiment of gratitude, think about how pure the water that fills your body will be. When this happens, you yourself will be a shining crystal of light."

                                                 

                                      


                                                                               

Pine Trees

"Between every two pines

is a doorway to a new world."

~John Muir

xo

Carrot Soup with Friends

 

I love Fridays.

I love Friday luncheons with friends.

I've written before about Rich and Priscilla,

clients turned friends.

We met up again last Friday,

luckily we parted ways before Saturday!

They've been married for 53 years!

I learned the latest accomplishments

of their heart-throb Grandchildren.

We caught up on the latest happenings

in town and in house.

We share special memories and we continue

to create new.

We also shared a knock out crispy eggplant sandwich

created by chef Roger,

served by the lovely Nancy.

We enjoyed a delicious carrot soup.

I'm going to try and re-create it!

I'll probably fail.

I'm just plain happy to have had the opportunity

to meet,

and to Love

my dear friends,

"The Fieldhouse's".

Long live their Love.

And long live "The County Seat".

xo

 

 

 

 

 

 



Delight!

All good things must come to an end.

Good bye, zinnias!

You were delightful this Summer.

xo

Understanding

 

 

 

 

 

"Look deep into nature,

and then you will understand

everything better."

~Albert Einstein

Have a fine weekend.

xo

Moments

Every moment

possesses its own kind

of magic.

~Autumn Doughton

xo

Mazed

No more sunflowers.

xo

Rosie

Today would have been the birthday

of a very special lady.

A woman that I met many, many years ago

who became my Mother-In-Law.
These photos are for her.

I still do and forever will love you, Rosie.

xo

Love

Happy Anniversary, Nance and Brad!

xo

Ferns In the Garden

“... the world can give you these glimpses as well as fairy tales can--the smell of rain, the dazzle of sun on white clapboard with the shadows of ferns and wash on the line, the wildness of a winter storm when in the house the flame of a candle doesn't even flicker.” 
~Fred Bruechner   

Love and Happiness

xo

Peace

 

It's hard to forget pain,

but it's even harder to remember

sweetness.

We have no scar to show

for happiness.

 

 

We learn so little from Peace.

xo



Late Summer

A dreamy little dahlia to close the final days of a sweet, but way too short summer.

With love and hugs.
PS...A new link, dead center at the bottom of my page
allows you to follow my photo journey on Instagram!
I hope you jump on the Instagram wagon...it's awesome!

Seaside Heights, NJ

I usually don't think about this town so much,

but I can't help but feel the pain.

Of fire.

This is a photo I took last Fall, 

when hurricane Sandy met the roller coaster.

After a year of rebuilding, Seaside Heights 

has yet another major challenge.

They've seen fire and and they've seen rain.

xo

Light

Where there is Love

there is Light.

xo

Seamus Heaney

"If you know a bit

about the universe

It's because you've taken it in

Like that.

Looked as hard

As you look into yourself,

Into the rat hole,

through the vetch and dock

that mantled it.

Because you've laid your cheek

Against the rush clump

And known soft stone to break

On the quarry floor."

~from "A Herbal"

Seamus Heaney- may he rest in peace.

xo

September

Blair Falls.

There's reflection in the pool

that forms below this little waterfall.
It's back to school time.

I remember the excitement I used to feel.
First, for myself  as a student.
Then, for my children.
The warm September sun welcomed
teachers, bus drivers, coaches, and friends.
 Those days are long gone now.
The buses still roll through town,
the Moms are stocking up with snacks,
the retail stores are stockpiled with goods,
and I am marveling at the reflections in the pool.
The reflection of self.
How I see myself, and how others see me.
xo



 

Next Time

"Next time what I'd do

is look at the earth

before saying anything.

I'd stop just before going into a house

and be an emperor for a minute

and listen better to the wind

or to the air being still."

~Mary Oliver

xo

 



Mixed Emotions

I think this photo suits my feelings today.

I'm feeling like it's still Summer,

yet there's a little hint of Autumn from the morning chill.

One stem is holding on to the sun's rays,

while the other is drooping into mother nature's laws.

As much as I love the fall,

I don't look forward to the winter that follows.

I'm hoping to enjoy every beautiful day that comes my way.

I hope you can too!

xo

Labor Day

"A working class hero is something to be."
~John Lennon~
His first solo album post-Beatles.
Controversial at that.
xo

Love

After any struggle,

any storm,

Love,

like the sunlight

restores balance and peace.

xo