~ This has been a hard post to write. I find myself less motivated to write and blog lately. After taking a break and enjoying it, I realized once again that I’ve lost my passion for blogging. My blog and some others I follow seem stale and repetitive. After blogging for 14 plus years, I…
This may be my last post for the year. I’m heading back east to spend Christmas with my brother and his kids. It will be nice to hang out for the holidays, other than the hectic pace and material focus. Although we have different lives and values, we’ve gotten better at accepting each other as…
~ Christmas time of year gifts of heart, home, family the season of love ~ This week Ann-Christine invited us to share our holiday fun for the Lens Artists Challenge. She’s hoping to see happy memories from our holidays, at home or traveling. They can be from Christmas or any holiday we celebrate and enjoy.…
“I love to see the sunshine on the wings of the dragonflies… there is magic in it.” ~ Ama H.Vanniarachchy ~ dragonfly hovers pausing to charge in sunlight messenger of love ~ This week Beth invited us to share photos of anything with wings. She offered a beautiful collection of birds, bees, butterflies, angels, and…
~ Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, mainly for the opportunity to be with family and friends sharing food. It’s also a seasonal reminder for me to be more mindful of gratitude. I feel good when I practice gratitude, occasionally shifting to a more expansive feeling and perspective on my life. Gratitude has been…
~ autumn fading fast pockets of beauty and grace relish the moments ~ ~ We have had a very warm and late Autumn. It was in the upper 70s yesterday, and we’ve only had one week of cool weather. The colors were relatively muted and late this year. The surrounding forests and mountains were mostly…
“A landscape is a condition of the spirit.” ~ Henry Frederic Amiel ~ these simple vistas mountains, skies, trees, and water etched in my heart ~ Thus week Egidio invited us to look back at landscapes. I haven’t been involved with the Lens Artists long enough to look back, but I do have landscapes and…
“We are given this moment. To hold gently. To fill with meaning. and then let go.” – Author Unknown, via Goodreads ~ nature’s changing view seasons, blooms, rains, storms, and dew temporary joys ~ This week Tina invited us to explore the ephemeral nature of life in the Lens Artists Challenge. Beauty, birth, death, storms,…
“See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream.” ~ Ray Bradbury ~ see details little things appreciate the world around nature’s marvels, beauty mysteries to unfold engage curiosity connections reveal symmetry symbiotic wonders all around nature’s blessings unfold with loving grace ~ This week Ritva invited us to notice small details in the world…
~ fungi in fall bloom vast networks of connection feeding the forest ~ This week Sofia invited us to explore what ancient means in the Lens Artists challenge. Being a history buff, Sofia explored ancient civilizations and geology. Many have noted ancient geological formations like the Grand Canyon. And trees like the bristlecone pines, sequoias,…
~ This weekend I attended the Fiftieth Birthday Party for Terra Studios. They began as a simple family glass and pottery studio making the regionally famous Bluebirds of Happiness. The party celebrated their growth into a regional center for art with classes, music, food, and an overflowing gallery. Whimsy and fun play a big part…
~ dollops of color falling leaves and pungent smells signal Autumn’s song dappled scenes with light and shade nature’s abundant harvest ~ This week John has invited us to look back to Lens Artists Challenge #106 Autumn. Since I’ve only been following them for about a year, I will be looking back to my gallery…
“A walk in nature walks the soul back home.” ~ Mary Davis ~ a stroll in the woods senses alive and alert immersed in goodness the sweet aromas of life cocooned by nature’s love ~ This week Joanne invited us to share what we think everyone should see. In other words, people or places that…
~ This week Tina challenged us with City Mouse/ Country Mouse, based on the Aesop fable, to beware thinking the grass is greener elsewhere. In Tina’s case, while she may love visiting the city, there is no place like her home. Lately, I’ve been falling into the trap of thinking somewhere else would be better.…
“Love is wine as old as time, which quenches our lonely longing.” ~ John Mark Green ~ In my experience, longing, or the desire for connection, drives much of our behavior. Often when we chase external satisfaction like buying things, travel, drugs, even relationships, we desire connection. In fact, studies have shown healthy connections to…
writing to freedom 