Farewell to November

"November comes and November goes,

With the last red berries and the first white snows.

With night coming early, and dawn coming late,

And ice in the bucket and frost by the gate.

The fires burn and the kettles sing,

And earth sinks to rest until next spring.

                                                                --Elizabeth Coatsworth

A Day of Thanks

11-0

A few months ago very few folks in the Hawkeye state would have predicted that their beloved University of Iowa football team would be 11-0 with one regular-season game remaining.  Wow!  What a delight this has been for fans, not to mention how elated the players and coaches must be.  In addition to the undefeated record, Iowa has earned a trip to Indianapolis to play in the Big 10 Championship.  As a lifelong U of I football aficionada, I just had to share the excitement and include an image taken at the recent night game held at Kinnick Stadium.

What's the Rush?

"A turkey never voted for an early Christmas."

                                                           --Irish Proverb

Heaps of Hostas

Imagine green.  Lots of it.  That's what is missing in this sea of hostas that flood the forest floor.  As I worked with this image, the lighting and green became a distraction; therefore, I chose a black and white format as the viewer can more easily focus on the abundant foliage and patterns of vertical lines created by tree trunks and man-made installations.  Next summer be sure to check out this serene setting at the Dubuque Arboretum.

A Spice for Life

"Art is much less important than life, 

but what a poor life without it."

                                                   --Robert Motherwell

Honoring Veterans

"Our debt to the heroic men and women

in the service of our country can never be repaid.

They have earned our undying gratitude.

America will never forget their sacrifices."

                                                                            --Harry S. Truman

"Dahlia Duo"

Dahlia Duo by Stephanie Funke

In the most recent Light Space & Time Online Gallery "Botanicals" competition, this image was awarded Honorable Mention in the digital media category.  Be sure to visit the following link and take a look at some remarkable pieces of art by some talented individuals. www.lightspacetime.com/current-online-juried-art-exhibition

In mid-August at the Dubuque (Iowa) Arboretum I took these photos.  With an expansive garden full of these blooming beauties, you can imagine I spent quite a bit of time trying to capture their simple elegance. These particular dahlias were orange in color with a yellow center; however, when I converted the image to black and white it was striking and I immediately knew they would remain as such.  

                                                      

Long Live Autumn

"Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."

                                                 --George Eliot

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."

                                                      --Albert Camus