Rear View

 

With just a few hours left in 2020, most of us aren't terribly sad to see it go.  And about the photo, I can explain.  In the last little while I'd been contemplating what to post for the finale of this year that included a pandemic, social unrest, political divisiveness and a contentious election cycle, extreme weather events, food insecurity and more.  Whew.  Given all of that, nothing came to mind.  

Nothing at least until I was trying to figure out how to use a new tablet whose features differ greatly from the older version.  In my clumsiness and misuse of buttons, mistakenly I captured this photo which is nothing more than a screenshot of the device's photo library.  At that was it.  I knew in an instant this image spoke to me about the past several months.

First, much of it seems like a blur, especially since mid-March when the shut down created a new reality that none of us imagined.  And while so much seems the same and incomprehensible, each day was very similar yet very different from the others.  Although initially my thoughts tried to resist the facts and would easily succumb to all the scary,  what-if scenarios, eventually I began to coexist with this new version of normal.  Just as in the photo, there were darker days as well as a lot of new and enjoyable opportunities.  Essentially for me, this unexpected and bizarre photo seems to be the perfect reflection on a year none of us will soon forget.

“Day 7 of social distancing: Struck up a conversation with a spider today. 

Seems nice. He’s a web designer.”    

                                                                                                                    —Unknown

Holiday Decor

Several years have passed since I took this photo but each December as I review holiday images, it grabs my attention and my gaze lingers.  Several things I love, including the striking colors, shapes, textures and the falling snow.  All of these elements create interest and represent items associated with the holidays and this season of light despite the daylight hours being the fewest of the year.  Simple things that resonate with me.

• "Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, 
• and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful." 
•                                                                                                   — Norman Vincent Peale

 

La Noche Buena

 

Lights at Night

 

A Holiday Reflection

 

Recently I gave myself a chunk of time just to be creative using markers, colored pencils, rubber stamps and an old sketch pad.  With Christmas just a couple weeks away, simple holiday images kept coming to mind.  What transpired was what is visible in the photo minus the black background and blur.  Next I took to photoshop to give it another round of edits and some text.  And, I liked it and wanted to share....but the message I really wanted to share is the gift we give ourselves when we simply allow ourselves time to do whatever we please without any goals to meet and criteria to satisfy..... a great gift for any day of the year.

A Christmas Favorite

Often in December I post images of poinsettias as, in my estimation, they are beautiful.  Here they are again.  Also, regarding these plants, there are a couple notable facts: what appear to be enormous petals are actually leaves and the tiny yellow berry-like pieces in the center are the flowers.  And given that there are more than 150 varieties, you can probably find one that's to your liking.

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, 

and behold everything is softer and more beautiful."

                                                                               --Norman Vincent Peale

 

Surprises in the Woods

A few days ago I opted for a walk along the same river but in a different place.  The wind was brisk and temperature typical of late November so I decided to check out Pin Oak, a Delaware County park located in eastern Iowa.  Since I hadn't been to this park since childhood, I noticed it no longer has restrooms, a shelter with picnic tables and a play area, but the beautiful forest bordering the river remains.  

In the above photo, it's easy to see the well-maintained path while the middle image shows an adorable, hand-painted birdhouse that was placed along the route.  And although I hadn't expected to find the former nor the latter, each was a perfect surprise and seemed like a welcome-back gift from Mother Nature, park workers and some other person who loves art and the woods as I much as I do.  Ahhhh....

"I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees."         

                                                                                                                                   --Henry David Thoreau

Leaf Your Mark

 

Although the calendar now reads December, my heart remains in the autumn woods with an assortment of leaves underfoot and others still dangling above.  Of course, I can easily envision all the beautiful shades of red, yellow, orange, green and brown as well as the exposed trunks, bark and branches.  Regardless of the season, this imagined place is always spectacular.  On paper I continue to draw what I love, including some tangles with gorgeous cascading leaves, as seen above, and also more recognizable forms shown below.

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."

                                                                                                                                                    --Emily Bronte

Back in the Woods

 

Thanksgiving's now in the rearview mirror and our Christmas decorations are in place; however, my heart resides in the woods at the river's edge.  My thoughts often return to the trees, leaves, squirrels, songbirds, bald eagles, chipmunks, racoons, deer, owls, monarchs, swallowtails, woodchucks, wood ducks, coots, loons, trumpeter swans....some reside here while others just pass through while traveling to summer or winter homes.  These pictures are treasured artifacts from this space that always soothes my soul.  Ahhhhhhh...

"In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."

                                                                                                       --John Muir

Thanksgiving

 

"When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around."

                                                                                              --Willie Nelson

Your Path

 

"Pay attention to the things you are naturally drawn to.  

They are often connected to your path, passion, and purpose in life.  

Have the courage to follow them."

                                                               --Ruben Chavez

Advice from Snoopy

 

“Keep looking up... That’s the secret of life...”

                                                                     —Snoopy

Frozen Delights

Last week while exercising outside along the river I had to pay attention to my footing as there was significant frost and wooden surfaces were like a skating rink.  And, initially my thoughts were lamenting the cold and coming winter...until I noticed these gorgeous frosted leaves.  Quickly I turned back to get my phone and started snapping pictures of these incredible masterpieces created by Jack Frost.  As an avid tree and leaf lover, I wanted to photograph each one and preserve these icy delights; however, the sun, as it peered over the bluff, had a different idea and soon these pretties looked like the ordinary pile of leaves that the neighbor didn’t rake.  And I’m glad he didn’t.

“The poetry of the earth is never dead.”

—John Keats

Good Enough

 

Like apples?  Yep, I love them but that’s not the theme of this post.  Actually, a while back I decided to leave my comfort zone for trying to draw and use color....since I always get most concerned with creating a masterpiece that would belong in a museum’s permanent collection....and that’s way too much pressure!  Anyway, I wanted to give myself a break, despite my tendencies to perfect, to just relax and enroll in an online colored pencil class.  Of course, I incorrectly also thought that we wouldn’t have to draw but rather would just practice techniques using orbs.  Now that thought seems so silly as it’s far from the truth.  Nevertheless, I engaged in the process, despite the drawing requirements, and have enjoyed the experience....although I initially resisted when in the 2nd class we were assigned 4 beautiful flowers as our homework.  And, after trying to draw roses and dahlias, this apple simply is “good enough.”

‘If you are waiting until you feel talented enough to make it, you’ll never make it.”

—Criss Jami

Knotted

 

Given the wonderful weather we’ve fortunately had for the last week, I’ve been kayaking and enjoying beautiful scenery and wildlife along the bluffs.  And I feel grateful almost beyond words as being on the water soothes my busy mind, softens my tightly held abdominal muscles and helps me center in the calm of the present moment.  That is a priceless gift.  And, of course, if you’ve read several of my posts over the last few months, you recognize this theme.  However, the new twist for this post features the first picture where the bobber and sinker are infinitely wound in the branch.  Unless cut free, they are permanently knotted in that place.  And this image instantly resonated with me as I thought about how it is so easy to get entrenched in thoughts and then remain permanently stuck....and maybe not in a place where we are truly free to live and love ourselves and what is....inhale....exhale.....repeat.  Peace.

Calm

 

With Election Day now in the rear-view mirror, albeit with no official winner yet declared for the nation’s highest office, I really needed some tranquility like the scene in this image.  Again, when getting so caught up in these uncertain times, I find some calm in just sitting in a quiet place, noticing my breath and letting my body relax.  And, typically my mind follows.  Peace.

“The pursuit, even of the best things, 

ought to be calm and tranquil.”

                                                                                                               — Marcus Tullius Cicero

Autumn Views

 

Often these rather ordinary scenes remain tucked away in their little corners of the world; however, sometimes those make the best images -- simple, beautiful and calm.  Currently, given the many hot topics in our world, I find myself taking shelter in the serenity of the outdoors and its seasonal delights.  And, on a lighter note, I realized October had passed without me posting any pictures of pumpkins.  So, here are some wonderful autumn scenes complete with a wheelbarrow of those awesome orange globes.

"Autumn doesn't always promise that winter will come,

but she works hard until every colored leaf

has reached its destination."

                                                                         --Terri Guillemets

A Walk in the Park

It's no surprise that I found myself walking near the river in a local park -- it's what I love to do.  But, for me, the surprise was finding these beautiful red maple leaves still on the branches above and painting the ground below.  Since I stopped to photograph the gorgeous autumn landscape,  I added several minutes to the walk -- but I'm used to that as it happens all the time.  Anyway, if you are a local, you recognize the location as Tirrill Park in Manchester.  And regardless of your whereabouts, today's a good time to get outside and take in any of fall's delightful scenery.

"And the sun took a step back, 

the leaves lulled themselves to sleep 

and autumn was awakened."

                                                                                                                       --Raquel Franco

 

Autumn Mornings

"If a year was tucked inside of a clock,

then autumn would be the magic hour."

                                                                                               --Victoria Erickson

Autumn Hues

 

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, 

fluttering from the autumn tree."

                                                                                                                          --Emily Bronte

Still Blooming

 

Like so many folks, since mid-March my travels have been very limited and mostly for grocery pick-up; however, recently I decided to venture out and visit the arboretum in Dubuque.  Like always, there were so many beautiful things, including the rose garden, enormous dahlias (see above photo) and colors galore.  As I've previously noted, this place is a treat for my senses and never disappoints.  In addition to all the colorful blooms and carefully planned beds, there is also plenty of space to just wander under the trees and watch squirrels scurry from one branch to the next.  Overhead I heard blue jays squawking and below noticed chipmunks darting to and fro.   This outing was the perfect escape.

Autumn Reflections

 

Ahhhhh.  Recently I captured these early-morning reflections along the Maquoketa River near the Hartwick bridge.  In this post, there's no need for many words but rather just to sit in the stillness of these spectacular views and the ensuing calm.  The tranquil water and stunning vistas soothe my soul and leave me inhaling, exhaling and forgetting about everything else.  Priceless.

Your Path

 

"You will recognize your own path when you come upon it because you will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need."

                                                                                                                                            --Sara Teasdale

Still in the Park

 

As mentioned in my previous post, these pictures were from a recent visit to Backbone State Park.  The images show some fall colors but also the harsh lighting due to a cool wind and an unsettled and mostly dark sky.  The following quote fits perfectly as it describes what I felt and saw as well as what I heard.

"Two sounds of autumn are unmistakable...the hurrying rustle of 

crisp leaves blown along the street...by a gusty wind, 

and the gabble of a flock of migrating geese."

                                                                                                                --Hal Borland

 

Fall in the Park

 

At this time of the year, Backbone State Park is one of my favorite destinations.  The water, forest, colorful foliage, quiet, rugged terrain and longstanding structures are some of the features sure to satisfy any nature lover.  Anyway, during my recent visit there was a distinct chill in the air, a light wind and the clouds were unsettled and passing through quickly while blocking much of the early evening sunlight.  The effect was unique as the lighting was very harsh and created some interesting contrasts.  Definitely, those elements are present in both images as the thick, puffy dark clouds appear directly overhead.  In addition, the ripples on the water's surface indicate the cool fall breeze.

"Is not this a true autumn day?  

Just the still melancholy that I love -- that makes life and nature harmonize."

                                                                       --George Eliot

A Fall Favorite

 

Annually I look forward to this massive expanse of green and white occupying a large portion of our home's facade.  Of course, I'm referring to this variety of clematis that blooms sometime post-Labor Day.  This year I was beginning to wonder just when the buds when burst open as I noticed other residences where this same variety had been flowering for about two weeks.  Ah, finally!  And, yes, it clings to a couple of trellises but also to several vertical curved rods that we positioned just to support this heavy carpet of organic matter, to the shutters and to anything that it can reach.... which also means we have to keep it from growing on the shrubs and must use many bungee cords to support the weight as rain and wind storms often pull it from the upright position and it blankets the ewes below.  Although during the growing season it requires some attention, it's still a fall favorite.

Autumn Arrived

 

In these parts the arrival of autumn was glorious with blue skies, a gentle breeze, mild temperatures and hints of red, yellow and orange in the trees.  For me, as I spent time on the river in a kayak (that's the yellow section of the above photo), in a motor boat and swimming (yes, I wore a wetsuit), the day was perfect.  With these beautiful images I quickly recall that intense calm and joy I felt just being on the water.  Although, I do have to say that typically I don't take a phone/camera with me in the kayak -- I just want to be "unplugged" -- but snapping photos while trying to maintain my balance in that boat was a little unnerving at times when I forgot that I wasn't on land.  

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn."

                                                            --Elizabeth Lawrence

Apples!

 

A couple months ago on a blog post I featured some apple trees that were full of blossoms and speculated that in these parts just maybe there would be a bountiful apple harvest.  Fortunately for us, that's the case as we are enjoying these beautiful honey crisp apples.  Several years ago we had two honey crisp trees planted on our property ....and then we waited.... as this is the first year they produced fruit.  Wow!  Now I can say that it was worth the wait as these juicy, crunchy red and green globes are perfect.  And, no, we didn't use any pesticide or spray to repel insects and so forth.  So, in this crazy year of 2020, I'm giving thanks for this gift from Mother Nature.