Summer's Bounty

 Recently I looked after a neighbor's garden while he took time for a fishing trip.  And, one of the benefits was receiving the produce that he asked me to pick and use.  Cucumbers, grape tomatoes, regular tomatoes, all sorts of peppers, green beans, lettuce, kale, and so on.  In addition to eating these goodies, my favorite part is just taking time to appreciate all the amazing leaves, colors, textures and shapes that I see in vegetable gardens.  So, instead of canning and freezing all this stuff, I shared with others and spent the majority of my time taking pictures.  It was something beautiful.

Got Cake?

Yes!  In Zentangle© class we gather virtually but still have lots of fun celebrating birthdays and creating beautiful things by using repetitive patterns.  And, there's room for you to join us as the next session begins in September.  The following links connect to the class descriptions and registration pages.  

For the introductory class -- 

https://www.evanstonartcenter.org/school/introduction-zentangler-art-ages-16 

For the class using circular tiles -- https://www.evanstonartcenter.org/school/zentangler-art-going-circles-ages-16

"Anything is possible one stroke at a time."

                                                                                 --Maria Thomas

 

After the Rain

For much of the summer in these parts moisture has been scarce; however, a couple weeks ago, while I visited nearby botanical gardens, a thunderstorm blew through and pelted everything with much needed rain.  And, since I found shelter outdoors under an installation in one of the gardens, as soon as the rain stopped, I resumed my tour.  Of course, for many reasons, I was grateful for the rain and the enormous droplets on so many blooming things.  Given the storm and the extended photo shoot, I enjoyed even more time in one of my favorite settings.  It was something beautiful.

"There is simply the rose;  

it is perfect in every moment of its existence."

                                                                                       --Ralph Waldo Emerson

Heritage Trail

 

Recently my husband and I spent a day bicycling on the Heritage Trail that links Dubuque, Iowa to Dyersville, Iowa via a former railroad route.  Flanked by everything seen in this image, including bluffs, the forest, waterways and cropland, it provides a picturesque view of this region at the height of summer.  Although the path is not hard surface, while riding I quickly forgot about the crushed limestone as I was absorbed in the scenery, forest canopy overhead and the sights and sounds of wildlife in all directions.  Ahhhhh... something beautiful.

"If the path be beautiful, 

let us not ask where it leads."

                                                                                               --Anatole France

Hop On

 

Recently, while uncovering a deck chair, I found this little creature.  Of course, immediately I grabbed the phone and started taking photos.  Although the frog seemed very uneasy with my device about two inches from its face, I have to note how patient it was enduring the entire photoshoot with much grace and understanding....well, I'm trying to be grateful and add a little levity as I recognize that most animals prefer to be left alone to do whatever they do...and now I seem to be writing about myself just wanting time to do what I do.  Now, I hope you go do whatever you do and enjoy!

Christmas in July...in August

In the past few years I have posted images from the annual Lake Delhi Christmas in July event, and these are from the most recent celebration held last weekend.  A couple things associated with this festive occasion always humor me and are worth sharing.  First, despite the name, the actual festivities take place the first weekend in August.  Next, taking pictures from the boat is a challenge as there is a lot of traffic on the river that creates movement and contributes to blurry images that are taken of lights illuminating the darkness.  And, just in case I did not realize the latter, my very "smart" phone camera puts a message on the screen that reads "Hold still."  That makes me laugh.  Anyway, the two photos below were taken on land; therefore, the images are quite crisp.  Merry Christmas in July in August.

"It's all fun and games 'til

 Santa checks the naughty list."

                                                                                            --Unknown

 

A Nature Break

 

When I believe a lot of my pesky and fear-based thoughts, a great way out and back to sanity is being outdoors, in the stillness observing the sounds, the smells, the plants and animals, the patterns, the energy, the light and dark and so on.  Again recently, with all the headlines surrounding the pandemic and Delta variant, mitigation strategies, vaccination rates, opposing viewpoints, political divisiveness, extreme weather events, wildfires and pervasive haze lingering in the atmosphere, very strong rhetoric and 24-7 media outlets, including all the socials, it is easy to succumb to the craziness and out-of-control stimulation and thinking.  For me, taking photos of the natural world, drawing and being near the water are things that soothe my soul and renew my spirit.  And that's something beautiful. 

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.  Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the autumn leaves."

                                                                                                                           --John Muir

Levity & Inspiration

 

Spending time on the water in a kayak, on a jet ski or being pulled on skis are some of my favorite pastimes; however, along the way are little freebies that make me laugh, relax and enjoy the moment.  An example of this is the clever name of the Ski Nautique -- "2 Nauti."   I L-O-V-E it.  In addition, this wordplay, painted on the back of a boat, also encourages me to continue using my creativity in pursuits near to my heart and to share my gifts with the world as inspiration comes in many unexpected forms.

Rock, Paper, Scissors

Many of us have used the rock-paper-scissors refrain in order to break a tie, decide who gets the biggest cookie or who has to take out the trash or whatever the case may be.  Certainly, you can recall doing so with siblings, classmates and your best buddies.  Anyway, as featured in some of my very recent posts, this particular sculpture is part of the current exhibit at the Reiman Gardens on the Iowa State University campus in Ames, Iowa.  The talented group of sculptors, including Jennifer & Kevin Box, Robert J. Lang, Michael G. LaFosse, Te jui Fu and Beth Johnson, used museum-quality metal to create very large and sturdy origami (see the item at the top -- representing paper) figures that are nestled amid the beautiful landscapes of these botanical gardens.  And, even though I loved each piece, this is my most-whimsical award winner.