Break time

Just a little note this morning to let you know that I'm taking my annual August break from blogging. This year I'm extending that to all things internet, although I'm sure curiosity will have me checking in occasionally. I hope you enjoy your month of August, I'll see you on the other side!

Summer is the annual permission slip to be lazy. To do nothing and

have it count for something. To lie in the grass and count the stars.

To sit on a branch and study the clouds.

~ Regina Brett

Randomness

Definition of random:

• without definite aim, direction, rule, or method subjects chosen at random

Random is a good description of how my life has been lately. No real aim or direction, no plans; just living in the moment.

I marveled at the needlework samplers in an exhibit at the Historic Arkansas Museum which was entitled: These Various Threads I Drew. The exhibit featured needlepoint samplers from 19th century women. Many were made by school girls who were practicing their skills.

My sweet husband brought me roses for Valentine's Day.

In the few hours when the rain wasn't falling, I wandered in the woods. I wonder which woodpecker made the holes in this dead pine tree; the large Red-headed Woodpecker or the small Downy Woodpecker. They both regular visitors around here.

I discovered that I'm not the only one running around in the mud.

This little leaf seems to represent the state of my mind lately . . . going in crazy circles!

This is why my mind is jumping around and totally overwhelmed! I was diagnosed earlier this month with breast cancer. Thankfully I have the best type of breast cancer. It is noninvasive and after surgery I will be cancer free. I'm writing this as a reminder for each of you to be sure and have your yearly mammogram. I always have and this time the cancer was seen. The type of cancer I have can be unpredictable and very aggressive if not caught early. Oh, I'm so grateful that it was! So, do your self exams and get those mammograms. It just might save your life!!

That's enough of randomness for now. By the way, the very top picture of clouds in the beautiful blue skies was taken during a small break from the dull, dreary skies we've had for many, many days. You know I was outside enjoying those hours!

"Expose yourself to as much randomness as possible."

~ Ben Casnocha

Scene & Story - November 2017

Recently I attended a photo slideshow presented by Tim Ernst, an Arkansas nature photographer. For about twenty minutes you relax, listen to soothing music, and soak in the beauty of nature. The photographs were from his current photo book, Arkansas Beauty. Not only does he take amazing photographs, but after the presentation he has some great stories to tell about his adventures in the woods of Arkansas. Something he said this year stuck with me. He told us that if we don't get out there with our cameras, we're not going to take great pictures. So many of his photos were a result of being in the right place at the right time and then taking his time composing the shot. His words encouraged me to get out more at different times of the day. One morning I chose to go outside to watch the sunrise. It was worth the effort! The sun illuminating the clouds was breathtaking. It made me realize once again that even though I've lived here for over forty years, there are still new and beautiful things to see. I just need to get out there.

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If you would like to see a little bit of Arkansas Beauty,  just click right here.

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I'm linking with Scene & Story hosted

by Sarah and Lee.

October Skies

"From out yon nimbus cloud, the mighty sun

Sweeps o'er the raptured woods his golden beams,

And wakens in my soul such dulcet chords

As harp or breathing organ never swelled."

~ James Rigg  1897 ~

I love the rich colors of autumn:

orange pumpkins,

red, yellow, and gold leaves,

green cedars and pines.

Autumn colors are all beautiful, but my favorite is blue; the rich blues of the skies this time of year. It's the perfect background for the beautiful clouds that been sweeping through.

I read something this morning that said to reduce stress, share something you love with others. So here I am, sharing what I love . . .  clouds, skies, and quotes. I hope you enjoy them!

"They never stand still—

but they're not

in a hurry either."

~Terri Guillemets

"Clouds on clouds, in volumes driven,

Curtain round the vault of heaven."

~Thomas Love Peacock

"It's wonderful to climb the liquid mountains of the sky.
Behind me and before me is God and I have no fears."
~Helen Keller

"Hardly a day passes but we may see
in the sky above us
that God is producing scenes of perfect beauty,
or of glorious majesty,
which so far as we know
are only produced for the sake of
giving us pleasure."

~Alfred Rowland, "The Clouds: God's Angels of the Sea,"
in The Sunday Magazine (London), 1884

"I thank you God for this most amazing day,

for the leaping greenly spirits of trees,

and for the blue dream of sky

and for everything which is natural,

which is infinite, which is yes."

~E. E. Cummings

I encourage you to go outside, look up,

and soak in the beauty of autumn skies.

Spontaneity!

Spontaneity!  That's what I've been missing! The urge to grab my camera and go; no destination in mind, just go. I didn't realize it has been so long since I spontaneously went on an adventure until I looked back over the last year of my pictures. Only three times did I go on an outing with no planning. I'm really shocked. I used to do that all the time.

So, you guessed it, early Monday morning I went on an adventure. I wasn't sure where I'd end up, but I did know water had to be involved. As I drove north I decided on Maumelle Park. It's a camping/picnicking area on the Arkansas River. 

I arrived early. The park was quiet. As I wandered along the river bank I felt my shoulders relax and my breathing slow.

I stopped to exam wild plants and flowers.

The strangest thing I found at the water's edge were elephants made out of play-doh. I wondered who made them. Were they letting them swim in the river and forgot them?

After the walk it was time to just sit and soak in the beautiful day.

I did a little journaling, a little reading, and whole lot of looking through my binoculars.

I couldn't believe how fast my day passed. Way to soon it was time to pack up and head home.

I was rested. I was happy. I needed this day.

What Does The Word Mean - Part VIII

This is my eighth post sharing my thoughts and pictures inspired by David Whyte's book Consolations: the solace, nourishment and underlying meaning of everyday words. Since I've written an introduction paragraph for this project seven times, I can find nothing new to say. Since words escape me, I'll quote from my last blog post, "We read his thoughts on a word, form our own opinions, and then take or find a picture to illustrate the word."  That's it in a nutshell! So, here's the next five words.

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ROBUSTNESS

The dictionary defines robustness as: "strong and healthy, successful or impressive and not likely to fail or weaken." In order that we keep our robust health we must find time to revitalize ourselves. We need to find the calm in the storms of life.

"Robustness strangely, demands we find a calm center in the midst of tumult. The quiet is what enables us to be cheerful in noise, equitable in the face of injustice or calm in the face of attack."   ~ David Whyte

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RUNAWAY

There have been times in my life when I wish I could detach myself from what is happening around me and just runaway for a awhile. I would like to find a lovely sailboat and set sail with no destination in mind. I would like to feel the sun, see the drifting clouds, smell the salt water, and let the breeze blow my troubles away. Of course, when I have found the peace that restores me, I will sail right back home!

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SELF-KNOWLEDGE

I wish I had the key to fully know myself or even partially understand myself, but try as I might there are parts of me that remain a mystery.

"Sometime in your life you will go on a journey.

It will be longest journey you have ever taken.

It is the journey to find yourself."

Katherine Sharp

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SHADOW

The shadow we cast upon others is a pattern of who we are. I try very had to be a positive person. To cast a shadow of encouragement, inspiration, cheerfulness, gladness, and hope.

"Because everything we say and do is the length and shadow of our own souls,

our influence is determined by the quality of our being."

Dale Turner

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SHYNESS

David Wythe says "to feel shy is to look five ways at once: to the beckoning new life in front of us, to the line of retreat behind us, to alternative possibilities of escape to left and right, and in really difficult circumstances the hope for a complete and sudden disappearance." Oh yes, I've wanted to retreat, to escape, and just disappear many times rather than going forward into a situation that made me nervous or uncomfortable, even fearful.

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SILENCE

There are many kinds of silence. The Cambridge Dictionary defines silence "as a period without any sound: complete quiet." That kind of silence is fearful to me. I would not like complete quiet where I couldn't hear the words of a loved one, the ringing of a bell, the twitter of birds, the wind rustling through leaves, and the water babbling in a brook. I don't yearn for silence, although I do yearn for quietness and stillness.

This project of words and pictures is coming to an end. We have six more words; one more post. I need to begin searching for my next project as they keep me inspired to pick up my camera.

Until next time,

keep on reading and learning!

Something New

I have some exciting news.

I'm starting a new adventure.

For four years I've been following a very special blog, Focusing On Life. It's a group of eight women that collaborate together "to create a caring community for people who are passionate about photography and life." They want their blog to "be a place that will inspire, teach, nurture, support and accept one another." I'm quoting from their blog, because they say it perfectly. They are passionate, They are inspiring. They teach. They nurture and support.

Now, here's my news. I've been asked to join this wonderful group of women. I am beyond thrilled. I hope you'll hop over to their blog today where I'm posting for the first time. It's exciting and a little scary. My intent is to share my thoughts and photography just like I do here.

Go check it our right here and let me know what you think!

Sunday Sundries - Edition 68

"How sweet to be a cloud

floating in the blue."

~ A. A. Milne

A Little Of This and That

There doesn't seem to be a day that goes by without the storm clouds rolling in. They don't always bring rain, but this one sure did. Lots and lots of rain and very high winds. There was no damage to our place but there are a few broken trees in the area. With all the rains, I haven't been able to go on any photo walks and I miss them!  The only walking I get to do is around the yard. I'm desperately needing to get away with only my camera for some peace. In the meantime I keep telling myself that there's plenty of things around here to take pictures of, but it's just not the same. A day beside some moving water would be perfect!

As I've walked up the lane to check on my dad, I've noticed that the blackberries have begun to form. I can remember my mom making the most delicious blackberry cobbler. I don't know how she ever beat the birds to them, because I sure can't. Once they ripen, they're gone!

I don't have to walk far in the yard to see that the warm sun and the moisture has brought out the mushrooms.

This one reminds me of a tiny fairy house. There's a little door at the bottom, a couple of windows, and a jagged little roof.

  

I saw this small heart shape in the pavement which reminded me to love where I am and to be content. The rain will stop and things will settle down. I know they will. They have to!  

Maybe not this week or the next week, but someday, hopefully in the near future, I'll be going on a photo walk again; just me and my camera!

"Contentment has the ability

to squeeze out of every situation

all the good there is to get."

~ Shantidasa

Friday Finds

Fall has arrived and bringing with it many changes: the daylight hours are shorter, the air is becoming slightly cooler, the leaves are changing colors, the squirrels are storing food, and the birds are flying south. Of all the changes that fall brings, I find myself most amazed by the skies.

The atmospheric changes are creating the most gorgeous skies of blue. When a few white puffy clouds are added it's breathtaking. I find that every time I go outside I step off the porch and look up. Sometimes I find shapes in the clouds. In the image below do you see a blue heart in the small cloud near the center. 

It isn't any wonder that my favorite color is blue. 

I read that the color blue is considered beneficial to the mind and body. I agree, all it takes is one look at the blue skies and I feel a sense of peace.

My wish for you is found in the words of Ella Fitzgerald...

Blue Skies

Smiling at me

Nothing but blue skies

Do I see

Linking with Kim at Friday Finds

A New Year!

 

Here I sit wondering what I'll write about in this New Year. It seems like it should be something profound; something inspiring and encouraging, but nothing comes to mind! I haven't had the time or the energy to think about what I want to focus on this year or goals I want to accomplish, so, I'm just going to ignore if for a while.

 

New Year's Day was beautiful with blue skies, fluffy white clouds, and a promise of snow (which did not arrive) and that was fine with me since we were traveling.

 

 

We spent a couple of days with our daughter's family. We had time with our daughter, her husband and three of our grandsons, a warm fire, games to play, delicious food, and left over Christmas sweets. We even had the traditional  black-eyed peas on New Year's Day for good luck. Two of the boys only ate one pea, they just didn't like them!

 

The skies were just amazing as we traveled home.  Mr. H drove the last part of the way so I could take some pictures.

  

 

Today brought cold temperatures and high winds. I wasn't too interested in going out, so I broke out a puzzle, lit the stove, and just had myself a lazy day.

 

 

I'm wishing all you guys a very Happy New Year!

Hope you're all safe and warm.