Wordless Wednesday - Late October

Sunday Stroll - Short and Sweet

My day is full,

but I couldn't deny Micah 

a short, but sweet, morning walk.

Tendrils of sun lit our way,

as we followed a silver ribbon of creek

along the edge of the cedar swamp.

Busy honey bees dipped in and out of the stream

for water.  But we meandered casually,

coming up out of the woods,

 and into the field

to hike home in full sunshine.

It was good to see a few late blossoms 

in the long south meadow.

These two black-eyed Susans are aglow,

when all the others faded many weeks ago.

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you joy.

Click here to be transported to Steve's Sunday Stroll, Out on the Prairie.

Just a note: There were several comments on my blog when I checked earlier, and when I tried to click "publish" I think I accidentally hit "delete."  I'm so sorry if your comment does not appear.  Can't figure out how to retrieve them!  Thank you for your kindness in commenting, and I hope you will try again!  :) 

Wordless Wednesday - Artichokes

Monday Muse - Autumn

Here is another ode to autumn, which inspires me with the ease and beauty of the guitar, piano, and this young woman's crystal clear vocals.  The lyrics of this song are a bit melancholy, but as I worry over wildfires, and political turmoil, and other matters beyond my scope of influence, I am finding that the bittersweet tone suits my mood.   Music offers comfort and solace to me every day.

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you peace.

Sunday Stroll - Black and White

We walked this afternoon on the Lake Michigan Shoreline.  Strong winds, with gusts up to 45 miles per hour, whipped the waves into a frenzy.  Shoulders hunched, we followed our carefree Huskie along the soggy zone between surf and sand.   I did not have a camera with me, so I am sharing instead some photos from a "Black and White Challenge" that a friend tagged me for on Facebook.  

My idea of black and white is to leave a suggestion of color.  

I guess I never completely see the world as strictly black and white.

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you joy.

Don't miss Steve's stroll in full, beautiful color, Out on the Prairie!

Nature Notes from My Journal

Yes, Pom Pom, 

I did draw at least one of the unexpected guests in my garden. 

This praying mantis was a master 

(or mistress?) of camouflage, 

 and really blended in with the green leaves 

of the deliciously fragrant lemon balm.

 I found a beautiful blue-jay feather this week 

that I want to add to my journal.

 I am trying to decide whether 

to make a little pocket, 

to draw it, 

or both.

Isn't it lovely?

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you joyful discoveries.

Wordless Wednesday - Unexpected Guests

Monday Muse - In Honor

"Tom Petty was the Edward Hopper of American songwriters," it begins. "He was a certain kind of bird that had no legs, so he could never land on this earth; he lived his whole life in the sky. And now he will spread his wings and sleep on the wind. His name is written in the stars." 

John Mellencamp.


Another guitar inspiration this week, but of a different genre.  You will find many covers of this sweet song on YouTube.  I have been learning this one myself.  It's simple and pretty, and nestles in comfortably with the folk music I usually perform.

Love the lyrics, especially this: "You belong among the wildflowers.  You belong somewhere you feel free."

RIP, Tom Petty.

Sunday Stroll - Morning Chores & Nature Journal

Will you come along with me to do morning chores,

before I go lend a hand at the vineyard for the afternoon?

We'll walk past the wind sculptures,

gently rocking in an easy breeze,

and past the bees and the flock of tiny buntings,

feeding in the wildflower garden,

to the old school bus that houses our rabbit friends.

Oops, no photos of the rabbits, 

but here is their bus driver, PJ.

The sun blazes over and through the grapevines,

as we let the chickens out of the coop.

Speaking  of birds,

let's head to the front yard,

to fill the feeder.

Now that chores are done,

and rabbits and chickens and wild birds are fed,

here is a quick look back at the last few days in my nature journal.

What colors are you noticing where you live?

What are you grateful for?

What are the simple pleasures that fill your days?

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you joy.

Friday - From a Fresh Perspective

It seems we often follow 

the same old trails,

every day.

Once in a while,

it is good to get a fresh perspective.

It is good to kneel in the grass,

breathing in

the heady fragrance of abundance.

Occasionally,

we could stand at the bottom of a hill,

looking up.

Sometimes, perhaps,

we need to lie on the earth,

with our palms pressed to the ground,

and gaze

at the sky above us.

We may notice, then,

that all things are connected.

If we stand,

still and quiet,

in the dappled light,

we may learn that even 

shadow and light 

are intertwined.

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you peace.

Nature Journal - To Linger in the Fresh Air

My nature journal continues.  

On busy days, I sketch in my thoughts 

and go back and add color when I have more time.  

I had to acknowledge canning the last of this year's tomatoes, 

with a quick sketch of our primary cultivar:

Amish Paste Tomatoes, a great all-purpose heirloom.

Finally, the past few days have returned to cooler temperatures.

Even on the warmer, sunnier days, the breeze feels autumnal.

I feel a suggestion of urgency in that breeze...

to stock the pantry and set cozy blankets all around the house.

Conversely, I want to leave the chairs on the decks,

so that we may gather with friends and family 

a few more times, 

to linger comfortably in the fresh air,

before really cool weather sets in.

Wherever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you comfort.