Contemplating.

Contemplating.
Wayzata, Minnesota

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Tree Talk



"The more slowly trees grow at first,
the sounder they are at the core,
and I think the same is true of human beings."
Henry David Thoreau




There's a certain magic about trees at play 
offering a kinship to all that greet them.
Their strange and powerful draw always 
awakens us to their presence.





Each tree is firmly rooted 
their branches reaching out much like
 our own myths and rituals in life.
Their leaves gather around us from 
days past and grace our future.
 Much like the people in our lives.


Coincidentally trees have been heavy in my thoughts lately,
(can you tell?)
and it's perfect for Carmi's theme this week is Trees!


THEMATIC PHOTOGRAPHIC
Trees Talk

are you listening?


They tell us stories. If you look closely 
they will reveal everything about themselves.


A tree's imperfection is as impressive
 as each perfection.


People are much like trees in that
"We are the seeds of the tenacious plant,
and it is our ripeness and our fullness
of heart that we are given
to the wind and scattered."
Kahlil Gibran



"Trees are poems that the earth writes upon the sky."
Kahlil Gibran


In the rings of their years,
they/we stand the test of time 
some stand alone
many grouped in groves
always truthful 
sharing willingly  
its scars and endless storms
where winds rustle
and raindrops drip
they're willingly
soaked by sun beams
wintered by wind and snow
a trees strength weighed 
in trust and sanctuary.
Me



Even when we don't aim to capture trees in our photos
it seems their shadows find a way of appearing,
if just to jazz things up.




On shooting trees.  I wonder, do we seek the trees 
or do they find their way into our photos?

When you approach something to photograph, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave until you have captured its essence.
-Minor White



I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees.
Henry David Thoreau



"There are voices which we hear 
in solitude but they grow faint and inaudible 
as we enter into the world."
Ralph Waldo Emerson



No snowflake ever falls in the wrong place.
Zen Saying




Have a mind so quiet, that you can hear doves whispering
as they rest their wings in the rafters of 
your silent sanctuary. Kate M. Robertson


Remember,

"Every oak tree started out as a couple of nuts
who stood their ground."
Thoreau

Thanks for sharing this time together.
take good care of you.


Yep, I'm still (through each snowflake falling presently) 
hoping for spring, soon?!

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

A Fairer View

Spring is here!




This photo is an oldie but this is how our spring should be today!



Taken this morning.

So yeah, spring is here, inasmuch hehehe, to the extent winter is allowing that is.

Not to worry though, otherwise happiness will never prevail.

Something opens our wings.
Something makes boredom and hurt disappear.
Someone fills the cup in front of us. 
We taste only sacredness.





In the search of finding those somethings!







Our own special place
 is a place we gravitate to for healing.
Although we may call it something else.
To blow off steam, find our muse to repair our souls.
Usually this place began in childhood, 
a place where you went if you were sad, afraid, worried, or confused.
 A self-cleansing, a purifying place to calm our raging spirits.




Each holiday arrives with memories of the ones before it.

This time of year is quite emotional for me.
Pictured is my father and sister, before I was born. A happy vacation it was for them. 
But today they, and my mother are heavy in my thoughts. We lost my sister the day after Easter when I was almost 12. Sending love to heaven.


Happiness, that grand mistress of the ceremonies in the dance of life,
impels us through all its mazes and meanderings, but leads none of us
by the same route.
Charles Caleb Colton






Listen closely, do you hear the music too?




Our whole life is an attempt to discover when our spontaneity is whimsical, sentimental irresponsibility and when it is a valid expression of our deepest desires and values.
Helen Merrell Lynd




Soon there won't be an open table without a wait, but I promise they'll have flowers in bloom too! 





Any path is only a path, and there is no affront, to oneself or to others, 
in dropping it if that is what your heart tells you.
Charles Castaneda





True friendship is like sound health; 
the value of it is seldom known until it be lost.
Charles Caleb Colton





Friday night fun time!




Okay to be fair, these photos were taken in Novemeber
(very, very much like spring weather)
and we were in search of that perfect tree for Christmas was achieved! 

But really,

Everyday is a good day,
there is something to learn, care and celebrate!
Amit Ray



A day is a day. It's a measurement of time.
Whether its a good day or bad day is up to you.
It's all a matter of perception.
Donald L. Hicks


Look into the stillness.


The closer you come to knowing that you alone
 create the world of your experience,
 the more vital it becomes for you to discover
 just who is doing the creating. 
Eric Micha'el Leventhal



Thanks for stopping by you visits mean the world to me!
Take good care of you.





Monday, March 19, 2018

Spring in Hastings

Spring isn't on the calendar yet, but I'm hoping for it real soon.



As far as our calendar goes tomorrow spring will be here.
Friends have seen my Hastings photos and responded with, Brrrr!
But in truth, I wore a hooded sweatshirt and never used my hood!
The sunshine was hot!



Love is our true destiny.
We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves,
we find it with another.
Like,

Another sunny day!

New friends.


Another new pup and his brothers to meet!





Another delicious burger!
Still enjoy their Happy Meals with a toy.




Life is not a problem to be solved,
but a mystery to be lived.
Thomas Merton




A sunny walk along the Mississippi River.




So happy I wore boots.


Happiness is not a matter of intensity 
but of balance,
order, rhythm and harmony.
Thomas Merton





To have eyes like an eagle, you stop for things like leaves that never gave up the fight.  Even through all the blustery winter winds, they're still hanging on.

Just before I shot this, three children (in shorts, no jackets, and just their sneakers) made their way up these stairs. Yep, remember those days.
Okay, maybe not.


Yep, boots are key!


Better seating here.





The Mississippi River towns are commonly, clean,
 well built and pleasing to the eye,
and cheering to the spirit.
Nothing to hang a fret or worry or worry upon.
Mark Twain


I came here to see winter slowly slipping by,
and it felt as though winter wasn't quite ready to leave.



Yep, not the best seat here.



This, a likely chance to house an elf or gnome? 



Art made from nature by a friend I've posted his artwork before.


Always look upwards!
Or you may miss something.


Just a slight breeze added to their beauty.



You have been created in order that you might make a difference.
You have within you the power to change the world.
Andy Andrews
#ParklandStrong



Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water
(or a boat passes by)
the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.
Dalai Lama




Another somebunny loves you!

Thanks for stopping by
your comments brighten my day.
enjoy your week and first day of spring tomorrow!
Take good care of you.

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Still Looking for a Leprechaun

Happy St. Patrick's Day 

May you always have 
a sunbeam to warm you,
Good luck to charm you
and a sheltering angel
So nothing can harm you.
Laughter to cheer you.

and
Welcome to
and



Some birds aren't meant to be caged
or even fly.
They're meant to be enjoyed.


From Murdo 1880 Town, South Dakota

You can judge a man's true character by
the way he treats his fellow animals.
Paul McCartney

Animals are born who they are
accept it, and that is that.  They
live with greater peace than people do.
Gregory Maguire





Misty I hope you didn't catch a Leprechaun.



Just be who you are and say what you feel,
 but always listen more than you speak.


One of us remembered to wear green hair!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it's
better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring!
Marilyn Monroe




SEPIA SATURDAY


I'm very curious about the story behind this week's
 theme photo with young lads 
walking in the rain at night 
with a Vancouver Policeman.

As you'll see next I'm going a wee bit off Sepia Saturday's main theme.
and I know a few people who will find this story refreshingly delicious!

I have to share this incredible story today for those of you that might 
 be making toasts with a glass of Guinness for St. Patrick's Day.
It's one you'll likely never forget.

This  St. Patrick's Day story retold by Peter Moloney is

A true tale of 8 sailors saved by Guinness.
Seriously.
This story begins from October 12, 1917 and the link's opening photo is from June 1955, on a quayside in Dublin with workers rolling potentially lifesaving barrels of Guinness
the link to this story here.
Ireland's famous stout was cause for a true celebration, it saved lives.

Who would have thought beer barrels had such a life saving fight in them?

How about some
Children and Parents enjoy a St. Patrick's Day parade!



Children everywhere are asking.
Leprechaun, oh Leprechaun where can you be?




Many of you are experiencing real spring, 
while Minnesota is dragging a bit behind.
But in my search for open water,
 There are places without ice. 


Today in Hastings 
no waiting for a park bench today!


Surprisingly, I had to wait to shoot this without walkers and their dogs! So many pups out today, it was wonderful.



Thanks for sharing your time and comments 
take good care of you.