Dew on Clover

The sun was twinkling over the crest of the hill when I noticed the clover at my feet clustered with dew, glistening like tiny jewels.

Blue and Gold

This photo has not been touched up at all. Something in the camera created the lucious blue background you see here. I find it interesting that these colors are complimentary colors--total opposites on the color wheel.

Rusty Teeth

I was driving on a rugged dirt road near Sheridan, where the gentle swell of the Coastal mountains begin. It is so beautiful out there, one could never capture it with a camera. I was, however able to capture these rusty teeth, abandoned at the corner of a vast field filled with yellow flowers.

Gourmet Heart

Quite unexpectedly, my youngest daughter came running downstairs just now, to press something small into my fingers. She grinned and said, "I thought you'd like this one, Mom!" When I saw what it was I smiled, and felt honored.

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And so, I dedicate this unusual gourmet heart to all those marvelous Daughters, Sisters, Moms, and Friends who bring such unexpected joy into our lives.

Snow Faery

This is a photo of my garden, taken at night out the back door, during the big snowstorm. It was so beautiful. I am always in awe of the snow's mysterious ability to change everything with it's magical blanket of beauty.

As I wrote to a dear friend this week, " There’s something about snowflakes. The beauty of their way through the air. How they cover the world and make everything beautiful--somehow falling snow is peaceful. If one is inside next to a roaring fireplace, a windy snowstorm brings a sense of peace with it. "

But now I think I know why snow is so magical. If you look closely, you'll see there's a snow faery laughing through the snowflakes.

Oregon Wine Country

A few miles out of town you become aware you are in the heart of Oregon wine country. There are ornate gates, and elegant drives leading to gorgeous inns with spacious gracious rooms. The gentle swelling hills are covered with well-tended grape vines, some of which, as you can see from my photo, have been there for a very long time.

Scarlet against Snowfall

On one of our wonderful walks--cameras in tow--my sister Clytie and I were graced with a surprise snowstorm. Whenever I am feeling stressed, or sad, I think of our lovely times together. I am so grateful for my precious sister.
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Clytie's blog Random Hearts http://clytie-randomhearts.blogspot.com/ has photos of hearts she's found in the most unlikely places. Visit her blog and you will be refreshed and encouraged.
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When I clicked this photo I was leaning out of an abandoned cabin window to capture the brilliance of red leaves against the falling snow. You're right, Sissy--it is amazing how different our photos of red leaves turned out! I think I like yours best! (grin)

Ribbons of Birds

At the Baskett Slough Bird Sanctuary things get busy as the sun sets. It is spectacular to watch millions birds of flocking layer upon layer, all looking for places to settle for the night. I was stunned by the sheer number and variety of them.
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One could wax poetical over the incredible beauty of ribbons of birds pressed against those vivid pink and purple skies. They massed overhead like a living archway. I was filled with awe. What I've captured here is only a tiny savor of what that real moment was like.

Lily Pond Reflections

This is a photo I snapped a few years ago. There's something so lovely and peaceful about a water lily. The fragrance of the lilies can be magical on a soft warm summer evening. This sweet white flower with its golden heart grew from a start Dad gave to me. The pond with its spry goldfish and lovely flowerings is the center of my garden.

Risk Taker

This little beauty barred my way as I walked upon a path in the Redwood National Forest. The shroom bravely defied not only the incredible strength and power in the size of the redwood trees, but the rude shock of human boots. I believe if asked the Shroom would say it finds its dangerous life in the pathway to be delightful.

This delicately colored mushroom is a true risk taker.

Did You Say Something?

This is a little Chickadee who seemed quite intrigued that a human might sound so much like a bird. If she were a person, she'd be leaning from a doorway, hands on hips, elbows akimbo, head tilted to one side, face graced with a quizzical grin. "Um, did you say something?"

'Tis Fall Today

I have not been feeling very well the past two days. In my fragile state this morning it seems a bit of color would be appropriate. Hence this photo of last Fall's leaves. I found them near the Independence Bridge.

I love every season. Spring with it's tender green leaves and blooms, Summer with its warmth and brilliance, Winter with its stark beauty, and then Fall. Fall is harvest, nostalgia and gorgeous color--a last hurrah before the cold.

I came upon this photo today, and it's colorful aspect charmed my eyes, and so I share it with you.

Birdhouse

While at my parent's home I found this amazing birdhouse tucked into a flowering cherry tree. It looks like it is an actual part of the tree itself.

In His Pants

Here she is, curled up in my husband's pants. Alan had to change clothes for an appointment. We laughed and laughed when we discovered Crickette's choice of a place to nap. She was so cute, and seemed so mischievous (look at her face), I took her picture.

This pretty little kitty adores my husband. She sits on the back of the couch and grooms his hair. She trips him in the kitchen, sits on his computer and whenever she can she sleeps on his clothing. She tolerates me with a kitty giggle and grin, but the true love of her life is Alan.

Body Snatcher Plant

I came across these odd looking pods while driving along a country road. My son, well used to the odd behavior of his mother when it comes to flowers, clouds and other interesting diversions, was quite tolerant as I slammed to a stop in the gravel, to leap from the car, camera in hand, to take a picture of this wonderful oddity.

I have since discovered these pods unfold into white star-shaped blossoms commonly called "Cow flowers."

Personally I think they resemble those pods from the Body Snatcher Movie.

WATCH OUT! THE ALIENS ARE COMING!!!


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Autumn Mushrooms

Last Fall I snapped this photo of two mushrooms peeking from a bevy of fallen leaves. I am sure they must be Mother and daughter, and they're laughing because both have a leaf on their noses.

Of One Heart

Here is the photo I was clicking, when my darling sister Clytie http://clytie-randomstuff.blogspot.com/2009/03/artist-well-in-hand.html took a photo of the artist (me) clicking the shutter.

Sissy and I are kindred spirits. We have one heart when it comes to photography (and a lot of other stuff, too). We are members of a mutual admiration society. Please visit both of her websites. Clytie is a natural born photographer who's work is instinctively gorgeous, often with interesting perspectives. Coupled with her strange and wonderful sense of humor--I look forward to perusing her blogspot each and every day.

Lavender on Ice

Last Monday I went on a most wonderful walk with my younger sister Clytie. We tromped, cameras in hand, through the empty ruins of a nearby mega church (with permission, of course).

It is amazing, that in the presence of so much vandalism and ruin, one can find such beauty. The snow began to fall, touching our world with its special magic. Snow has the ability to transform ordinary things into extraordinary objects. It enhances beauty into absolute splendidness. (I know there's no such word--but in this case, only a made-up word fits!) (grin)

Here you see Lavender on Ice--if you look close enough I believe you can actually see the intricate shapes of the snowflakes.

Windows of Mystery

This seems to be a painting in which the cunning skill of a great artist has fooled our eyes.

But instead they are windows. Windows of mystery.

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I found them near Astoria, Oregon. They are a part of the incredible ruins of Fort Stevens where an enemy submarine was spotted and fired upon during World War 2.

Blue Sunset

On a dreary, windy, rainy day like today, it is good to think back on spectacular sunsets. And not just sunsets, but memories of laughter, good cheer, family and old friends.

Ah, the beauty of the sunset.

Contrasts

I took this photo last Summer. I love the graduation of color--from deep lush red, to green, to white. And if you look very closely, you'll see the middle tomato is, er, smiling!

Viva La Tomato!

Purple Glories

These are the gorgeous flowers I remember from childhood. We lived so close to my Grandmother, there was a path worn smooth across the field to her house. My brothers and sisters and I spent many a happy day playing in her yard near the porch where these flowers twined up the porch supports to lavish the eye with their beauty.

Rainbow Air

One bright spring morning, I was astonished by a rainbow in a form I'd never witnessed before. Its bright colors, rather than curving into a bow, actually textured the air itself. I pulled over and tried to capture what I saw. Here you see only a fraction of the beauty of that moment.

Woodland Faery Castle

This is one of the castles my sister Clytie and I discovered on one of our long tromps through the mysterious forest. I have no doubt but that in silvery starlight, one would find the faery folk dancing upon the mosses. There would be light streaming from the castle's invisible windows, and faery music floating out through the air.

Now, That's a Dandy Lion

Three times a day I brew a bitter tea from dried dandilion roots. The last batch I left stewing for a bit too long, and could hardly choke it down. Most of the time the tea is tolerable, even pleasant. There's something comforting about the ritual of making tea, then holding a steaming cup between one's hands. I'm looking forward to spring when the clover, violets, daisies and dandilions spring up into the grassy green of my lawn.

Rose Hips in Green Enfold

Last Fall I found these gorgeous rose hips along the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. They are amazing--so lush red and green. A color delight to the palate of the eyes.

Sunset in the Grass

I happened to be driving out in the toolies one fine afternoon. My eye was caught by a flash of color. I pulled over and hopped out to further investigate. I was astounded to find a bevy of gorgeously colored grasses. It seemed to me the vivid colors of the sunset had found their way into them. So very unexpected!

Pink Elegance

My husband and I drove from the coast home today. On our way home we stopped at the Baskett Slough. The clouds were just extraordinary. This is only one sample of the wonderful glories of tonight's skies.

Grande Old Tree

In the forests of our childhood live giants of old. This ancient twisted maple has been alive for hundreds of years. Imagine the stories this tree could tell. My Sister, Clytie of Random Hearts, was the first to notice the graceful mossy heart of this grande old tree.

What Gorgeous Paws You Have

When Elvis left the building, my son was devastated. It was mid-winter, not the time for kittens, but we went to the Humane Society to see who might be waiting for us. We found a small orange half-grown cat, who had been rescued by one of the workers there. The tiny kitty was so close to dying, he'd been taken home, and nursed back to health. As soon as Little Buddy saw my son, it was a one-way road. We brought the little cat home to stay.

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What an unusual cat! He loved anything he could drag around the house with his teeth. That included pieces of plastic, string, head phones, jewelry, extension cords and scarves, to name a few of the things which took his fancy.

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Here Little Buddy, who is not so very little these days, is trying to take a nap. In fact, I think he's beginning to get annoyed with the photographer!

Orange on Yellow

This is Elvis DeBoomba, sitting atop a bevy of leaves. This giant Main Coon loved the Fall. Leaves twirling down through the air were endlessly fascinating to him. He would chase them, play with them, toss them into the air--and sleep on them whenever he could.