Thursday, April 30, 2009

Flowering Shroom


This one's for my darling Sister! As soon as I saw it growing in my garden, I thought of Clytie--the mushroom Queen!

Isn't the patterning of on this flowering Mushroom beautiful?! If you look closely, I think you might see a face, or a heart, or...What do you see?

You can check out Clytie's wonderful photography and experience her unique sense of humor at http://clytie-randomhearts.blogspot.com/ and http://clytie-randomstuff.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Cloud Circle

I have been fascinated by clouds since I was a small girl. I can remember swinging on the swingset watching cloud formations with a sense of great awe.

Things haven't changed all that much. I still walk looking up at the skies. I might miss something. Then again, I might trip over something on the ground if I'm not careful! (Grin)

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

The Delicate Green

I was walking to my neighbor's house, when I saw the shining green of new growth shimmering in the springtime sunshine. The Delicate Green reminds me of a leaf-clad tree nymph. I suppose if one were to look closely, one might be able to see her. (grin)

Monday, April 27, 2009

Hidden

Several years ago my family and I made a cross-country trip to the East Coast. We were driving down a lonely road in Montana when by chance, and totally unexpectedly, we noticed something a little strange about the hillside.

Can you see them?

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Barefoot by the River

We went for a long walk. We admired the flowers, and checked out various kinds of bugs. We whistled to the birds, and cawed with the crows. We swung in the swings, we slid down the slides, we climbed the monkey bars.

We threw rocks into the water and giggled at the waves. She and I understood that as the waves shooshed and splashed ashore--the river was laughing with us.

Then on that unseasonably warm spring day, we rested barefoot by the river.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

I DO Believe in Fairies!

I often walk with my neighbor and her dogs in the mornings. We mosey along flower-lined sidewalks past a nearby school, to a wide open field--the perfect place for the dogs to play and roam. Two sides of the field are forest and stream. In spring there is a bower of blossomed beauties. Trees covered with fragrant white blossoms, looking like a bevy of decked out brides.

I could not resist taking a close up of one of these beauties...look quick, because I think I startled a little faery. She fled in a splash of rainbows. (grin)

Friday, April 24, 2009

It is Rosemary

Here is the fragrant blossom of Rosemary. These delicate blooms are good in salads and a real treat when sprinkled on buttered toast. This wonderful herb delights not only our sense of taste, but is easy on the eye with it's own special brand of beauty.

Rosemary flowers and leaves are wonderful in salads, on toast and a marvelous addition to soups, and roasts, not to mention a little kick if you like humus.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Snow on a Catwalk


Our old home has an actual catwalk around the outside on the second story--just enough of a ledge for a cat. I clicked this photo of our black cat "Snow" as she surveyed her world from the catwalk. I posterized it, and it came out so well, I thought I'd share it with you. As you can see, she has personality in spades!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Grand Reflections

I was outside talking on the phone with my sister Clytie, when I noticed this bug sitting upon a reflection of our neighbor's house. As we talked, I shot his picture--how neat is that? To talk to my sister and at the same take a picture of a cool bug!!!
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I was wondering what grand thoughts he might be having as he sat there. He's a rather pretty bug, isn't he? I think he's some kind of cricket.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Upsy Daisy!

I was soaking up the sun in the back yard, when this perfect little daisy smiled up at me. I could hardly resist taking her picture!!! Ah, Spring!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Little Angel

Who says there is no such thing as angels?! Here's proof! (grin) Last Halloween my husband and I visited Santa Clara, where the entire town dresses up to give candy out to the little ones. But it isn't just the children who come in costume, their parents, do too!

I just happened to catch this small angel pleading with passers by, and could not resist snapping this photo.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Heart of Winter

There was a break in January's winter storm, when I took this photo through the uppermost window on the stairs. At the time I didn't notice the heart leaf covered with snow, which looks for all the world like the Heart of Winter.

What do you think, Sissy?! I would never have noticed this heart, except for your wonderful eye for hearts everywhere.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Rainbow Around the Sun

Just now I was talking to my darling Sissy on the phone, and stepped out into the morning sunshine. I could not believe my eyes. There was a beautiful ethereal rainbow around the rising sun.

Whenever something amazing, or wonderful happens in my life, there are rainbows. This one seems especially precious to me, because I was talking with Clytie when I beheld it.

And so, I dedicate this morning's sunshine rainbow to sisters everywhere. What would life be without sisters? We are blessed to have each other, aren't we? ((hugs))

Friday, April 17, 2009

Springtime Caterpiller

How amazing to find such a fat and colorful caterpiller in a field where birds abound! Soon there will be butterflies! Spring is finally here.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Morning Song

Early this morning, I walked along a field where the birds dip and wheel across the skies. Their songs fill the air. I noticed a small sparrow sitting atop a red-leafed bush. She seemed awed by the beauty of the morning...

The tiny bird could not seem to help herself, she burst into song. And so did I.
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Click on the pictures to better see the detail of this darling little songbird.

Rain Drop

There is beauty in a spring rainstorm. If you look closely you can actually see the world reflected upside down in a rain drop!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Vivid

This morning is grey and dark. The weather reflects the state of my spirit at this moment. So I chose this gorgeous, vivid flower for today's post. The colors of this picture fill my eyes. I don't know what it is about brilliant color and flamboyant composition, but somehow when my eyes behold a photo containing both, my heart is better for it.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Rainbow Over the River


I thought it was time for another rainbow picture. Here you see the beauty of the rainbow as it arches its brilliant colors over the Willamette River. This was taken a couple of years ago with my very first camera.
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I was sitting on the bank of the river, having gone for a walk. It was sunny when I'd started out, but I'd brought an umbrella just in case, because I'd glimpsed some purple clouds on the horizon. It was a good thing! As I huddled beneath the shelter of my umbrella, a strong swift storm crashed through. The wind blew and howled through the honey trees, the lighting flashed, the thunder cracked and boomed. And then stillness and the rainbow.
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As my sweet Sissy advised years ago, "There could be no rainbows without both the sunshine and the rain." Such is life.
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We would not know true joy for what it is, unless we'd experienced the storm beforehand.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Fire in the Skies

This was one of the very first photos I shot of a sunset, almost two years ago. Though this picture was taken with a camera of lesser pixels, this amazingly gorgeous sunset still astounds my eyes.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Curious Morning Glory

Two summers ago, quite early in the morning, I traipsed outside to feed the fish in my garden pond. Imagine my surprise to see THIS character peering in my door. The little flower stalker (no pun intended) was obviously curious about who lived inside the house. I was sure if he thought he could, he'd come in for a visit.

Friday, April 10, 2009

Bed of Moss

I had a dream Wednesday night. I was in a great green forest. Somehow I was lost, but not afraid. I was tired, so I lay down upon a high stump and pulled the moss up over myself like a soft green blanket.
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Then suddenly there was a snoring bear next to me. Hmmmmm…I nudged the bear, and snuggled the moss closer beneath my chin. Funny thing, it was so soft, fragrant and warm. I could even feel the little sticks moss often has within itself. I was so comfortable. It was a rather magical dream.
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If only life could really include moss blankets in the middle of the forest.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Conversation With a Robin

My husband and I were on our way to Astoria. We found a park along the road, and stopped to look at a giant rusty train engine. I was fascinated.
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Then I heard the cheery chirrup of a fat robin hopping across the grass toward me. Of course I answered back. Surprised, the little bird stopped. He looked looked left, then right. I could hear his thoughts. "Who said that!?"

I whistled again. He hopped nearer for a closer look, glimpsed the human and halted with a flip of his tail feathers. "Wait a minute! That's not a bird!" To his obvious astonishment, I whistled once more. He chirped a soft reply. "Who IS that?"

And I answered. He seemed to realize then, it was truly I who was talking to him. He looked me up and down. "Good grief! It IS a HUMAN!"

He hopped a few more steps closer, shook his feathery head, and stared at my feet in shock. "No feathers, and those feet! I can't believe it!"
But then to make sure, he quickly checked behind him. "Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe there IS another bird behind me!"
I whistled again. He ran a few paces nearer and came to a sudden decision. "Nope, it IS that human standing there grinning at me."
He gazed up at me and whistled just to make sure. When I answered, his expressive little face said it all. "Well I'll be a Robin's egg!"
He hopped a foot or two more, and just before he flew away, he paused to take another startled glance.
I leaned against the rusty old train and laughed with that abandoned joy which comes with the truly hilarious.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Daffy Down Dillies

Out for a walk yesterday, I came upon this trio of curous daffodils. I wondered what had caught their attention, and noticed a very fat cat lying on the sidewalk within their sight. Perhaps they'd never seen a cat before? Or maybe it was my boot-clad foot. One just never knows. (grin)

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Ocean Opal

Last May I had the privilege of catching an Ocean Opal with my camera. A sky opal happens in an instant, as the sun goes down, flashing light up through the clouds to creat a vivid jewel-shaped rainbow in the skies.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Spring Has Sprung!

There are signs of spring in the forest. Mayflowers, Trilliums, violets and Johnny Jump Ups. It is heartening to see the delicate flowers of springtime peeking through the moss. My darling Sissy Clytie first spied this little beauty as we made our way down a woodsy hillside covered with fern and moss. This bright herald of spring is called a Johnny Jump Up.

I have often wondered where the name Johnny Jump Up came from. So far I've found a song about a strong drink called a Johnny Jump Up. I also discovered a reference to an ancient machine called a Johnny Jump Up, crafted in the late 1800's. So far, I haven't been able to find a desciption of what the machine was made to do.

If anyone out there knows the story behind this woodland flower's funny name, I'd LOVE to hear it!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Faery Cups

Here is another treasure from a recent sojourn through the exquisite forest of my childhood. These are faery cups.

When we were small, my younger sister Clytie and I would set a tiny table for the fairies. A leaf tablecloth was graced with filbert nut bowls, pine needle utensils and lichen cups, such as you see here. Half a walnut shell held bits of bread crumbs, and Oak tree bug houses with the tops carefully popped open, often served as water pitchers.

When the food disappeared by the next day, we were sure the faeries had enjoyed a lovely dinner.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Sissy's Hands


Last Monday morning, Clytie and I went for a long tromp through the moss-draped forest. She probably didn't know I was taking this photo. (grin) Here the Artist focuses her camera on an unusual heart.
You can see this wonderful Artist's total concentration as she captures what she sees--gorgeous work, which fills my eyes.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Glory in the Small Things

Monday morning my Sister Clytie and I tromped through the spectacular woods of our childhood. I have never seen the moss grow so thick. It covers everything. Sissy and I enjoyed a magical morning filled with laughter and wonder over our discoveries.

I happened to look down, and saw this lovely bit of moss growing on a sprig of last year's blackberry vines.

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Luminous


One early foggy morning. I was driving in the fog along a road cleft deep between the green rolling hills of the Coastal range. The fog lifted a bit to reveal the side of a steep hill where a lone oak tree held the sun in a soft luminous embrace.