The Embrace of Trees

These trees stand along the road on the way to the home of my childhood--and they've been standing there as long as I can remember.  Thank the Lord, they haven't chopped down these beautiful cedars yet. 

This is a parent tree embracing her progeny.  Isn't this sweet?  You can stand in the middle of them--it is a wonderful feeling--like standing in the heart of the forest.

Have a lovely day, sweet  Friends!  

Beautiful Idaho, Gorgeous Oregon

On my way out of Kamiah, Idaho in the early morning--I captured the light as it kissed the tops of the trees.  It was SO beautiful there!

The road ran along a swift stream, where craggy cliffs brooded over the landscape.  I was quite taken with this particular view

I visited my brother and his family, who live in the Columbia Gorge.  This time of year, the hills are covered with beautiful yellow flowers.  Almost as though a cosmic hand decided to butter the sides of the steep slopes.

The wind was blowing quite briskly when I took this picture.  As you can see--it looks as though something has caught their attention.  I think I'm going to draw a cartoon of this--of course, these gorgeous girls will have faces.

Happy Mother's Day sweet Friends!

Mystery in the Front Yard

I stayed with my Mom for a few days and caught this amazing picture of her front yard.  Once there was a circle lawn there, where my cousins, neighbors and siblings and I played games like Statue and Red Rover.

Over the years, the forest has encroached and its mystery often slides into the front lawn where I once played as a child.  I rather love the idea.

In fact, one never knows what treasures  one may find beneath the oak and maple trees.  It is so beautiful.  I love my childhood home and the forests where we once played.

Have a lovely day, dear ones.  Some of you have been absent for quite awhile--I want you to know I noticed and I have been praying for you.

Merry Christmas!

Sap Flow

When I walk the forests of my childhood, I often see where the sap has run out of the tree.  We call it pitch.  The sap can trap insects, bubbles and reflect the colors of the forest.  It is often beautiful, as you can see.

Here is a photo of how the sap trails down trunk of this old fir.  It usually means the tree has been damaged in some way and the sap comes to the surface to heal the place which is damaged.

The Forests of my Childhood

The beautiful forests of my childhood, a pocket of green amidst the ever-encroaching city, is still there.

Here is the tree were we used to sit and swing.  It is still there--but it is much too tall and big to swing in these days.

Here is a view down into the canyon.  If you look closely, I believe you can see the creek peeking through the foliage.

Here's another view down into the canyon where we played as children.

I look at this photo, and I want to walk down into that cedar and moss forest...surely something magical lies beyond.

The sun comes out for a brief moment--filling the leaves with bright color.

Sometimes, standing at the edge of the canyon, looking down into the places we played as children, I can almost hear the echoes of those times--one moment from the past, superimposed upon the present.  For a few moments I am sure I can her children laughing. 

Glad Foxgloves in the Forest

Last Spring, my darling husband Alan and I were on our way back from celebrating our 31st anniversary.  When I saw these growing near the forest, I had to stop to take a picture.

I love foxgloves.  When I was a child, my sisters and I would put them on the ends of our fingers and pretend we were grand ladies wearing beautiful pink gloves.  Of course, we were warned not to eat any part of the flower as it was poisonous. It is my understanding digitalis is made from foxgloves.  Used in the right way, digitalis saves lives. There is so much to learn about the dangerous beauty of nature.

My prayer for you today, dear friends is on the side of beauty.  That in the mist of danger and trials, you will find that incredible beauty, gladness and hope are yours.

To grant those who mourn in Zion, 

Giving them a garland instead of ashes, 

The oil of gladness instead of mourning, 

The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. 

So they will be called oaks of righteousness, 

The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.  

~Isaiah 61:3

Mossy Forest -Guest Heart Thursday

This is a picture of the woods in winter.  Here in Oregon, up until January, the rains have soaked the ground and forests causing a huge amount of moss to grow.  It grows on everything.  Can you see the outline of a heart here?  I just love the woodlands here.

Have a lovely day and Happy Guest Heart Thursday.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Heart of the Woods -Guest Heart Thursday

A sweet young friend of mine sent the following quote by Patience Strong.  This is how I feel about the forest of my childhood.  There are other places which have the same amazing feeling to them.  I wanted to share this quote with you.

 If you stand very still in the heart of the woods 
You will hear many wonderful things

--The snap of a twig and the wind in the trees 
And the whirr of invisible wings. 

If you stand very still in the turmoil of life, 
And wait for the voice from within, 

you will be led down the quiet pathways of wisdom and peace 
In a mad world of chaos and din. 

If you stand very still and hold to your faith 
You will get all the help that you ask. 

You will draw from the silence the things that you need

--Hope and courage and strength for your task.

~ Patience Strong

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

I Believe in Faeries

This is the enchanted wood where Sissy and I stopped on our way back from the beach last September.

I was only recently going through those photographs, when I noticed there is what looks like a faery in this picture.  I have not done anything with this photograph, other than to crop it, copyright it, and level the colors.  I had uploaded it to facebook before I realized there's a real faery in the photo!!!

Can you see her?  Wings and all, to the left of the sun sparkle, in front of the smaller tree.  This is a stand of old growth trees--so the tree behind the faery is over a foot thick--the child of the humongous trees further back.  So, to put it into perspective, that faery was at least five inches from head to toe.  Why I didn't notice it until after I looked at the photos is anyone's guess!

I took Mumsie there last week on our way home from the Coast--no faeries this time, but the magic of that place steeps the air with mystery.

I hope to visit there often.  I would like to explore a little further.  Want to come, Sissy? 

Glory Light

Thursday I was visiting my parents and just before lunch Sissy and I took a walk.  The forest was beautiful, almost ethereal.  For the first time ever, I was able to capture the feel and magic of this place. 

Looking at those pictures now--it is almost as though the beauty I caught was a small bit of heaven's glory. 

Dad had a major stroke that afternoon.  Sissy and I were talking with him, he wanted me to read a couple of westerns, he handed me one of the books and then started to growl.  His eyes were wandering, his mouth sagged, he tried to talk and couldn't.  He couldn't lift his right arm and kept trying to get up, so Sissy and I held him steady in the chair while Mom called 911.  

He is in the hospital now.  The prognosis isn't very good.  I would appreciate your prayers for our Dad and for our Mom and family.  There has been so much heartache lately.

There is a hush in the air--heaven's glory light awaits our Daddy soon, I think.  Ah, our hearts are breaking.

I love you, Daddy.

Sissy Clytie said it best,  "So many people from around the world are directing their thoughts and prayers toward Dad and Mom; and our entire family. My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you."

Forest Angel

Sissy and I were heading back home after a wonderful walk through The Abandoned and the surrounding forests.  As we walked, I had the strangest feeling I should take some pictures just off the road--a place where we played as children.  We called it Leprechaun Valley.  There was a faery-like meadow filled with fern, Trilliums, May flowers and the perky little Johnny Jump ups.

I knew I'd caught a glimmer of something in the photograph I took of the meadow.  I showed the picture to Clytie, thinking it did look a little odd.  She agreed.

When I looked at this picture on my computer, to my astonishment I found my Forest Angel.  Can you see her there, dancing next to the moss covered snag?

Above you see a closeup--doesn't this look like a beautiful little angel with a halo?

Most unexpected!

Heart of Bramble - Guest Heart Thursday

Walking in the woods of our childhood late last summer, Sissy and I happened upon this broken bramble--one of the leaves had browned and curled into this perfectly shaped heart.

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.
 

Faery Greetings

Spring came early to the forests of our childhood.  Sissy and I found an amazing array of spring flowers this year.  Here is a photo of the old trees--Can you see the faery greeting in the delicate green of the forest floor?

I love to watch the seasons--walking with my darling Sissy in the woods where we played as children.  The magic is still there.

Beneath Huckleberry Bridge

Sissy and I went for another walk through the Forests of our childhood--this time we ended up in Deer Valley.

We leaned against the silent cedar trees.  Listened to the old hawk call in the air over our heads.  We ate huckleberries from a gigantic plant which I'm sure was the one from which we gathered berries as children.  Then Clytie and I hiked down the side of the canyon to Huckleberry Bridge and the old mud flats.  The mud flats are gone now, but Huckleberry Bridge still spans the stream.

As you see, there was magic in the air as the sun caught another world in the reflections beneath Huckleberry Bridge.  If I looked closer I am sure I would have heard the shouts of children playing--peals of laughter from long ago.

For more wonderful reflections from around the world, be sure to visit James at Weekend Reflections.

Mountain Retreat

I was up early to watch the sun shyly blink over the mountain.  The silence was filled with bird song and the crashing waters of Silver Creek Falls plummeting over the rim of the canyon.

I could not resist the beauty of the woods and went for an early morning walk.  I discovered this cascade of leaves and Trilliums near a tiny babbling brook.  I stopped and filled my eyes for awhile.

I found a sparkle of dew resting amid some graciously folded miner's lettuce. 

The cheery smile of a dancing Trillium greeted me as I passed along the mossy path.

Above you see the lush greens of the mosses which drape everything in the forest.  I think it looks like a giant ameba--and it's smiling!

 A cluster of georgeous wild flowers caught my eye with their vivid pinks and greens.

It was amazing how quiet it was after everyone left.  My husband was a little late, so I read a book in a cozy little gazebo beneath the tall fir trees.  But I wasn't alone.  Here you see my sweet Guardian.  She was the most gentle of souls and everywhere I went, she was sure to be found close by.

What a wonderful weekend we had!  Some of you have asked what kind of a retreat it was, along with my subject--I had the privilege of speaking to a lovely group of woman about my life's Journey to Joy.  I felt  miracles happening all around us.  It was hard to leave my dear friends . . . it is gives me such JOY to know there are others who are now beginning their own Journey to Joy.

Beauty on High

On one of our first forest tromps--Clytie and I visited our old haunts, Deer Valley, Bambi's meadow, the mud flats, and huckleberry bridge.

How wonderful to think as children we played there, not knowing years later we would return. I could hear echoes of laughter from long ago.

I am in awe of my sister Clytie's gift in photography. She has a way of seeing which astounds me. This ancient tree is one which captured both our imaginations.

I was fascinated by her photos of the same trees, flora and fauna--how similar, yet diverse, our perception and photos were! We took pictures of the same things, yet each of us ended up with very different viewpoints. I am PROUD of my sister. She has come through difficult life storms, yet she has an astounding capacity to see beauty.

This incredible tree is hollow inside--still, within there is a core of strength flourishing up through the twisted trunk to sample the clouds above. We, too, like this wonderful old tree, can find strength to grow up through the past, to rise into something amazing, to seek strength and beauty from on high, even as age grows inevitable moss over youthful vigor.

Sissy's Mushroom

I would have walked right past this amazing mushroom. It's funny, I'm nearly always looking up watching the skies and Clytie sees incredible detail where she walks. We make a great team.

I never would have saw this velvety wonder of a mushroom, if Sissy hadn't noticed it first.

OH! By the way, if you enlarge the picture you'll see a spider hiding in the shadows...

Going Up

On our walks through the canyons and forests of our childhood, one can find amazing trees. They are huge, fissured and draped with delicate licorice fern and deep green mosses.

This is one of those spectacular giants. I believe it is a Maple tree--the tops of the trees are just starting to bud.

Backside

Yesterday Clytie and I went for a long walk in our beloved forest. We had the privilege of watching the flight of a great owl--something clutched in his claws and a beautiful eagle--white head and tail gleaming in the late afternoon sunshine. Then down by the creek I found the skeleton of a coyote . . . Such a delicate, lovely skull with very sharp teeth.

Sissy and I had a great time together--I can't tell you how much I'd been looking forward to spending time with her. Sissy's imagination matches my own--so we had a wonderful adventure.
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But imagine our surprise to catch this tree, er, from the back. Hmmm . . . I thought of offering this lovely Dryad my coat, but instead we crept away. One must have privacy, you know--even if one is a Dryad.

Shroooomzzzzz!

I remember this walk well--Clytie and I were astounded at all the varied mushrooms we found, including this cluster of shrooms . . .

This frilled skirted shroom . . .

And three shrooms all in a row!

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It is time to step through the mystery of the woods to discover anew the strength and beauty both of us find there. I can hardly wait to go on our next walk in the forest together! I wonder what amazing things we will find???