Oregon Eclipse, 2017

The first thing I noticed were the birds...As the eclipse began the birds in the trees began softly calling to one another. There were Chickadees, goldfinches and a few I didn't recognize. Then suddenly there were flocks of them winging across the skies as the moon covered more of the sun. The air became noticeably cooler and the light was strangely dim.

 There was a squirrel who decided he was quite interested in all the humans watching the sky. He sat on the fence yelling at us, then decided better of it and disappeared. 

 
Shadow the Dog stood behind the humans who were staring at the sun and looked over at me as though to say--could you make them stop that?  Toez the Polydactyl Cat hid in the closet and Bootz the Humongous Cat found his way into the back of the shed. 

The colors of the flowers became luminous and vibrant in a way I've never seen before.

The shadows of the leaves were crescent shaped with the points downward. Just before the eclipse was complete, the ground wiggled, just like they said it would--VERY strange! Little waves of light covered the ground.

Then the moon covered the sun completely. The air was cool and soft...a strange twilight that seemed magical. There was a luminous ring around the sun--it was so beautiful...not something I could completely catch with my camera. We could actually see faint stars--or maybe they were planets.

The most lovely part was when the sun suddenly peeked over the edge of the moon, creating a stunning diamond ring. It was only for an instant--but WOW! SO lovely. Our friends who are here visiting had set up a camera and actually caught a GREAT pic of that exact moment. I'm SO glad.

As the moon uncovered the sun little by little, more waves of light scuddled across the cement. Then we noticed the crescent shadows made by the leaves were now pointed in the opposite direction--like little smiles covering the ground.

I was amazed at how quickly the light and heat of the sun returned--even though the sun was still at least a third covered! Of course, Mumsie and I stayed and watched as the sun was revealed completely. It was the experience of a lifetime.

Wreathed in Mist

This is the cedar tree which stands right outside my living room window.  I had never seen the mists so defined before.  It was beautiful and magical.

Keep looking up, my Friends.  One never knows what one might see next.  Life is a mist--a fleeting moment.  Rather like this lovely wraith of cloud.

The moments we have here on earth are priceless treasures. Since my husband flew away to heaven--this has become even more apparent.  Ah, dear friends--take time to tenderly love your family and friends--to show how much you love those who are precious and dear to your hearts.  You will be glad you did. 

And it only takes a moment to smile into the face of a stranger.  Who knows what one warm smile, or what  one small gesture of kindness might inspire?  It can become like the ripples in a pond--an ever-widening influence for good.  It is something to think about. 

Have a lovely week!

Whimsical Wizard

Our weather has been so rainy and moist over the past three years, many trees are covered with trailing grey beard moss.  In my vivid imagination, this tree could be a whimsical wizard!  Grey beard moss usually grows near water and can look creepily mystical as it blows in the gentle breeze. 

Have a lovely day, everyone!

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."

Magic in the Ancient Forest -Guest Heart Thursday

Sissy and I were on our way back from meeting our buddy Cheryl, when we stopped for a break in the forests of the Coast Range.  The area is amazing--there are old growth cedars and firs there which are as big as some houses.  The picture above was amazing to me.  I've never seen a green ring of light around the sun before.  Such an unexpectedly beautiful picture in that magical place.

Here is another shot of that beautiful ancient forest.

The waters were full of hearts, when you enlarge this picture, you'll see quite a few hiding in the reflection of the ancient trees.

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

Glory Light in my Garden

I did a photoshoot Saturday in my garden.  What a magical day.  This is my favorite picture of all.  This was the last picture I took--what an unexpected surprise to see the glory light streaming down to touch my lovely young Friend's hand.

 

This is my second favorite.  I love the look on her face.  Can you believe it?  This girl has NO makeup on!  She is a natural beauty.

 

Here is another magical moment.  I could not believe what I was seeing in the camera lens.

I was amazed when the light flashed down once more.  I asked my beautiful model to raise her sword--she did and here is the result.

It was an unexpectedly beautiful day--with beauty all around unimaginable, mixed with a kind of lovely magic. 

Opal Waters

Here is another look at the magical waters of the creek running through our town.  On this day, my niece and I did not feel anything spooky and stayed quite awhile, telling stories and playing in the water.  We even found a wonderful old bottle.

It is brown with four seams--I'm sure it must date back to the early pioneer days.  It looks like it once was sealed with a stopper of some sort.

Have a lovely day!

Shimmering Rainbow - Skywatch Friday

Last week's hot air balloon ride was a lifetime dream come true.  The balloon had landed in a field on a hillside.  They were getting ready to pack the balloon, when I looked up to see this amazing rainbow cloud.  There was no rain--only the sunshine and a thin embossing of cloud.  And the rainbow--it seemed to shimmer.  A perfect ending to an incredibly magical morning.

For more amazing pictures from the skies, check out Skywatch Friday! 

Riding the Back of a Dragon

I once found an oaken bridge over a bubbling brook, which led me to a magical place. There was a meadow starred with white flowers in a carpet of soft green moss. There was music weaving a tune through the trees.

Then I stepped down hewn stone stairs to a small lagoon, where I stood upon a beach of blue stones. 

The guardian of this wonderful place was a fierce dragon.  I approached him softly, laid my hand on his fearsome cheek and sang a song of Springtime.

Then he gave me a ride on his warm brown back--and we swooped with the eagles, along the shores of blue stone, as the skies reflected the mountains in the still cold waters.

For more Weekend Reflections, click the icon in my sidebar!  Have a wonderful weekend!