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? 

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.
 

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.

Lady Bug Snuggle

Yesterday, I was out stacking firewood. The temperature was starting to dip near freezing when I found this colorful little ladybug snuggling into the folds of the bark of the cedar tree!

Just a few days before, we'd run out of firewood--left with only a bunch of spindly stuff that burns way too hot. I wasn't looking forward to our next heating bill . . .

Sissy called wondering if I would be home in the next hour or so. She said she'd be calling about a project they'd been working on. She wouldn't tell me what it was. I was sitting at my desk when the phone rang.

It was my sweet Sissy. As we were talking, a red car pulled into the alley.

Said I, "Someone just pulled into the alley." I groaned. "I wonder if its the census people wanting answers for that American Community Survey . . ."

Clytie remarked, "Look out your window."

I did. And Clytie jumped out of the car! I screamed, she screamed I went running out through the kitchen door into the muddy alley in my bare feet. Dad and Mom popped out! I was hugging them all. I've missed them so much.

And then Clytie opened the back of the vehicle--somehow my brother had stuffed at least a half a cord of wood inside . . .

Last night, sitting in front of a lovely warm fire as the dew froze on the grass and windshields--I thanked God for my family. For the wood and that blessedly hot fire.

As you can see above--our little fire faery was happy too!!!

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.

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!

.

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???

Fairytale Condo

On one of our long walks through the forests of our childhood, Clytie and I found this amazing conch growing on the side of a huge stump. I love these kind of conches. If removed from the stump, they will dry exactly as you see here and last for years.

This one made me think of a fairy condo--I think it must be--it is exactly how I imagine a fairy house to look. Which is why (ahem) I did not remove it from its growing place to take it home!

Merry Christmas! There is so much for which to be thankful.

Gnome? Eagle? Dolphin?

Friday night we had the privilege of performing at a dinner theater for a retreat center near Silver Creek Falls. The performance was powerful and we made many new friends. It was a truly fabulous experience. For dinner the chef served the most wonderfully tasty gourmet food. What a treat! The dinner that night and brunch the following morning were spectacular, both in quality and presentation.

We spent a comfortable night in their lovely accommodations. As soon as it was light I went exploring and found this amazing stump. I see so many things in this beautiful woodland scene--an eagle, a plump partridge, a gnome . . .

So, of course I must ask, what do YOU see?

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.

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.