Impressionist Watch

Sunday evening, as the sun began it's descent in the west, I headed east. I stood in the open air, away from the forest, watching the sky. It was absolutely a glorious show !!! I stood in the middle of the street, transfixed. So many passed by with barely a glance...but I saved a wee taste for you.


As the colors receded to the west, I headed that direction. The lake was positively rich in hue !!!! I shot the sky as it lit up orange & pink behind the autumn foliage, & still on long after the trees were but silhouettes. Years of checking my loathed watch have paid off. I headed to the landing at just the right moment. I sat but 5 minutes in rapt awe of the changing sky & water, when the beaver silently swam out before me !!!! Awesome end to a fantabulous weekend !!!!

Weekend of Wonders

When I finally arrived home Friday, it was dusk. I climbed out of my car & headed for the trash can. The recycle bin stood between & directly before me. Without warning, a black shadow leapt up, literally causing me to cry out in alarm. He had been completely hidden inside the bin as he licked at the empty cans of soup. Young, hungry & alone, he slept in our carport that night. Little did we know, he had finally found his home. Investigation with neighbors concluded that he was dumped off up on the highway. Long story, short: brother Wesley has a new puppy! How hilariously joyful it is to watch this one bound around & make friends !...So uplifting !!! A new, next-door neighbor !


We said farewell to soccer season & basketball season began. The sky was rich, "Carolina Blue" & dappled with large, cummula-cirrus clouds. Above shows the backdrop for the first practice. Needless top say, I had a difficult time watching my son play...Bit, I did some hawk watching, while below & out of this shot, geese & ducks honked away!!!


I went to my first pig-picking. A woman clad in prison tattoos & I watched the sun & clouds as they changed colors. Many people may have avoided her because of her looks, but she witnessed to me. We gazed out over the pond, watching the "long light" of evening play on the leaves. As I pointed out the changing hues she repeatedly pointed to the clouds & dreamily said, "THAT ! Is a little piece of what heaven's going to be like". Hallelujah!

My Girl

Do you recall the sound the Wraiths make in "Lord of the Rings" ? It is this bone-chilling screech that you feel to your innermost being. Sunday morning, I went out on the deck and heard just that sound....no other way to describe it. I looked up and flying low, was my girl...for 3 years she nested behind our house at eye-level. next, she moved betseen our home and London's school. I always know it is her because of the missing feather. For all those years, no matter where she has lived, she has always enjoyed her mid-day hunt behind my classroom.....
Anyway, Sunday morning, I heard her make that very sound the Wraiths made...She was flying low and being harassed by a crow. They made a couple of very low passes, all the while her screaming....They circled off and all was quiet, but it was a bit unsettling.

Creatures at Nightfall

Sitting lakeside in the forest at nightfall can take some getting used to. Sitting still and quiet, the leaves on the forest floor seemingly come to life, as toads and frogs wake and make their way to the lake. To sit still, long enough, means they may hop and wait, hop and wait, RIGHT next to you!

I have heard that one should do something new &/or scary once a day. My first night at the beach, I headed out well over a mile from civilization. I discovered that the various, "Ghost Crabs" freeze when faced with a light. This guy reminds me of a kitten with his little "paws" tucked under him. When I turned off the light and sat still, the shells seemed to come alive with the skittering of these little fellows. Amazing how the beach could remind me of my forest home.

In capturing the above shot, I did a face plant with my telescoping lens, right into moist sand. The little Canon held up through the next morning, then suddenly seized. Having been shelved for the last 2 years, the HP just doesn't cut it anymore...I have a new "baby" on the way.....and I am very excited!

Following the Light

My grandmother used to say that in life, "there will always be peaks and valleys". When I hit the valleys, I try to stay focused on the upcoming mountain top. We all need hope and life really does seem to ebb and flow like this.

God graced me with this image and it is how I have been feeling lately.
In terms of composition, I am a purist and never crop after the shoot. I took this shot looking straight up. I turned it every direction, but came back to the image as it was shot. I especially like the dark, empty spot above the light, and the tip in the bird's head...Is it on it's way to something new? Looking for a new path? Or has it spied the path and is about to take it?

"But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 41:31

Obligatory Bird Shots

These two, with their backs turned...they just look deep in conversation. Or, perhaps, the one on the right just made an offensive comment / suggestion, to the one on the left....

A World Away

What a great getaway !! and what a world of difference from my forest home !!! Our Creator, God put so much care into so many, diverse things !! All for us, His beloved children and heirs to His Kingdom!!! From the tiniest minnow, to the infinite heavens !! From the tiniest crab to the vastness of the sands and oceans.... WOW ! What an Artist!!! What a Loving Father !!!

Sitting on the Dock...

The other night, London had his first, public school performance. His 2nd grade class voted to sing, "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay". That song always reminds me of my father-in-law, Jr. He was of the "Greatest Generation" and snuck into the Merchant Marines to serve in WWII. Characteristic of that generation of men, he was never one to outright express his feelings. He found more practical ways to show his affection. We often used to stop by to see Tom's folks after church and have breakfast together. Once Jr. found out that I love cheese, every week he would say, "Go in the kitchen and get you some cheese...Juanita! Get Jeannine some cheese!"
He would so adore his little grandson! Even though "Tommy" wasn't much one for fishing, London would be out there with him every day!!

It's Really True !!!!

Growing up, my family always told me, "If you sit still and quiet long enough, the wildlife will come out." I never found that to be true...UNTIL, I started going quiet inside...then, it happened !!! Last weekend, as I sat on the docks mid-cove, I heard a rustling in the leaves on the far bank.....

We watched each other for ages and ages until the groundhog decided that lunch was more imprtant than I was.....
















The episode finally ended when our loving huntress/herder, Juliette, awoke and decided I needed protecting......

Carol of the Bells

Yesterday, as we headed out for our respective schools, London looked at me with a big grin and said, "I have a way to make you think about me all day long."
I replied, "Honey, I think about you all day, every day".
"No, I have a way to make you think bad about me all day."
"Oh, baby, I would never think bad about you."
He then set about whistling, "Carol of the Bells"...He was right ! Two days in and I am still thinking bad things about him at work !!!! (and several of my classes are thinking bad things about me!)

Weekend Watching

Here are just a few of the things going on around our home: Silver Dollars, Geraniums, and Columbine:




I spent much of the weekend at The Glade next to the lake, watching the ferns and wild azaleas unfurl....