“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” — Hamilton Wright Mabie festive lights and cheer holiday remembrances reflect time and love * * * Built with lobster traps and 460 hand-painted buoys, the Stonington (CT) Lobster Trap Tree lights up the town dock in annual tribute to the … More Holiday Tribute
“The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.” — Samuel Butler total devotion joyful canine behavior playful dance of love * * * Bundle of energy and fun, Pepper … More Best Buddy
“Umpiring is best described as the profession of standing between two seven-year-olds with one ice cream cone.” — Ron Luciano one scoop not enough stack up favorite flavors frozen happiness * * * Favorite spot of visitors to the Wee Fairie Village, the Bury Me in Sprinkles Ice Cream Shoppe draws lines of tiny customers … More Ice Cream
“Life is short and unpredictable. Eat the dessert first!” — Helen Keller begin with the last finish off meal with dessert good life formula * * * Cutie Pie Bakery Shop delights visitors to the Florence Griswold Museum’s Wee Faerie Village. Created by artist Betsy Himmelman and members of the Deep River Promethea Arts Studio, … More Sweet Spot
“Color! What a deep and mysterious language, the language of dreams” — Paul Gauguin riot of color red blue gold all competing unspoken language infusing tincture of joy proclamation of delight * * * Pulled in by color, breathtaking is an understatement • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Captured” tanka* by Mary O’Connor © 2025 … More Captured
“The greatest art in the world is the art of storytelling.” — Cecil B. DeMille artist’s tales bring smiles cow tails connect spots of hearts fantasy at best * * * Painted cows grazed the grounds at the FloGris Museum in Old Lyme to promote the museum’s summertime Cow Tales exhibit of animal paintings by … More Cow Tales
“When one is remarkably, magnificently, strikingly and unequivocally cute, obedience is overkill.” — Unknown long ears, soulful eyes loyalty personified soul of gentleness * * * Humphrey and Walter, the epitome of beloved Basset Hounds, sit patiently on their people Ron and Scott’s doorstep • Watercolor painting and “Beloved” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2025
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” — Leo Buscaglia power of caring thru just the tiniest touch love beyond measure * * * There … More Loving Care
“My soul is in the sky.” — William Shakespeare spores of brilliant light dreams scrawled on blackboard of sky fleeting elation * * * July fireworks bring Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream to mind • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Midsummer Celebration” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2025
“People must feel that the natural world is important and valuable and beautiful and wonderful and an amazement and a pleasure.” — David Attenborough portal of calm unadulterated reserve inner peace haven * * * Unspoiled tangle of natural beauty provides sanctuary of peace and quiet • Photo and “Sanctuary” haiku by Mary O’Connor © … More Sanctuary
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 