“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
“A symbol is indeed the only possible expression of some invisible essence, a transparent lamp about a spiritual flame…” — William Butler Yeats threads of silky fluff ornamental expression unexpected might * * * Lighting the world with its delicate clusters of silky pink threads, the Mimosa, or Persian Silk Tree, symbolizes sensitivity, gentleness, compassion … More Sensitivity
“In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.” — Deepak Chopra all nature stands still wind, water. beautiful bird time of reflection * * * Nature, with all its stillness, well of quiet for the mind and soul • “Stillness” watercolor painting and haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2025
“There are connoisseurs of blue just as there are connoisseurs of wine.” — Sidonie Gabrielle Colette every shade likely sky, ocean deep, precious gems dimensions of soul * * * Hydrangea, with their showy ornamental blossoms, are loved for their kaleidoscope of changing colors, ranging from shades of pink to violet to purple to deep … More Shades of Blue
“The quality of strength lined with tenderness is an unbeatable combination.” — Maya Angelou propulsion of wings side wheels sustain dynamics turbo powered fun * * * Unbeatable Mae conquers the road under the propulsion of butterfly wings and red-sneakered pedaling • Watercolor painting and “Turbo Power” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2025
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” — Nelson Mandela iris stretch so high hanging petals open wide pageant of beauty * * * Stained in divine purple, Japanese Iris stand straight and tall, relaxed petals stroking the essence of life • Photo and “Divine … More Divine Display
“Beauty is heaven’s gift, and how few can boast of beauty.” — Ovid delicate beauty symbolic layers of grace bouquet of heaven # # # If heaven is a mass of delicate hues and fragrance, stored in perennial elegance, then peonies are heaven • Photo and “Peonies” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2025
“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.” — Jimmy Johnson when stars shine their light standout an understatement extraordinary Well over six feet tall, the Sandhill Crane on the Blithewold estate lawn is a standout presence in its own right, not to be outdone by a simply extraordinary peacock with its iridescent … More Extraordinary
“The living self has one purpose only: to come into its own fullness of being, as a tree comes into full blossom, or a bird into spring beauty….” — D.H. Lawrence beauty overwhelms deletes all hints of dullness shuts misery down * * * Magnolia blossoms: iconic symbols of romance, love and joy • Photo … More Fullness
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 