“When an eighty-five-pound mammal licks your tears away, then tries to sit on your lap, it’s hard to feel sad.” — Kristan Higgans “Slowly, Anna put up a hand to his muzzle and began to scratch that spot behind the ear where large dogs keep their souls.” — Eva Ibbotson Loved by his favorite persons, … More Gentle Giant
“Illusion is the first of all pleasures.” — Voltaire Don’t part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.” — Mark Twain * * * Depicting such characters as Michel-Gabriel Paccard and Jacques Balmat, the first to climb Mont Blanc in 1786 (the two leftmost figures on … More Illusion
“We’re a nation of sheep. If you go out and look up at the sky, people around you will start looking up at the sky.” — Alan Abel “One of the saddest facts of the human condition is that most people follow the herd. Sometimes, of course, the herd is morally right. That, obviously, is … More Flock of Sheep
“A hug is an amazing thing. It’s just the perfect way to show the love we’re feeling but can’t find the words to say.” —Johnny Ray Ryder “If the tree doesn’t hug you back, it’s not a problem with the tree, it’s a problem with your heart.” — Donald L. Hicks * * * Symbolizing … More Tree Hug
“Always to be best, and distinguished above the rest.” — Homer “Most lives are not distinguished by great achievements. They are measured by an infinite number of small ones. Each time you do a kindness for someone, or bring a smile to his face, it gives your life meaning. Never doubt your value, little friend. … More Distinguished Friend
“Dancers don’t need wings to fly.” — Author Unknown “Dance less in motion and more in spirit; awaken the dreamer within.” — Shah Asad Rizvi * * * Dance of the Snowy Egret ~ Photo by Jan Logozzo
“The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.” — James Taylor “Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. You look at a set of elements, the same ones everyone else sees, but then reassemble those floating bits and pieces into an enticing new possibility.” — Rosabeth Moss Kantor … More Passages
“I must have flowers, always, and always.” — Claude Monet “Happiness radiates like the fragrance from a flower and draws all good things towards you.” — Maharishi Mahesh Yogi As if Annecy’s Vieille Ville, or old town, isn’t charming enough with its “Venice of France” river and canals meandering between historic buildings and a crisscross … More Flowers and Flowers
“Life is given only once, and one wants to live it boldly, with full conscious and beauty.” — Anton Chekhov “Painting from nature is not copying the object; it is realizing one’s sensations.” — Paul Cezanne • Inspired if not by Cezanne but by the mountains themselves, I decided to see what I could capture … More Magnetic Beauty
“Without butter, without eggs, there is no reason to come to France.” — Paul Bocuse This charming Butter-and-eggs member of the Snapdragon family, found on the mountainsides of Europe (as well as much of North America), is the perfect introduction to a planned collection of upcoming blog posts. Having just returned from a painting and … More Butter and Eggs
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 