Painted pets

“We carry our homes within us, which enables us to fly.” — John Cage Hermit crabs make perfect pets. They carry their own homes,  painted with their own artwork,  traveling in their own spaces, leaving trails of smiles. *   *   * Aniela’s and Nataly’s Hermit crab friends — Photos by Mary O’Connor © 2018   … More Painted pets

Visions of Hawai’i

“If you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for the moment. I want to give that world to someone else.” — Georgia O’Keeffe Commissioned by Dole (then Hawaiian Pineapple Company) to paint a pineapple while visiting Hawaii, Georgia O’Keeffe fell in love with Hawaii’s lush plant life … More Visions of Hawai’i

Summer life

“Renovating an old house is not about making them look new…it is about making new unnecessary.” — Ty McBride Originally a houseboat, the Maggie P today sits aloft on wood pilings at the edge of the Connecticut River South Cove to which, caught in a storm, she once drifted and beached. Abandoned, she was subsequently … More Summer life

Memories

“In a simple and a peaceful cottage with a beautiful view, you will not be dreaming about the palaces or the heaven, because you already have a perfect thing!” — Mehmet Murat ildan The old weather-beaten red-shingled cottage on Kelsey Island holds fond memories as a destination for childhood picnics and lazy summers by the … More Memories

Isles and miles

“The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder.” — Ralph W. Sockman On this particular day, as we dropped down to the coastline, we spotted the ‘Small Isles’ of Rùm, Eigg and Muck, part of the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Muck, the smallest of the four main islands of this archipelago … More Isles and miles

Best days

“I’ve always felt that distant train whistles heard in the dead of night are the universe’s way of letting us know the best days are neither ahead nor behind us…they’re happening right now, cradled in the palms of our hands.” — Dave Matthes First class seats on the restored Jacobite Steam Train are enjoyed with … More Best days

Wilderness

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in…where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.” — John Muir A view of the Jacobite steam train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct gave us pause on our way to the infamous Glencoe area. Faced by the majestic Three Sisters … More Wilderness

Wanderlust

Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” — Dalai Lama A popular tourist attraction, the Jacobite steam locomotive-hauled train follows the same route through the West Highland region of Scotland as shown in the Harry Potter films. The longest staircase lock in Britain, Neptune’s Staircase lifts boats 64’ through a series of eight … More Wanderlust

Morning fog

“Sometimes we need the fog to remind ourselves that all of life is not black and white.” — Jonathan Lockwood Huie Waiting for morning fog to clear before boarding ferry in Fort William, Oban, to Craignure on the Isle of Mull. Wee Scottish Lassie playing by water’s edge brought smiles to our faces. Lighthouse marks … More Morning fog

Refreshed

“The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep.” — Rumi   Captivated by the rolling mist and reflections on the glass face of the lake, we traded in our coffee for cameras and were rewarded with the unveiling of a whole world refreshed and dressed purely in beauty. *   … More Refreshed