“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.” — Luciano Pavarotti dining out is good enjoy sense of fine feasting take-out menu works * * * Tender spring leaves make tasty roadside snack for young white-tailed … More Dining Out
“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.” – Frances Hodgson Burnett blossoms line pathway releasing peace with each step tranquility trail * * * Bessie Van Wickle turned the Blithewold estate into an American garden treasure with practical as well as poetic plantings. Integrated into the landscape, … More Tranquility Trail
“There is a serene and settled majesty to woodland scenery that enters into the soul and delights and elevates it, and fills it with noble inclinations.” — Washington Irving woodland ecstasy wind music colored with leaves total rhapsody * * * Blithewold, Old English for “happy woodland,” is the name given to the Van Wickle … More Happy Woodland
There’s nothing like the peace of the countryside, the quiet and the lack of distraction. It helps you to focus your mind.” — Jenny Nimmo countryside escape tranquility wrapped in green acres of treasures * * * Built at the turn of the 20th century as a summer retreat of the Augustus and Bessie Van … More Tranquility
“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
“There is little in life so reassuring as a genuine welcome.” — Robin Hobb welcome with a smile joy of meeting and greeting ignite happiness * * * The Greeter –- One of six big, beautiful, bamboo birds that greet visitors to the Bristol, RI, summer estate of Augustus and Marjorie Van Wickle, this dapper … More Greeter
“Togetherness is forged in the gentle arms a family cuddle.” — Sophia Loren snuggle together warmth and closeness soothe the soul comfort of cuddles * * * Comfort in numbers, Muscovy ducklings all tucked in with Mama • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Snuggles” haiku by Mary O’Connor • Happy Mother’s Day! © 2025
“Life is a series of thousands of tiny miracles.” — Mike Greenberg tiniest petals superbness undercover clear understatement * * * Tiniest blossoms cover the earth with greatest pleasure • Photo and “Miniscule” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2025
“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
“Beauty is the promise of happiness.” Edmund Burke story of springtime days graced with new beginnings seed time of fresh starts * * * Springtime’s blossoms speak of new beginnings, promise and possibility • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “New Beginnings” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2025
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 