“And to all a good night!” — Clement Clarke Moore snowy white forecast travel safely through the night cold weather red nose * * * Reindeer Legends ~ Though Reindeer may not fly, they have come to represent safe journeys over harsh winter landscapes. There is some truth to be found in the legendary story … More Safe Travels
“May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility.” — Mary Anne Radmacher folklore traditions mischievous gnomes ensure luck brighten dark winters * * * Holiday Characters ~ Mischievous gnomes and straw “Julbocken” Yule Goats add touch of folklore to classic Scandinavian “God Jul” Christmas celebration. Credited … More Holiday Folklore
“Don’t let the light go out! Let it shine through our hope and our tears…” — Peter, Paul and Mary collective message candles lit with hope and light drive out the darkness * * * Hope and Light ~ Hanukkah Festival of Lights calls forth hope in a dark world • Photo of Westerly, RI, … More Hope and Light
“Magical places are always beautiful and deserve to be contemplated.” — Paul Coelho transforming beauty in unexpected places markers of magic * * * Lobster Trap Tree ~ Lobster traps hung with 454 hand-painted buoys stand at the Stonington, Connecticut town dock in celebration of the town’s fishing industry heritage • Photo by Jan Logozzo … More Magic Markers
“Memories are hunting horns whose sound dies on the wind.” — Guillaume Apollinaire hunting horn message repeated wavering wail fox in safe haven * * * Horn of the Hunter ~ Vocabulary varies with message • Hunting horns proclaim start of joyous season at Florence Griswold Museum, Old Lyme, CT • Photo and “Hunting Horns” … More Hunting Horns
“The turkey, the sweet potatoes, the stuffing, the pumpkin pie. Is there anything else we all can agree so vehemently about?” — Nora Ephron purchase deterrence no one wants a blue turkey color camouflage * * * All in the Dressing ~ Turkeys figure way to avoid a prime place at the dinner table • … More Turkey Talk
“Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love— that makes life and nature harmonize.” — George Eliot pumpkins tell of fall signal winter’s call for warmth spiced cider brews * * * Signs of Autumn ~ Cider in the air • Old Cider Mill photo and “Autumn Brew” haiku … More Autumn Brew
“The sky broke like an egg into full sunset and the water caught fire.” — Pamela Hansford Johnson burning crevices saturated sponge of fire folded into night * * * Saturated ~ Sponge of fire washes the sky • Photo and “On Fire” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2023
“Everything will line up perfectly when knowing and living the truth becomes more important than looking good.” — Alan Cohen lining up by height counting off by alphabet leaders stand in front * * * Shaggy Mane ~ The Shaggy Mane mushroom starts off white, standing tall and cylindrical, aging quickly into inky black “shaggy … More Line up
“Fantasy is hardly an escape from reality. It’s a way of understanding it.” — Lloyd Alexander drifts of pale colors fantasy’s opening scenes channels of beauty * * * Escaping Reality ~ Quiet image • Photo by Jan Logozzo • Blog post and “Fantasy haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2023
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 