Parenting

“There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.” — Chinese Proverb “Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” — Anne Frank *   *   * Mother turkey shepherds her … More Parenting

Wild Beauty

“Cherish sunsets, wild creatures, and wild places. Have a love affair with the wonder and beauty of the earth.” — Stewart Udall “People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.” — Iris Murdoch    Wild Beauty — Gardens at the … More Wild Beauty

A Dog’s Life

“When I look into the eyes of an animal I do not see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul.” —A.D. Williams “When we adopt a dog or any pet, we know it is going to end with us having to say goodbye, but we still do … More A Dog’s Life

Solitary

“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.” ― Rachel Carson Godwits are long-billed migratory birds of the genus Limosa that migrate from their breeding grounds in the northern parts of Europe, Asia, and North America towards the south. One species of godwit holds the … More Solitary

Swallows

“The reason birds can fly and we can’t is simply that they have perfect faith, for to have faith is to have wings.” —J.M. Barrie   When the swallow sings A wonderful thing Spring chance Graceful tapered wings Aerial flight, feathered king Sky dance A wonderful thing When the swallow sings Romance *   * … More Swallows

Old Family Recipes

“I love cooking. It’s one of my favorite things to do. To share my parents’ recipes that I grew up with is just something very special to me.”  — Lance Bass “Baking and love go hand in hand, for as one bakes a tasty treat and fills the room with its sweet aroma, the true … More Old Family Recipes

Full Bloom

“You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down.” — Charlie Chaplin “The bloom may be brief but the memory of its beauty will last a lifetime.”  — Doe Zantamata *   *   * Delight in Full Bloom — Ornamental Kwanzan Cherry Tree blossoms photo by Mary O’Connor © 2019

Justice

“Peace is not the absence of war but the presence of justice.” — Harrison Ford “For the hanged and beaten, for the shot, drowned and burned, for the tortured, tormented and terrorized, for those abandoned by the rule of law, we will remember.  With hope because hopelessness is the enemy of justice. With courage because … More Justice

Comfort in Patterns

“Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is recognition  of the pattern.”  — Alfred North Whitehead “There is in all things a pattern that is part of our universe. It has symmetry, elegance, and grace – these qualities you find always in that the true artist captures. You can … More Comfort in Patterns

Hope

“True hope is swift, and flies with swallow’s wings.” — William Shakespeare “Yesterday, a small white keel feather escaped from my goose and lodged in the bank boughs near the kitchen porch, where I spied it as I came home in the cold twilight. The minute I saw the feather, I was projected into May, … More Hope