“The wildflower wreath of feeling, the sunbeam of the heart.” — Fitz-Greene Halleck “Once again…welcome to my house. Come freely. Go safely, and leave something of the happiness you bring.” — Bram Stoker * * * Fall colors offer welcome greeting — Photo by Mary O’Connor © 2018
“Honoring the sacrifices many have made for our country in the name of freedom and democracy is the very foundation of Veterans Day.” — Charles B. Rangel “All of these things about America—the independent spirit; freedom and liberty to think, express, and act; the promise of the potential for prosperity—have all been delivered to American … More At Rest
“It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon.” — Sarah Addison Allen “Humans are, by nature, pattern-seeking animals, and we are quite adept at telling stories about patterns whether they exist of not.” — Michael Shermer Not a delicate pastry crust, but a fungus—turkey tail, to be … More Turkey Tail
“If we are willing to be still and open enough to listen, wilderness itself will teach us.” — Steven Harper “There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story.” — Linda Hogan * * … More Be Still and Listen
“During the day, I don’t believe in ghosts. At night, I am a little more open-minded.” — Author Unknown “It’s said that All Hallows’ Eve is one of the nights when the veil between the worlds is thin – and whether you believe in such things or not, those roaming spirits probably believe in you, … More Free Spirit
“Protect those who protect you.” — Evangelos Venizelos Despite her diminutive Yorkie size, Willie or “The Wil” is tasked with a substantial duty. Living up to the weight of her formal Wilhelmina name, derived from the German Wilhelm, meaning “desire” and “willing to protect,” The Wil appears to grasp the seriousness of such an important … More Protector
Good apple pies are a considerable part of our domestic happiness.” — Jane Austin “I know the look of an apple that is roasting and sizzling on the hearth on a winter’s evening, and I know the comfort that comes of eating it hot, along with some sugar and a drench of cream.…” — Mark Twain … More Noblest of fruits
“I know the lands are lit, with all the autumn blaze of Goldenrod.” — Helen Hunt Jackson “Sneeze-bringers and seed-bearers, full of bees and yellow beads and perfect flowerlets…” So writes poet Mary Oliver when describing the infamous goldenrod. To author Stephen King, they are “that most tenacious and pernicious and beauteous of all New … More Sneeze-bringers
“I have a secret stash of Nutella that I pull out when necessary.” — Michael Weatherly When we see the squirrels busily gathering their stash of nuts and other favorite foods, we know that winter is near. What we don’t know, and often wonder about, is just how they know where they stored them. Theories … More Secret Stash
“We have two lives and the second begins when we realize we only have one.” — Confucius “If you want to be original just try being yourself, because God has never made two people exactly alike.” — Bernard Meltzer * * * Lesser Yellowlegs frequent marshes and mudflats, which is where photographer Jan … More Twins
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 