“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” — Nelson Mandela iris stretch so high hanging petals open wide pageant of beauty * * * Stained in divine purple, Japanese Iris stand straight and tall, relaxed petals stroking the essence of life • Photo and “Divine … More Divine Display
“It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.” — Howard Ruff may be warm today get set for tomorrow’s cold be snug as a bug * * * Dried leaves, gathered now, will insulate gray squirrel’s version of tomorrow’s warm and cozy feather bed • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Ready Set” haiku by Mary … More Ready Set
“Beauty is heaven’s gift, and how few can boast of beauty.” — Ovid delicate beauty symbolic layers of grace bouquet of heaven # # # If heaven is a mass of delicate hues and fragrance, stored in perennial elegance, then peonies are heaven • Photo and “Peonies” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2025
“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” — Henry Ford family bonding assembly of young minds learning together * * * Under mama’s watchful eye, still fuzzy Canada Geese brood huddles together as if to figure the best way to navigate their big new world • Photo by Jan … More Togetherness
“What fun is life without a bit of showing off?” — Matt Lucas memorable style vibrant personality life lived with pizazz * * * With its showy display, the vibrant purple salvia is remembered for its ability to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to pollinate the garden. It is celebrated for its legendary powers of … More Pizazz
“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
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 