“I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion.” — Henry David Thoreau draw of sand and waves nature’s alluring appeal corrupted by crowds * * * Just how many can fit in limited beach space during a disappearing summer season—that is the question … More Jam-packed
“What is peace? Is it war? No. Is it strife? No. Is it lovely, and gentle, and beautiful, and pleasant, and serene, and joyful? O yes!” — Charles Dickens oh, for peacefulness serenity and calm power of stillness * * * Calm waters, still as glass, reflect peace of the evening • Niantic Bay photo … More Serenity
“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
“Patience is power. Patience is not an absence of action, rather it is ‘timing’— it waits on the right time to act, for the right principles and in the right way.” — Fulton J. Sheen time and patience win accomplish what brawn cannot principled power * * * Great Blue Heron portrays the commanding beauty … More Patience
“I want to be proud of this country, but when aspects of our policy don’t align with my ethics, I want to protest them and try to change them.” — Shepard Fairey with sidewalks all full voices speak up for fairness drown out injustice * * * Wood Storks communicate by snapping their bills together … More Speak Up
“Nicknames stick to people, and the most ridiculous are the most adhesive.” — Thomas Chandler Haliburton given name substitute moniker handed in jest portrayal that sticks * * * With their scaly featherless black heads and necks, Wood Storks have been called such names as flinthead, stonehead, iron head and gourdhead. A more apt portrayal … More Nickname
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 