“Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind.” — Nathaniel Hawthorne standing as sentries closed up and vacant faces staring out to sea loneliness replaces life shadows erase hard edges * * * Eighteen Officers Row houses stand vacant at Sandy Hook (NJ) National Park. Officers’ homes traditionally faced the parade ground, but here … More Hallowed
“Be aware that who you are and what you have to offer can be a beacon to some lost soul.” — Iyanla Vanzant whether smiles or sun viewpoints of brightness inspire pierce fog of worry * * * Built to safely guide mariners into New York Harbor, Sandy Hook Lighthouse served as a backdrop for … More Guiding Light
“The greatest art in the world is the art of storytelling.” — Cecil B. DeMille artist’s tales bring smiles cow tails connect spots of hearts fantasy at best * * * Painted cows grazed the grounds at the FloGris Museum in Old Lyme to promote the museum’s summertime Cow Tales exhibit of animal paintings by … More Cow Tales
“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
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 