“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
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” — Leo Buscaglia power of caring thru just the tiniest touch love beyond measure * * * There … More Loving Care
“My soul is in the sky.” — William Shakespeare spores of brilliant light dreams scrawled on blackboard of sky fleeting elation * * * July fireworks bring Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream to mind • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Midsummer Celebration” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2025
“In the spider-web of facts, many a truth is strangled.” — Paul Eldridge shining silken web tempting promise of softness traps with strands of truth * * * Shining in the light, spider’s web promises only woven beauty • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Deceiving” haiku by Mary O’Connor © 2025
“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
“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 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
“Do not get caught in your anger, worries, or fears. Come back to the present moment, and touch life deeply.” – Thich Nhat Hanh limited thinking the trap of tunnel vision loss of perspective * * * Lobster traps piled high, ready to catch unsuspecting prey • Photo by Jan Logozzo • “Trapped” haiku by … More Trapped
“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
Life Is Full of Sweet Spots 