Dogwood Tree Blossom, The Other Side, Mars, PA
As you stretch and reach
and open yourself
to the sunshine
after the rain
I admire your beauty
from underneath
And wonder if its really much different
on the other side?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
If only closing our eyes
and blowing fluffy white
dandelion seeds to the wind
could make our wishes come true.
The world would be filled
with buttery yellow “flowers”
instead of pesty “weeds”
and “pretty” lawns would look much different.
It’s all about
perspective.
Go ahead.
Make a wish.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Dogwood Tree Blossom, Day Dreaming in Monochrome, Mars, PA
Dreaming of
far away places
that are soft
and light
and free.
Maybe I’ll go there.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Up Close & Personal with Flowers/Weeds in My Lawn, Mars, PA
“Weeds are flowers too…
Once you get to know them.”
— A. A. Milne, Author of Winnie the Pooh
May you see flowers in all of your “weeds.”
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Earth
The other evening
after dinner,
I went outside
to breathe in
the gentle fragrance
of the Spring air
and dig my fingers
into the warming earth
to clear the leaves and twigs and “weeds”
in preparation for planting
flowers and herbs and vegetables.
In the crack of the stone wall
in the landscape where nothing should grow
and where I tend to pull out things
that do not “belong,”
I decided to leave this tender
flowering plant
that added life
and its own kind of beauty
when you look at it for what it simply is.
Like life in between,
where I cherish the moments,
I cherish the beauty
in the cracks of life.
The crack in the chip
of an heirloom antique cow creamer,
or the crack in the humor
of a “dig” or a joke from one of my guys.
The crack in the corner of the lips
of a friend’s smile when they see me,
or the crack in the voice of my Dad
when we reminisce
about times we’ve spent together
or the times we sadly missed.
The cracks in the corners of
hubby’s (and even my) eyes
that show we have lived and loved and laughed
throughout the years.
(not to mention another cute crack
when he bends over without a belt!)
There truly is beauty
in the cracks of life
if only we open our eyes to see
the tiny little joys
in the cracks in between.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
An unseasonably warm day in February this week
started with bright sunshine,
drenched us in refreshing rain showers,
and ended with the brightest, most colorful rainbow.
Right in our very own back yard.
If you cannot find me,
look deep in the woods
amidst the moss and twigs and fallen leaves.
I’m searching for the pot of gold,
dancing and celebrating with the leprechauns.
It is the Season of Magic.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
There’s a new bird in town visiting our backyard feeders these days.
The wintry colors and spots and the delicacy of the bird’s wings remind me that
and art imitates life….
that life is art…
and art is life.
What do you think these two were chatting about over breakfast?
They are the new bird in town. Looks to me like it could be the European Starling?
Any experts out there know?
They sure are bringing joy and beauty and artistic inspiration.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Mourning Dove – Mars, PA 1/12/16
In the silence of early morning
just before the break of dawn,
You are puffed up soft and fluffy,
perched and clinging high atop the tree.
What a bright, warm sight you are
amidst the dark and snowy shadows.
But your haunting lament belies
your soft, yet vibrant allure.
Oh morning Mourning Dove
what conflicting emotions you evoke…
darkness and light,
joy and grief,
morning and mourning.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Even in the shadows
of cold, gray winter days
the Rose of Sharon seed pod
glows with vibrant light
and hope
and promise
of pink and purple petals
and green leaves
and summer sunshine
if only
we are
patient enough
to wait.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Some days there won’t be a song in your heart….
Sing anyway!
-emory austin
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 