Autumn Glow September Sunset, Mars, PA 9/26/16
Thick, heavy clouds part briefly
revealing glimpses of glimmering gold
and twinkling sapphire skies
above the emerald carpeted lawn
sprinkled with the first fallen leaves
that will soon crunch beneath our feet
as we walk the familiar lane…
on a sweet September sunset.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Are you ready for this adventure called “Today?”
Make it magical…
Make it creative…
Be imaginative…
Be silly…
Gain inspiration from whatever comes your way.
Have Fun!
Cherish the moments.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
I could have been bummed about that blurry leaf in the bottom left of this photo I took the other day on a walk getting in the way of allowing this to be a “perfect” pear photo, but instead, I had to laugh. What I somehow crazily saw was silly – a pear rocket ship firing up for take off with a big puff of steam behind it. Now isn’t that a more FUN way to look at it?!
Life’s Curve Balls
They often sneak up or crash in on us,
and they can try to trick us up.
but if we know how to respond,
and if we ready ourselves for them…
they can result in home runs!
Embrace life’s curve balls.
Father’s Day makes me think of the curve balls life can throw us,
but it also reminds me of how special life can be
if we take that swing – in a leap of faith – and give it our all.
Happy Father’s Day Dad – What a Difference You’ve Made in My Life! ❤
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Maple Tree, Mars, PA
Truths from the Tree
Stand tall and proud,
and reach for the sunlight.
Grow deep roots where you are planted,
and you will be braced and secure from threatening winds.
When those winds do blow,
bend and be flexible, and you will survive.
Stretch out your arms far and wide,
and welcome those that rest in your shade.
Delight in sharing with nature’s creatures
with nests and burrows and nourishment.
When your life is over,
give back to what gave life to you.
This is in follow-up to yesterday’s post – Reflections from the River – and a continuation in Lessons from Nature.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Kiskiminetas River, Pittsburgh, PA
Reflections from the River
Still water grows stagnant…
keep moving.
Enjoy the journey…
it’s not always about the destination.
A single rock thrown…
can cause a ripple effect far beyond its initial target.
Sometimes what is reflected back from us…
is bigger and better than we are – so shine on.
It is hard work to traverse against the current…
but it is possible, and it is often worth it.
Hubby and I took a little boat ride Friday evening down the Kiskiminetas River – a peaceful little body of water that flows into the Allegheny River near Pittsburgh, PA. With the sweet scent of honeysuckle still in my nose, I’ve been reflecting on the many lessons we can learn from the river. Nature has so much to teach us if only we take the time to listen.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
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
the creative life in between 