Category: Nature

on this autumn day |11.12.21 …

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I was absolutely mesmerized by the vivid colors on this autumn day, 12 November, 2021. Earlier, the day started with grey, cloudy skies, a bit of rain. However, as forecast, by 10 am the rain ended, the clouds moved on and the sun shone.

Circa 1 PM: I debated whether or not I would take a walk and decided, why not? I did and was I ever so grateful that I made that decision. The sky was clear, crystal blue; the fall foliage, breathtaking. Halfway from home, I realized I was also better than halfway to the Franciscan Monastery. I made a sharp left turn, walked six blocks north and was greeted by more of Mother Nature’s splendor: Breathtaking. Colorful. Awesome.

sometimes mondays| 7.19.21 …

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#blueskyblooms

… Shortly after noon Saturday, about 12:30 pm, I looked out the window (over the kitchen sink) and gasped: I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a cloud such as this! T’was just incredible and made a wonderful backdrop for the crepe myrtle tree in a neighbor’s yard.

…Today we’ve not been gifted with such a lovely and different sky and it’s a tad bit (aka a whole lot) h-o-t! Fortunately there is a bit o’ a breeze that helps a lot. I’m in a lazy + organizing (sort of) mood:

busy one hour sorting papers;

jotting down ideas;

making this week’s daily to do lists;

vacillating between doing a little or nuttin’ much at all;

taking a few moments to chat with my niece about her plans for her last two years of undergraduate school.

It’s nearly 5 PM; guess it’s time to move on and continue with this day’s agenda; soon it’ll be dinnertime. Where does the time go?

Until we meet again, have a good week …

Cheers~

welcome summer 6.21.21 …

Published on by Honoré11 Comments

Summer arrived with a vengeance ! Temps are in the 90s – even in Washington state! Yesterday, Norman’s son was visiting and as they are wont to do: solved all the world’s problems – I wish – in between watching baseball games and other TV events.

I took my sister to Laurel and decided, since I was near, to make a quick run to Savage Mill. I needed help with a couple fountain pens that were not writing ( probably becuz the ink had dried, duh!). It was very quiet, i.e, I didn’t hear any cicadas; perhaps their time is over – or at least winding down. I was delighted to see my friend Patti, owner of The Queen’s Ink; I’ve know her easily 10 years and last saw her Dec, 2019. She looked great; her hair was especially delightful – you know color – my 2021 word. And the t-shirt she was wearing was stamped with outlines of cicadas – her cicada had a crown! If you look closely, you can see the tips of the crown on her shirt …

In addition to ink, I bought a couple 3.75 x 5.25 sketch book journals – the paper is ideal for drawing, sketching & journaling with pencil, ink, crayon, markers, pastels, etc – and the eight signatures are sewn! I also bought a 3″ x 5″ GELLI printing plate. Playing with it, the sketch journals and my fountain pens is going to be sooo much fun!

I am eager to resume my WANDER journaling/sketching dates to the National Museum of Art’s Sculpture Gardens. When I do, guess what’s coming along with me?

Trust it’s cooler in your part of the country .

Cheers~

tgif | 3.26|21 …

Published on by Honoré8 Comments

Thinking & Grateful for this truly grand and delightful Spring day! The temperature a delicious 79 degrees; the sun shines and a gentle breeze flows, caresses. Everywhere one looks, trees are budding, blossoming and bright, colorful flowers bring a smile to my face. People, including me, walk slowly, wanting to soak in and prolong this delightful day despite still having to wear face masks…

Inspired by the spring flowers, the sky and clouds, I spent some time pouring over and through my fabrics, ten plus years of accumulation (tho’ no time at all compared to many quilters) selecting colors and designs for my Confetti quilt. Each fabric I select tells a story of my quilting journey. During this pandemic, that journey totally stopped in its tracks; I welcome the rejuvenation of this creative endeavor.

 

IMG_2271Fun: This colorful chair sits outside the library. I believe it’s made of concrete. The next time I walk by,  (the library is open on a limited basis and I always manage to go there when closed ) I’ll touch to see …

Here’s to a gentle and delightful Spring weekend for us all. Enjoy!

Cheers~

wintry morn | 2.18.21 …

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…sleet, snow, birds of many feathers, flocking to stay warm, forage, occasionally gang up on one who has a prized gem in its beak.

I sit here at the table, watching Mother Nature; it seems that the sky is brighter – still very much grey – yet brighter. We’ve just finished breakfast – late, today; but that’s OK, we’ve nowhere to go, be. Thankfully.

I check the weather app; yep, precip scheduled to end in the next 4 min – it’s now 11 AM. The birds are resting on tree branches, electric and Fios wires. Perhaps wondering what they’ll do next? As I.

I see a new denizen in the yard – a squirrel …and that reminds me of a project patiently awaiting my attention. Yes, for sure I will stitch a bit … but first, time to wash breakfast dishes and then … so many choices.

I hope you are having a good day.

Cheers~

day is done …

Published on by Honoré9 Comments

…seems I was up before sunrise – now, the sun’s set, the moon glows and I’m wondering : “where has the day gone ? what have I done or not?”

In the done column:

  • shopped for groceries – 2nd day in a row …
  • walked to/through the park – my first time all week …
  • cleared off the tops of the bookcases on the second floor landing …
  • played with scraps of card stock during the Daily Pages session today …
  • and it is time now to make my 23rd LOAD layout – it is destined for my 2020 December Daily album

I went downstairs to take chicken out of the oven and stopped to look out – the moon was gorgeous, begging to be captured :

~ a perfect ending to this October day ~

Have a great weekend!

Cheers~

PS: Next Tues, October 27, is the one little word roundup.

summer’s end …

Published on by Honoré9 Comments

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Bright blue cloudless sky. Birds sing ” caw caw caw” … September’s air feels good against my face. I’m wearing my winter coat and I have on no hat – but that’s OK !  Despite the cooler temps, it is beautiful!  I  stop, take a look around, capture the sky, sun and also the sound : quiet.

I’ve reached the park. Children’s voices permeate the air along with the sounds of lawn mowers and leaf blowers. I hear the creak, squeak of a swing or two. I’m trying to decide which way do I go:  my usual route or forge a new one? Lotsa children at the playground – don’t see too many adults but I do see a rather large dog.

I  decide to take my usual route and trek up the hill, gathering  just enough speed to get my momentum going. Other than the children, not too many people in the park –  usually there are one to four parked at benches, shooting the breeze; others, at a table: writing; reading; sometimes napping …

Tomorrow is the first day of an astrological event: Autumn.  It feels good to walk through this park on this last day of summer. In a way, it’s a sanctuary. A sanctuary.

Autumn. My favorite season of all.

walk 20 in 2020 | 5.4.20 …

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IMG_0441

#walk20in2020 is a challenge Gretchen Rubin began this January ~ you can learn all about it here . Tho’ a tad breezy, today in the nation’s capital, the weather was pretty durn near perfect – for sure an invitation to start the week off on a good foot. And since it’s never too late to start and/or strengthen this habit/practice, I took full advantage of  Mother Nature’s bounty.  I

  • held onto my hat,
  • clocked 54:54 minutes /1.88 miles,
  • easily snapped ten+ pics of bright colorful flowers and
  • relished every minute out in the nature under bright blue sky!

Would that we had many more of such wonderful days, but alas, not to be!