• Annie Dillard,  fall season,  leaves,  Plants,  quotes,  seasons

    Concerning trees and leaves..

    October 27, 2022

    Concerning trees and leaves… there’s a real power here. It is amazing that trees can turn gravel and bitter salts into these soft-lipped lobes, as if I were to bite down on a granite slab and start to swell, bud and flower. Every year a given tree creates absolutely from scratch ninety-nine percent of its living parts. Water lifting up tree trunks can climb one hundred and fifty feet an hour; in full summer a tree can, and does, heave a ton of water every day. A big elm in a single season might make as many as six million leaves, wholly intricate, without budging an inch; I couldn’t make one. 

    Annie Dillard

    Annie Dillard’s quote caused me to rethink my perspective on the world of these trees around me. It’s that thing where I look at them, see their beauty, see them as a passive object, while failing to see the innate and active power within them. And, I couldn’t make a leaf either. However, I love to see them swirling in the wind, whether the leaf is clinging to a branch or free-falling to the ground, or lying peacefully on the ground. Always intrigued by their shapes, patterns, colors and how nature seemingly and randomly scatters them to and fro, making beautiful art, just for me. And, I love to photograph them. ❤️

    Read More
  • Annie Dillard,  leaves,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  Plants,  quotes,  sunrises,  Uncategorized

    … try to be there.

    September 30, 2022

    “The answer must be, I think, that beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there.”

    Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

    The winds began to pickup on Thursday afternoon. I stood on my porch watched them blowing with the wind. We may see isolated storms over the next two days, so many trees will probably be barren by Monday. We really had no bright colors on the trees this year, almost every leaf turned brown then began their descent, the final stages of their lives as leaves. I learned to make it a routine to grab my camera and walk around my condo and along the edge of the ponds just to be there. Never know what simple beauty I will discover

    Read More
  • Annie Dillard,  clouds,  landscape,  natural areas,  Pineridge Natural Area,  quotes,  sunrises

    Try to be there…

    April 5, 2022

    “The answer must be, I think, that beauty and grace are performed whether or not we will or sense them. The least we can do is try to be there.”

    Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

    These are the predawn colors at Pineridge Nature Area this morning. A strong wind was blowing from the north, robins were singing and magpies were squawking. At first one may think the magpies are complaining but I like to believe it’s their way to greet me in the morning. Just maybe they are thanking me for being there. After some journaling at the natural area I made my way for my morning mocha. They also thanked me for being there.

    Back home and clouds now fill the skies. A steady rain is being offered to our parched land and souls. This rain is welcomed, a wonderful sign of spring, so I have a thankful heart. Hope you have a great day and try to be there.

    Read More
  • Annie Dillard,  Candid Portraits,  coffee shops,  People/Portraits,  quotes

    Morning coffee…

    November 4, 2019
    A young lady with morning coffee and her shadow

    “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour and with that one, is what we are doing.” 

    Annie Dillard, The Writing Life

    Met this young lady at the coffee shop the other morning. Loved the light on her so I asked if I could take a photo and one is all I took. Many of you know I’m one who spends time at local coffee shops with my books, journal, fountain pens, camera and openness to who I will encounter. It is always an adventure.

    Read More