End of Winter's Tale

Taking a brief road-trip I found myself traveling through an allegory for some experiences we have in life.

The day was bright blue as we traveled the snow-covered earth. The sun shone down brightly and it wasn't long before...

We stopped to look at the view on the road, trying to discern what it was that lay ahead.

It was quite beautiful and mysterious, even exciting.

...like a 'Sea of Light' ahead on the road.

As we dropped into the valley the fog rolled over us

and it somehow seemed less exciting but instead, dreary and uncertain.

It quickly covered the pleasure of the bright blue day.

It became so thick that my camera couldn't focus on any one point and eventually was so dense that all I could see was the road in front of the nose of our car.

I checked our gps and felt that even though I couldn't see any familiar landmarks that the road would lead us to where we were going.
And that despite the sudden strangeness of the journey it would, with caution, come out all right.

Eventually the fog lifted to reveal a storm's edge that had passed us by. We had been quite fortunate not to have been caught in the storm's path, despite the fog.

And at journey's end, something lovely and a reward unexpected during my fearful travel:

A silver-white fantasy pressing the once again bright blue sky.

Although the journey is sometimes difficult and uncertain, that which lies ahead can be beautiful, even though it is unimaginable and unexpected.

May the dawning Spring bring you joy.

Reflections for a New Year

January with its freezing temperatures makes me want to hibernate, curled up with a book in front of the fireplace. The turn of the year is a down-quilt I use for warm reflection while poised on the threshold of a new time and the world slumbers in ice-white. I love the New Year because the world suddenly seems filled with possibilities and there is something about a nice, clean-slate calendar that demands time to consider not just declarations of improvement, but the possibilities of whatever new wonders the year may hold. –A little time to spin dreams into golden, hopeful desires. So instead of creating resolutions to feel massively guilty about in a few months, I’ve decided instead to simply be RESOLUTE. I’m working on 3 specific tasks already and I must complete them properly so my life will move forward as I desire it to. They are not impossible, but they are demanding and worthwhile. Then after completion, (which I believe will be shortly) perhaps some of my new year’s ponderings about the future will be given wings to fly and a nest on my ‘to-do’ list.

I've chosen a few photos this month that are from quiet, blissful moments. --Something that is all too often at a premium in life. Wishing each of you a peaceful, joyous New Year.

The snow crop this year, has been amazing and plentiful.

SHHH! Don't let my camera know that I've been spending time with my paintbrushes! It was heavenly. Must, must do more... :)

Included at Tracy's request. --A Monday morning just before all the craziness of the week begins.

Sometimes there are entire worlds in icicles.

And finally, a quiet moment for my story dragon. I envy his time to read.

Fall Uphill

I suppose one doesn't say happy Guy Fawkes Day? Probably not. Here are a few pictures I took on a Sunday drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon recently. We went as far as Albion Basin. (The July wildflower pictures.) I took some pictures of the meadow in it's autumn state, but they are so forlorn that I just can't present them here. (They cut down my favorite dead trees and mowed some of the meadow! Horrors.) Instead, I've included my favorite 'autumn-aflame' shots. Also, something I'd never seen before, but perhaps you have...Aspens turning red instead of the traditional yellow. I could not resist two brag shots of 1-month-old William with his parents. And lastly, two shots Tracy took of me with the first glimpse of our new baby, err...book, Eventide. Happy Fall all!

Autumn Road Home

I recently had the thrill of taking the Alpine Loop drive over Mt. Timpanogos from Provo Canyon to American Fork Canyon. I have loved this road since my teenage years, but it has been a while since I've traveled it. The fall colors this year seem somewhat muted and perhaps not as vibrant as they might be. In fact, a friend recently commented to someone that he didn't think that the fall colors were very good this year and he was told that he is a 'leaf-elite-ist'. However, the clouds and light combined to make for a satisfying Saturday afternoon. I wish I could have bottled the chill air with the sharp scent of pine against the low musky note of fallen leaves. Heaven.

I've included one picture at the very end of little William who is our 'fall harvest' this year. Grand babies are wonderful.

This is the bowl above Aspen Grove on the south side of the mountain.

The weather was quite changeable.

We began the climb in earnest. Tracy was very patient to let me capture shots and became quite adept at finding places to pull over on the narrow road.

This picture is for my daughter Angel who has an 'autumn tree' lit and decorated that looks quite a bit like this one in her front entry. Who knew they came pre-decorated? Just add lights.

Feather bed of ferns

Summit

Stage Curtain Parting

Pavilion

The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say. --JRR Tolkein

I sometimes wish I could see the road ahead more clearly. Just a glimpse, please? No. I suppose that would be cheating.

Fairfarren

Sweet William and Nanny

Rainbow's End

Have you ever noticed how the light changes outside when a rainbow is about to appear? Color and contrast suddenly intensify. That's when I run outside with my camera. I just know there will be a bow in the sky. Often there are two.
I've also included my Garden Mantra. Which I use in my garden and elswhere.
I attempted to photograph the moon. Difficult. It's moving a lot faster than it seems. I read an article on 'shooting' the moon and discovered that there is fancy equipment for such a task. ~sigh~ I will not be investing in these things right away. And I'll restrict 'shooting-the-moon' to a game of hearts.

There are a few photos of our family trip to the zoo on Labor Day Weekend. AJ was monkey-enchanted. 'More monkeys? More monkeys?'

And lastly, sunflowers blooming in my garden. Finally. They were the absolute last bunch to bloom at the community garden and I thought it would never happen. Sometimes life feels that way too. Waiting...breath holding...pain; but then it unfolds and blossoms and all the agony is forgotten in the joy of that perfect moment. Anticipation is a terrible and wonderful thing.

I was amazed at how close I got to rainbow's end.

I loved this bow because it persistently grew brighter despite the fact that it endured against the backdrop of a dark-grey velvet storm.




Garden Mantra
I am Eve in the garden
in the garden
in the garden
I am Eve in the garden
In the Garden of Delight
In the Valley of Joy
Under the rainbow
Beneath God's hand
Where all is good and right.
(Repeat)
-Laura Hickman

Did you know that there will be no blue moon's in 2010?

First Zoo Trip

Ah! Real monkeys.

More monkeys?

Monkey love

Alex and I...two little ladies in hats.

These eyes have seen a lot of new things today.

Late Bloomers ...like me