back to spring

         I've made some photos that have benefited from this year's spring leaves being later and slower to show themselves.  At the same time I've had a request from someone who has never been to this part of the northeastern Appalachian mountains to explain our version of "straight roads" or the number of curves per mile in certain places. Had the various trees been already laden with leaves, some of the curves would have been even harder to see. At the same time, this year's seriously damaging ice storm helped open spaces in the woods that had not been there before -- I like to think it's another proof that the forest knows its part on how to help nature's healing.

        In any case, I have really enjoyed being out and about with a camera this past week during this cool, wet, and therefore lingering spring in northeastern Kentucky.

 

 

 

       

The Marathon pipeline shows off our hills and their challenges.

mayapples, with a blossom in the ready

 

 

 

 

redbud tree in transition

the dogwood, under a fallen limb, beautifully blooming

mud mansion

    I wanted to end with this "last lilac" photo, out there all by itself, survivor of the ice storm, a vision of faith in the future, even though the wind was blowing while I was marveling at it.

     I hope this has been a good week for everyone, stay healthy, speak up for justice, and here's a big welcome and bravo to Chrystal Wilkinson, Kentucky's newest poet laureate!

 

  

Now it's rain, rain, rain here in Kentucky

post #528 

        Very wet Sunday greetings to all, from under leaky grey clouds and over the swollen creeks. The electricity around here returned yesterday and the day before, and so I'm now able to be at home after 7 nights moved in with friends a half hour from here!!  I learned how to play Rummy 500 there. (Here's thanks for my beginner's luck!). I also could use my iPhone and have some internet, etc. And how wonderful to break bread together. I'm grateful to have already had my vaccine shots.

        My main political comment for today is that all politicians who can't proclaim that President Biden won the very fair and square 2020 election are in fact treasonous and willing to promote violence within our prized democracy. Most of them know that the voting fraud part is a lie, especially those as politically skilled as my two Kentucky Senators, Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul. I call it rampant cynicism on their part. Simple as that.

        But we now need some "moving on to spring" photos. I grew up in Connecticut, thinking  winter was the best season.  But here spring reigns supreme. It's beautiful and wondrous, especially in the woods. I love, love, love it. 

meadowlark after a shower

tiny frog on the milkweed pod

apple orchard, near Elliottville, which is no longer there

on a bank, bluets (or Quaker Ladies)

along the creek, a favorite perch

dogwood blossoms, near my mailbox

redbuds, thicker than usual

a spring beauty

that special green covering spring brings

redbuds

dwarf iris, nearly the last one in this wooded spot

reliable announcers of spring, day after day

roadside

 

 

            There's so much to see under a spring sky. I wonder what we'll notice this coming spring after the winter we've had. I sure love the natural beauty found in these Appalachian mountains.          May we find solace in how nature rebounds every year even if it's not always everything the same as the year before or after. I hope we can better team up with nature and not just use it up.

        

         

the role of snow and truth seeking

post #525 

    Today, by sharing the beauty of snow, I honor the change of administrations in America. 

     So much that's difficult and dangerous could have happened this past week.  Instead, what traditionally happens -- on January 20th the fourth year after a previous inauguration in the USA -- took place.  The President and Vice President with the most votes, in fact the most ever in any such election, have become our duly elected 46th President and V.P..

      This election was held during a tragic and challenging pandemic. Even so, this year ours was one of the best conducted elections ever.  So many hard working and dedicated people across the land made that happen. Only a man who can't bear to lose, for his own personal inner reasons, could be so distraught as to lie over and over and over to his fellow citizens about the truth of the election's outcome.  Losing happens.

       I see the snow of this season as an image that speaks to me of a covering over of what is past, what willl quietly be feeding new growth, like underground roots.  This provides what's needed in order for there to be new growth in the spring. It actually mirrors what happens in our lives and with our committment to democracy.  This year there may not be vast amounts of snow in Kentucky, where most of my photos are made, but I think the idea of a rite of passage still exists.  I hope these snow photos do convey something about how nature faces the need for renewal. It’s work, but that’s what’s required for the huge rebuiliding task ahead of us.  

 

a visiting Coopers hawk , 2015

goldfinches, in their winter mode, 2015

2015

 

cardinal, the bird of Kentucky, 2015

2015

2015

 

 

 

Even the guest has to work for her keep --- THANK YOU red bird MELVA! (2015)

 

 

        The last two photos are by Rebecca, in February a year ago!

 

    May winter's job work its wonders and do the same for the humans -- who don't always give nature credit for what we can learn by paying attention to it.  

    Stay safe, seek truth, and let's practice being kinder to one another.

final four, even without any UK basketball!

post #235
        Life has been full court around here - if I can count the only-5-years-old washing machine that died, the tire I slashed by driving over some debris along the ridge, the laptop that continues to be too full, and the bushels of teeny tiny ants that are welcoming spring on my kitchen counter.  So I thought today I would post several final four selections of photos from my recent past, to celebrate the tournament of life, without the stress/adrenalin pump of only one winner....
      The first fun was time with two grandkids and a visit to the Denver zoo. I didn't make many photos during the visit, but here are four images I am happy to share. Already I am a winner for just being there with them!

 
          

eye to eye with a tortoise! 

      Next, I was honored to be part of an arts presentation in Lexington, at the newly renovated Friends Meeting House -- an event that had been the dream of the cellist.  Two poets and this photographer joined her to share music by Bach, with poems and periods of silence interspersed, and with some of my photos on display that connected to the poems.  We were grateful so many people came, even though the event, planned many months ago, took place during one of University of Kentucky's tournament games... 

audience fans and relations -- and a favorite photo of mine and a great t-shirt

The cellist is Roberta, center, with Melva Sue, left, and Judy, right.

 

        Besides basketball in Kentucky, it has been time to check for spring: Four of us went looking for early flowers, especially hepatica, and for remembered early signs of spring.  We even walked as far as the chimney in the woods, looking for daffodils that I'm sure I saw in  other years there.  But there were none!!  I will be checking in 10 days to see if they are irradicated for some reason or just late.  There were still treasures to be found, however, and stay tuned for additional photos in a few weeks, including guest photos of what we found.

look for the photographer in this photo, and in the next one....

         OK, now for the fourth and final round today - four photos from a fine eightieth birthday party for June McDaniel, Saturday afternoon!  I got my flat tire on the way over, but arrived in time for a fine feast and delicious cake.  My thanks, as always, to this family for taking me in and always, always making me feel so welcome.  

    This next photo could be called having your cake and eating it, too:

      I do want to thank the three young men in a white pick-up truck who kindly stopped to change my tire -- the first vehicle to come by.  I love that I live where that happens.  We are all winners when community is strong.