another spring theme, with a very random collection of photos

        Spring is a favorite time of year for many of us, in Kentucky as much as in other places.  I am inclined to have a little fun, though, with these ten photos that don't usually see the light of day. Celibrate the season, and be thankful for all the essential work it does.

I wish Kentucky were at least a purple state...

annual northern flicker visit, en route, and rooting

dogwood 1, with blooms

 

 dogwood 2, with dog, but no blooms yet

blue herons, busy with their nest egg(s), in New Haven, CT  (See bank below.)

 

 

 

roadside bank, moss and more moss

down by the big waterfall, which we would have a hard time getting to this year

 

 

 

 a true wall hanging, seen from my front door

 

     

I can't resist sharing this old photo that I happened upon this weekend.  With spring on my mind, the title that came to me is something like "four spring chickens, now no longer spring chickens but still laughing anyway."    

thanks for the visit, Ann

A second celebration of hopeful moments over the years, via some favorite photos

post #517

        While the wait goes on -- for an official acknowledgement of the normal transition process between American political administrations --  nature decided to try to blow us away!  And, here in Eastern Kentucky, this very afternoon was spent without electricity!! I guess we will learn the extent of what happened and where tomorrow. For once I have a very dramatic explanation for the belated time of posting this weekly blog.....  After all, I want this is all about hope since we know there will continue to be moments of hope in our lives. At the moment that reality can sometimes feel elusive.

 

I have to start with these lovely hay rows. Every year. The small cemetery on the hill. The beauty of the land near where I am lucky enough to live.

      

a visit from our friend George Ella Lyon -- and time together with a book

This photo happened -- it wasn't very posed -- during a gathering of writers at the Hindman, KY Settlement School. These two writers are good friends and great writers, and they each have a recent book.  Talk about hope for the world!  I mentioned George Ella's two weeks ago, and I really think it's terrific, Voices of Justice. Gurney Norman's is Allegiance. I have heard it is remarkable.

 

                          visits with good neighbors, good friends

        Next is a photo by Rebecca of her wonderful student Honami, from Japan, who came out to R's house to see if the sukiyaki we make in Kentucky has almost the same taste as hers does back home.  Note: Japanese families are well known to be extremely polite. We might never know what she really thought, but I think she actually enjoyed a Japanese meal while "away from home."  We enjoyed being with her very much. (photo by Rebecca O. Wright)

I love this after dinner moment with Peg, who now runs a Bed and Breakfast in southeastern Kentucky, very near Cumberland Falls. She and I knew each other in Connecticut 100 years ago... There are stories.... She also knows Gurney. (see above)

I don't know whether these three are related or just mellow full time, as mourning doves often are. The birds in our neck of Appalachian Kentucky are endlessly fascinating to me. 

        This is going to be enough for tonight. Kind of random, kind of amazing. I feel this science t-shirt says it all. I continue to have some problems with the revised blog info getting the photos I want to go where I want them to, and so forth.  Pulling the weekly post together works better now than it did this summer, but this blog is supposed to be all fun for me, and certainly not more frustration than fun.

         May everyone stay healthy and wear a mask when out in the world, for others, and may damaged Donald Trump be blessed with a sliver of insight, just what's needed to give it up about our elections being rigged. Enough already of damaging the very foundation of our nation.  

        Again I send thanks for all the grueling, caring work being done on behalf of those suffering from Covid 19. I'm glad the rest of us can at least help a little by wearing a mask and not being part of big groups. A lot of us doing what we can will make all the difference.

our afternoon on Grayson Lake

post #442
        Summer time! Cousins and kids! Grayson Lake! cliffs! swimming! a few photos!!  And some more photos next week as well.

 

a rare quiet moment on the lake

People, second post, more eastern Kentucky moments

post #433
        More, more, more! With my current (but temporary) lack of mobility, I am enjoying "being with" these folks whose photos I have taken, usually spontaneously. Thank you all!!
       

friendly fellow woods photographers

a  friend's January visit here, from Oregon

big 80th birthday party

the birthday girl

her daughter, Sandy, at a 4H competition

Sandy's granddaughter, and her 4H prize winner

Junie, at his home (with my granddaughter!)

 

Jean, of the photo Jean's jeans....

 

Jean's jeans (one of several versions over the years)

Jean's husband, Garry, has died, and it has been hard for everyone:

Garry's nephew

Garry's daughter with Jonathan, who was like a son

such a smile!

For some reason, I find this guy hilarious -- very rooted in the community, for sure.

 

artist and quilter

Jennifer, friend and artist and clear thinker

         Next week I will do more grandchildren, and other kids.  Then the last week will be folks I have visited in different places.  By then I should be back on both feet, instead of only one, and back out in the world. With my camera!  Hooray, hooray!

California, #2, more walking around

post #424
           I'm home again, where it's not yet fully spring, and these California blooms help with the waiting for flowers in Kentucky. I didn't take my heavier camera with me on this trip, so I did the best I could with what I had.
           I have 24 photos to share left -- too many for one post -- so I'll be having a third California post next Sunday.

 IN LIZ's TINY FRONT YARD:

mint to be....

a good year for lemons

also a good year for limes

plum blossoms

THE RED WOOD TREE:

extra close neighbor, long timer

seen through the sky window in the guest room

seen from the front yard

INSIDE THE ENTRANCE OF THE HOUSE, a genuine warm welcome -- from dolls that belonged to Liz's mother:

          I'll be forever grateful for the six day visit Liz and I had together. We've been friends for 55 years! I will post the remaining photos next week. (True confession: I traveled light, but I am still not fully unpacked.... )