fall, so far: walnuts, those green and mowed fields, beautiful light , and more morning mists than usual

    We are beginning the leaves-fall-off part of autumn but there has already been a lot of beauty and action.  Thanks to morning drives while taking care of the family chickens --- my daughter and her family were away for a few days --- I saw more mist than I might have.  True confession -- I don't often get out early of a morning like I used to just to make a photo.

    Posting on my blog every other week, however, continues to present the challenge of getting everything in I want to share because there can be too much to choose from --- not necessarily a problem, but occasionalIy I like to mention the way I work. Or don't work. I hope the info is sometimes interesting.

 

   First, two views of the enormous number of black walnuts this year!  Amazing! 

The walnut tree just standing there, taller and thinner and separate from other trees, and a major bird perching place.

 

A bit more of an arty photo, same tree, maybe a day later, but I was standing in the same spot for both. Look out underneath such beauty!  And thank you, chickens, for getting me there in that light.

 

 Next: one misty morning, with the mist hiding the usual view, I was so surprised to see how different this place looked that I see every time I drive away from home.  (I showed this photo a blog post or two ago.)

 

Here is what it looked like the following evening!  The cows are not there, but what can I do about scheduling cows!

Other scenes during this time:

along Route 504, a version of earlier photos

Then this is from the same place, looking back where I had come from. The mist is rising here, but still not where I go next.

And this is a big year all over Kentucky for fungi, mushrooms, etc.!!

    

 I did visit some neighbors this week, and this tiny pumpkin display was in their living room. Usually she has a pumpkin to give one to every grandchild, but this year that hasn't worked out.  But I loved seeing the variety and design of these little ones .

As I left their house, I decided to make a short video of their "back yard" -- and I hope to provide it -- as well as another one as I finish up for tonight.  Actually, I have "lost" the video I thought I had... Will redo it soon.

So thanks as always -- I enjoy the sharing.  And I end with my familiar and repetitive encouragement to be generous of heart and get vaccinated, please, please, please!!  NOW.  Stay alive!!  Keep others alive!

 

pausing for a poem

post #484
      For making sense of these serious, shifting and unsettled times, it definitely helps to have writing friends who use their words to respond to what goes on around us.  I'm fortunate to share in the poems, essays, songs, novels, memoirs, and fiction manuscripts from the monthly writer's group I've been part of for over 25 years. We stay surprised, grateful for the work that surfaces in this supportive milieu. In addition, we rely on each other's perspectives about anything.
      A recent poem George Ella Lyon shared with all of us gave me the idea to feature it on my blog, with a few photos of mine that could have a connection. I next hoped the other five of us would share some words over the next weeks or months. I'd like to add photos when it works to do so. I look forward to seeing what we come up with! 

      When George Ella recently sent us all this poem, she included a short paragraph with it, which follows:
          Thank you [all] so much for responding to my poem in such a deep & thoughtful way. I wrote it in the early fall of 2008 when I was at the Mary Anderson Center as that financial crisis was unfolding. I was concerned, of course, but I had a meadow, abloom with fall flowers, to walk in. I had the birds, the butterflies & dragonflies, the lake, the woods. I experienced such presence and consolation. Ever since then I've had that meadow in my heart to return to. 
          May we all have such places. May we honor them & each other.

THE MEADOW DOES NOT KNOW
about the stock market.
Today she is worth
exactly what she was worth
yesterday, a year ago, at creation.                            

I don’t mean property value,
taxable assets. I mean
milkweed and copper moths
honeybees, cow vetch,
king snakes. Meadow life
is not money. What rises
and falls here are stems
and flowers, leaves and fruit.
No zigzag line of profit and panic
but the great wheel turning.
Here God gives of her
extravagance and here, like
flicker, viceroy, dragonfly
we come into our inheritance.


  

                     
                George Ella, thank you.

photo stories #3 and a blast from, well, only 2010

post #472
         Today, in one of my other projects besides this blog, I found a thumb drive with photos from 2010 and 2011.  I was curious to see them again, since I have always had a bad sense of time passing so it could be interesting. 
        The first photos were of my granddaughter T., newly born! One day soon I will get to show them to her myself. Then I decided I should take some of the other photos and post them on today's blog. I'd say I was really into mist on the mountains back then, or else the weather has changed so that it no longer happens as often.  
         So, please enjoy. 

a favorite photo, titled "Black and White in Color"

another favorite -- I made this in a Farmers Market on Martha's Vineyard while I was there for a week's photo workshop. 

a neighbor's front yard. I had forgotten I made this photo, glad to see it again.

a wet summer so lots of very green fields right after mowing

daisies are always so cheering

This antique horse drawn hay rake was more picturesque than helpful. We didn't keep it in the end but it always hurts to not provide a rest home for such helpers after their years of hard work.

from the bridge, looking over Laurel Gorge, in Elliott County, Kentucky

across the road and nearby to where I lived

two views on this wet day from the same spot on Jean's farm, and I like them both

 

Jean's barn

patient summer companion, on the front steps

beautiful moments by chance

post #361
        I have been busy this week reviewing all the photo notecards I make as I prepare for the Arts and Crafts Holiday Market coming up December 2. This process includes looking through my images so far in 2017. What did I find but some photos made in a favorite place off of Mauk Ridge where I sometimes go to make quick check to see if anything's going on. That's where this summer I found the unexpected discovery of this year's best milkweed plants. 
        At the moment my best way to share that place during another check is on this blog, so today I'm sharing from there today. Reviewing one's work can have its own reward.

the drive in

five photos, showing from left to right, sharing the misty cover

        This "stop by" took only 15 minutes, around 7 p.m., in mid May. There I was, with the quiet, the peace, and the beauty of the evening mist. I must not have had time to stay longer; indeed it was the last week of my photo class. I don't take for granted that I will discover hidden beauty, but I do try to stay open to being available for possibility. These images of mine show as much about Appalachia as those other photos that claim to define this place. 

        For the Americans who read this post, have a safe and loving Thanksgiving. For those who read this in other countries, please know that many, many, many of us here are trying to steady the current turmoil our government is fostering. We are doing this by speaking out, by voting, by persisting, and by renewing our commitments to a caring community that turns away from all the lies and greed driven nastiness. Please hold us in your hearts.

summer sweep up -- some photos which were missing in action

post #306
       In addition to posting here only once a week, I don't always include every photo I could - trying to spare my loyal readers from too much too often. Today's post consists of some photos I like but haven't shown yet.  Well, a couple of these photos included did need a second look. I'm going to try again using a phrase or word for each photo. Enjoy!
 

just do it

guess....

coy cardinal flowers

sunshine x 2

still running

    This next photo does have a story with it: a cousin camp game in progress, run around the house, pick up an apple en route, drop it in the hoop at the end, before running around the house again. And again.  For some reason, all three kids went along with this game!

evening displays--

sit-calm: On the Dam

Another story: these three members of the Rowan County chapter of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth were the noon crew at the renowned Cave Run Story Telling Festival, selling homemade soups, cornbread and pies. This is the third year KFTC benefits from the hard work of local chapter members - the debate continues whether very hot (this year) or wet (the last two years) helps or hurts business. Thank you everyone who made food or was able to work the booth this year!!!

back at 4H....

Morehead moment (August)

a Seine moment -- I hope everyone has some of these this week....