Category Archives: Seasonal

Central Illinois Spring

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Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men. ~Chinese Proverb

I’m up to my ears in web design projects right now, but I figured if I didn’t get these Spring photos posted, it might be Summer before I come up for a deep breath!

We’ve been fighting our share of wind, rain, and coolish temperatures, but Mother Nature knows it’s time to put on her striking glory. See if you don’t agree:

Not sure but I think this might be a magnolia. Yes, we have them here! This one was in a little park outside of the business district.

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Easter Joy

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Let the resurrection joy lift us from loneliness and weakness and despair to strength and beauty and happiness.  ~Floyd W. Tomkins, Episcopal American deacon

Time off to celebrate the day

For Easter Alleluias.

And eleventh hour flute practice

For a band concert this week.

I’ll return soon — til then

Happy Easter! Happy Spring!

Love is on the Ground

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He felt now that he was not simply close to her, but that he did not know where he ended and she began. ~Leo Tolstoy, Russian writer

She: A chunk of bread and you, my sweet,

No more is needed; my life’s complete.

He: Oh, life, indeed, is fair and fine.

What’ll it be, your place or mine?

 

Note: April is National Poetry Month.

 

 

Avoiding Confrontation

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He has not learned the lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet and philosopher

A healthy respect for a goose

In the open and walking around loose

Is a wise path, it would seem

For they can be mean

Especially when it’s one versus deuce!

 

Note: This is another Limerick. I saw these birdies outside a shopping mall recently. Quite defensive over their territory (might there have been a nest nearby?), they’re BIG creatures (almost waist-high!) and can be intimidating with their hisses, open mouths, and bold approaches. Didn’t Shakespeare write, ‘Discretion is the better part of valor’?!

Won’t Be Long Now

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No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. ~Proverb

Here in Central Illinois, we’ve come to accept that “spring” really doesn’t arrive until May 15.

Just this past Saturday, we had a mix of rain, sleet, and snow (thankfully, it didn’t stick!).

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Going, Going, Gone

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I willingly confess to so great a partiality for trees as tempts me to respect a man in exact proportion to his respect for them. ~James Russell Lowell, American poet

Remember this?

I decided you might be interested in the rest of the story, so here goes:

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Waiting and Watching

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Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart. ~Victor Hugo, French poet, novelist, and dramatist (Les Misérables and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame)

Shivering as the north wind howls

Ice clings to evergreen boughs

When will spring return?

 

March 20 or thereabouts

Don’t give it another doubt

This mess will melt soon!

 

Clothes Make the Man

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When in doubt, wear red.  ~Bill Blass, American fashion designer

Llama sweater, llama toy

Both designed to bring me joy.

“Ugly” sweater, squeaky plush

Stylishly brown, fashionably blush.

One for the son, one for the pup

Seeing them together just cracks me up!

 

Note: Happy New Year, friends! See you in 2019!

(Nearly) Silent Sunday

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Keep shining, beautiful one. The world needs your light. ~Author Unknown

Arthur, Illinois, the heart of Amish Country, boasts this spectacular Pumpkin House. With more than 300 pumpkins decorated by school kids, business folks, volunteers, and others, this display at the Association of Commerce building is lit nightly for a week from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1.

Walktober 2018

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Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake. ~Wallace Stevens, American poet

It’s time once again for Walktober, the group walk organized by Robin of Breezes at Dawn. It’s not too late to get in on the fun (Oct. 28 is the cutoff date), so step into your sneakers and join us!

For this year’s trek, I traveled to Lake Shelbyville, a reservoir located in Central Illinois formed by damming the Kaskaskia River. Some $57 million was set aside (a hefty chunk of change back in 1963!) for the project, which was dedicated in 1970.

Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Lake offers 11,000 acres of surface waters, 172 miles of shoreline, and 23,000 acres of surrounding public lands dedicated as state parks. More than 4 million visitors a year come here to swim, fish, boat, hike, camp, picnic, or sight-see.

What are we waiting for? Let’s start walking!

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