stories, photographs, adventures…the next chapter
Inspired by Cee’s B&W Photo Challenge: Doors and Drawers
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One herb or spice per drawer…each a medicinal hope for ailing customers who entered this Vermont pharmacy…sometime in the early 1900s.
A piece of history on display at the Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont.
Inspired by Frank at Dutch goes the Photo: Peace
…share posts that evoke the sense of peace for you, in whatever form that might take.
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Several months ago, I discovered a small clearing in the woods in back of my condo building…which I often gravitate to when I am out for a walk.
Even though I can still hear the roar of the traffic from the nearby highway, it is my peaceful place. I often wish there was a place to sit.
Perhaps the coincidence traces back decades to when I used to spend afternoons out exploring the wooded area down the street with my friend Kathleen. Gathering rocks and leaves and the odd rusty nail in an old bucket. Or – alone – perched in a tree in my front yard, hidden from the world…as deep in thought as a 9 year old can be. I always felt a sense of belonging…and a sense of lightness being in the out-of-doors.
Although now there is no tree climbing…that sense of belonging continues.
Inspired by Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: White
This summer I noticed a flowering bush so pale amidst glorious purples on either side, I decided it deserved a photo of its own. Overlooked, as it might often be, in such colorful surroundings.
I do not know what kind of flower/bush/plant this is, however I was intrigued by its seaweed appearance…even though it was flourishing on a Vermont hillside.
Can anyone solve the mystery?
Photo a Day: Solitude
Inspired by Lens-Artists Challenge #73: Cold
We look forward to seeing your interpretation of “cold”. It could be snow and ice, or a frosty window pane, or even your favorite flavor of ice cream!
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What a timely topic this week…
A recent walk turned crunchy as I navigated around an icy mess in the nearby woods. Freezing temperatures had recently followed close behind a cold rain…trapping the remnants of fall leaf survivors.
But I know it’s only a matter of time before the scene…once again…showcases a familiar blanket of white.
Inspired by Nancy Merrill’s Photo a Week Challenge: Brown
IN A NEW POST CREATED FOR THIS CHALLENGE, SHARE A PHOTO (OR TWO OR THREE) THAT FEATURES THE COLOR BROWN.
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This is an appropriate time of year to feature the often overlooked, under-appreciated color of brown.
The shades that grace our leafless trees, dormant grass and muddy dirt roads.
Inspired by Frank at Dutch goes the Photo: Fantasy
Your challenge is to use the theme of Fantasy and take it into your choice of creative directions; be it an image of your fantasy location, a fantasy that is in your mind, or whatever speaks fantasy to you!
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Does anyone remember watching the Walt Disney show on television…with the tagline “The Wonderful World of Color?”
Walt Disney’s “Wonderful World of Color” was one of my favorite programs when I was growing up. First only in black & white…and when I was 11…finally in color. When my grandparents gave us a Zenith color TV for Christmas. What a revelation! Color!
The show was broadcast on one of only three (!) network channels on Sunday night right before the Ed Sullivan show. A million years ago.
If I was lucky – and my mother didn’t notice that my sister, brother and I were still up – the Sullivan show morphed into Bonanza.
I escaped through television back then. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the make-believe lives of Donna, Samantha, Gilligan, Beaver, Chip & Ernie and Clark fueled my imagination for what an alternative reality might be. Unrealistic of course, but when you’re a little kid, you don’t know any better. It was a welcome relief to watch kind loving families with problems where it all eventually worked out. When the day was saved by a flying mouse. Or a flying man in a suit. Or even…a flying nun. When the world was a happy place in the end.
My fantasy photo for Frank’s challenge appeared to me on a walk yesterday.
A spot where grass and trees and water and light coalesced…
Via my magical, yet rudimentary, computer software – it emerged in its own wonderful world of color.
As the fantasy progressed…
a peaceful warmth emerged…
…my fantasy revealed.
Inspired by Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Red
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When is a perfect time for red?
When it’s your birthday…and your party is only a short car ride away.
Inspired by Lens-Artists Challenge #72: Waiting
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Over 20 years ago I received a Christmas cactus as a gift. I was encouraged by the fact that cactus plants have a reputation for survival.
In other words, it would be hard for me to kill it. As I often did with houseplants – unintentionally – much to my continuing dismay.
I think it flowered that first year, but rarely did it bloom as advertised…supposedly at Christmas time. So there it sat on a living room shelf…near the window…or away from the window…for years. I pruned it. Or I didn’t. No matter what I tried, my cactus remained…well…green. Dusting the branches didn’t help either.
But thankfully it stayed alive. For the most part.
When we moved several years ago, it mysteriously started showing signs of color and bloomed gloriously at our temporary beach rental that November. I thought the placement by a sunny window made it happen. Or perhaps it was waiting for us to downsize. I’ll never know for sure.
This October, I pruned my aging cactus and pumped it full of plant food at its spot by a sunny window. And I waited.
Nothing.
Waited some more.
Until one day I noticed buds…sprouting on the tips of almost every branch.
My visiting grandson was dutifully impressed (as only a 3 year old can be) when I announced: LOOK! Buds! They will turn into flowers! This is so exciting!
Another week passed.
I watched and waited. Carefully watered. Not too much. Not too little (just guessing at how much “enough” really was)…
Then, last weekend I noticed an explosion of sorts from one of the buds.
Waited another day.
And finally today…two days later…
A complete flower…
…with more to come.
Definitely worth the wait!
one letter UP ~ diary 2.0 