Whispers of Spring

Imagine me right in between Max and Belle up there, running alongside them.

That's how I feel these days... rush, rush rush, with deadlines and ever-growing to-do lists chasing me.

I've had to neglect my blog-reading (and of course, house-cleaning), but I'm still taking time for my morning walk with the puppies and my camera, 

so thought I'd share a few random shots from the past few weeks.

I snapped the one above 

because it represents two seasons crossing paths in what should be a third... winter.

See the autumn leaves?

Now, zoom in and see the hint of buds on the nearby branch. 

Everything is confused by this balmy weather!

Belle gazes at me like this quite often, standing completely still, 

sometimes tilting her head, trying to figure out what the heck I'm doing.

Notice her new pink collar?

Robins have taken over the neighborhood for the second time in  just a few months.

It's funny because I don't remember ever seeing any around here before, although we had them every spring in my Houston-area neighborhood when I was growing up.

At least I think these are robins! 

They have a touch of yellow under their wings you can't see in this photo - I'll post more later. 

They're very unafraid of the camera!

Don't these leaves look like they're dancing?

I love walking on foggy mornings, when the mist gently veils the hills.

I'm not sure what this is that grows on branches... moss? 

Lichen? 

Whatever it is, I love it and have taken zillions of photos of it.

I'll spare you by just posting one.

Green things are popping up out of the ground. 

My favorite old tree can finally see its reflection again, thanks to the recent rains we've had.

A close-up of our flagstone path that leads to our front porch. 

Tom built it himself, (hernia #3, I believe) and even transplanted this green moss (lichen?) between the stones.  

Those tiny golden cones scattered about were washed from the juniper trees and can no longer wreak havoc with my allergies, hallelujah!

Hope you enjoyed these bits of morning walk randomness!

Weekends are for Walking

I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.

~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

To-do lists were forgotten this past weekend.

The sunshine called me and I answered, heading for the woods
 and the wonder to be found there...

Follow me through the woods to a damselfly-covered pond,
 along a dry creek bed lined with ancient cedars,
and back up into the sunshine where butterflies feast on tiny yellow buds.

With Love from Port Aransas (days 3 and 4... sun, seabirds and saying goodbye)

May we see after the rain, fair weather,

after the darkness, light,

after these storms and tempests,

a gentle calm. Amen.

~St. Cyprian of Carthage

Until next year...