Good morning!

"In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary. " 

~Aaron Rose

After several days of rain, I was happy to see the sun return last week. 

Not that I wasn't grateful for the rain - it raised the level of our pond a couple of feet - but I much prefer starting my day with a gorgeous sunrise.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from my morning walks last week...

(juniper pollen buds ... waiting for just the right breeze to wreak havoc with my allergies!)

And of course Belle was right by my side. 

"In this holy moment before the day begins,

I turn to you, O Lord, and ask:

shape the words in my mouth,

the actions of my body, 

the thoughts of my mind.

Let everything that comes from me

reflect the light that comes from you.

Amen."

-        Patricia Leonard-Pasley

Happy Valentine's Day, Long Hollow-Style!

Look what the Hollow gave me this morning on my walk.

It was resting right in the middle of my usual path, 

and large enough that even I couldn't miss it.

Last night the sky gave me a sunset wrapped in pastel tissue... 

...and earlier this week the sun gave me glistening gold.

Wishing all of you a Happy Valentine's Day and eyes open to the gifts all around you!

"Without Valentine's Day, February would be...well, January." 

~ Jim Gaffigan

Light

My eye is drawn to sunlight. 

When I walk in the mornings, I notice it reaching into the Hollow, chasing the shadows away.

In the woods, I love how it works its way in, shining tiny spotlights on a tree, a weed, a blade of grass, 

and dances on ripples in the water.

The sun is the epitome of benevolence – 

it is lifegiving and warmthgiving and happinessgiving, 

and to it we owe our thanksgiving.

~ Jessi Lane Adams

Light, God's eldest daughter... 

~Thomas Fuller

Light gives of itself freely, filling all available space. 

It does not seek anything in return; it asks not whether you are friend or foe.  

It gives of itself and is not thereby diminished. 

~Michael Strassfeld

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.  

~Maori Proverb

The sun is nature's Prozac.  

~Astrid Alauda

The windows of my soul I throw

Wide open to the sun.

~John Greenleaf Whittier

Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair...  

~Susan Polis Shutz

In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary. 

~Aaron Rose

When my heart is heavy, the sun helps make it light. 

~Astrid Alauda

No matter how fast light travels it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it.

  ~Terry Pratchett

I think you might dispense with half your doctors if you would only consult Dr. Sun more.  

~Henry Ward Beecher

Do not anticipate trouble or worry about what may never happen.  Keep in the sunlight.  

~Benjamin Franklin

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, 

and thanks to a benevolent arrangement 

the greater part of life is sunshine. 
~Thomas Jefferson

From within or from behind

a light shines 

through us 

upon things

and makes us aware

that we are nothing

but the light

is all

~Ralph Waldo Emerson~