I Love to Write Day

Today, November 15, 2016, is I Love to Write Day. What can I say, words fascinate me. I could spend hours writing. When I am not writing, I am usually reading, taking photos or creating stories in my mind. I use my photography to capture moments in time. Often a simple photo leads to inspiration for an entire night of writing.

My first dabble in writing came from a simple outdated journal. My parents use to attend auctions where second hands goods and other oddities where available. They brought home a box with various items including an outdated calendar journal. The dates were two years old.

I carefully crossed out each day to make the year correct. I entered daily notes. The kind only an eleven-year-old in the late 70’s would find fascinating. Seeing a deer across the road, painting rocks with old fingernail polish than throwing them into the pond, playing hide and seek with my cousins, or riding a skateboard down the “large” hill. Reading the entries always make me smile and nostalgic.

The old outdated journal became my first source of a lifelong love of writing. I left my writing for a while to pursue a business career. After some time, loss of job, and reorganization of my priorities, I am slowly returning to my true love, my calling. The more I write, the more I realize who I am.

Never consider an old outdated journal or other “junk” items as a waste of money, for a child, the inspiration may be the root of a lifelong pursuit.

Until next time….peace

Supermoon

“Moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

Just thought I would share my Supermoon photo. The gorgeous night allowed me to spend a lot of time photographing the moon. The only thing that worried me was the rustling in the woods behind me. Logically, I know the creature was a squirrel, raccoon, deer or an opossum. But my mind always seems to wander to Bigfoot, werewolf, or even a Dementor.

Needless to say, I kept turning around to see if anything was heading my way. Of course, nothing ventured out of the darkened woods. The moment provided me with inspiration to write the rest of the evening.

Until next time…peace

National Pumpkin Day

Today, October 26, 2016, is National Pumpkin Day. As soon as the cold air begins to settle in here in Michigan, everyone goes crazy over pumpkin-flavored foods and beverages. I personally tried a pumpkin spice latte which was okay. But I admit I am still hot tea type of person.

Since today is National Pumpkin Day, I decided to look up different facts about pumpkins.

According to the Pumpkin Patch, pumpkins are actually a good source or potassium and Vitamin A. No wonder, Pumpkin Juice was so popular at Hogwarts. Along with vitamins, the facts about pumpkins are very interesting.

  • The flowers on a pumpkin plant are actually edible.
  • Weighing over 350 pounds and five feet in diameter, the largest pumpkin pie required six hours of baking time. Requiring 80 pounds of cooked pumpkin, 36 pounds of sugar, and 12 eggs, the largest pumpkin pie was a sight to see. I think the large pumpkin pie would satisfy anyone’s craving.
  • Pumpkins were actually referred to as “isqoutm squash: by Native Americans.
  • Pumpkins are part of the gourd family
  • According to Guinness World Records, the largest pumpkin weighed in at 2,323 pounds (1,054 kg). I cannot imagine trying to turn that large of a pumpkin into a jack-o-lantern.

Wondering how to celebrate National Pumpkin Day? How about carving pumpkins? I currently have three pumpkins on my porch. My favorite one is small, orange and bumpy. I am sure it’s more along the gourd variety than a pumpkin. I just love it for the oddness. I have not found the inspiration to carve them yet. But who knows, maybe with National Pumpkin Day, I will.

Until next time…peace

 

Sources:

Guinness World Records., (2016). Heaviest pumpkin. Retrieved from:

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/heaviest-pumpkin

The Pumpkin Patch, (2016). Unusual pumpkin facts., Retrieved from:

http://www.pumpkin-patch.com/facts.html

Goodbye Summer…..Hello Fall

“Fall has always been my favorite season.

The time when everything bursts with its las beauty,

as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.”

~Laura DeStefano~

 

Today, Thursday, September 22, 2016, is the first official day of autumn. While ushering in the fall season, the day marks the end of summer. I personally love this time of year. Even as a child, I just found the fall season fascinating.

The crisp fall air suddenly ushers in cooler nights. The sunsets occur earlier, bringing perfect weather for stargazing and bonfires.

 

Sunset in Michigan
Michigan Sunset

 

The local football season is in full swing. Pumpkin spice is a major ingredient in various products. As the season slowly marches on, changing leaves bursts into vivid color across the Michigan landscape. Bringing one last moment of natural beauty before the blanket of winter engulfs the area.

Walking through nature, I can honestly view the signs of the wildlife preparing for the upcoming cold winter months. I love watching the squirrels and chipmunks gather acorns. The little critters scamper across the dirt paths in front of me. Of course, the chipmunks chatter loudly in my direction as if to tell me I am intruding on their personal space.

Chipmunks love to chatter.
Chipmunks love to chatter.

I try to enjoy these last moments of fall before winter brings nature to a quiet standstill.

Until next time….peace

Mushrooms Galore

“The sudden appearance of mushrooms

after a summer rain is one of the more

impressive spectacles of the plant world”

~John Tyler Bonner~

 

In Michigan, the end of summer rainy days allows for the arrival of  vast amounts of mushrooms all over the woodland floor. Bringing a sense of fascination and wonder, I spend a large amount of time photographing each one. I am slowly going to try to identify each one. I cannot guarantee I will find the correct name for each kind, but I am willing to try. The colors range from a purest white to a deep red. Some mushrooms seem to appear out of nowhere only to be gone before the next day.

The colors of the mushrooms range from a purest white to a deep red. They seem to come in all shapes and sizes; each unique in their own way. Some mushrooms just seem to appear out of nowhere only to be gone before the next day. I would love to attend a course just on identifying Michigan mushrooms.

Of course, I use the different photos of the mushrooms as inspiration for writing about fairy worlds.

Until next time….peace

Black Swimming Swarm

So what does a person do when a swarming black mass appears in the water? Go investigate. Watching the mass move and divide was fascinating. They would move apart and slowly come back together. The mass would swim in formation for a short time. Then, dividing to start the entire process over again.

Dividing Swarm

 

So of course, I had to get closer to figure out what was forming the swimming, swarming mass.

When viewing wildlife, I tend to move forward without thinking. During this specific time, I learned two valuable lessons.

  1. Never wear shorts and walk through nettles.

After all the years of wandering around in the woods, you would think I would have this engrained in my brain. But…sadly no, the nettles seem extra itchy this time of year. The nettles were waist high. Well, I am short, so maybe they were not as high as I thought.

  1. Remember the creek banks are slippery after rain.

Once again, you would think I would remember this fact too. The grass and mud on the side of the bank were an issue for about a second. I believe I recovered nicely; I did not fall all the way down, get wet or lose the grip on my camera. Wearing hiking boots really should be my priority.

The Black Swimming Swarm

When I finally was close enough, I realized the black swarm swimming in different directions was baby bullheads. I am certain the little black bullheads have a proper name. Sitting on the side of the creek bank, I was mesmerized by the swimming flow of the hundreds of baby bullheads.

Baby Bullheads
They were fascinating to watch. I was glad I was able to get close enough (after a couple mishaps) to identify the black swimming swarm.

 

 

Until next time….peace

 

 

 

Natural Beauty

“I believe the world is incomprehensibly beautiful-

an endless prospect of magic and wonder”

Ansel Adams

I was out walking around the backfield when I came across this young doe standing in the middle of the Queen’s Anne. The little fawn still has spots. I truly hope she grows more before the Michigan winter sets in.

Until next time…..peace

Abandonment

Living in a rural community, I often view houses and other structures giving away to natural decay. I understand as estates go on the market, local farmers take the opportunity to purchase the large pieces of land. The extra acres allows for the planting of additional crops which in turn increases profits.

Even with the knowledge, I find the state of abandonment both sad and inspiriting. Imagining the previous owners through the decades, my curiosity always turns to stories. The farm houses make me think about large families surviving through the Michigan changing seasons. Other large grand estates make me wonder about holiday parties or fancy affairs. The deteriorating estates are still bringing a sense of worth through my own creative musings.

Unhappy Bird?

I am use to people not wanting to smile for photos. In fact over the weekend, I photographed a gorgeous outdoor wedding. I think I told people to smile half the day. Well, not the bride and groom, they were grinning from ear to ear as their beautiful day unfolded. Every time, I mentioned the word smile, the person I was photographing instantly grinned which made the day easier for me.

Now, I could be imagining things. But this bird looked like he (or she) did not want me to take a picture. I can’t really tell a bird to smile. Can I?

Until next time….peace