There are many wonderful gifts to be found in the woods.

Why am I always the problem child? Taking a watercolor still life class because I hate to paint still life and need to challenge myself. Today I didn't need the added stress of the instructor playing classical music. I had to leave or put my head thru a wall. Next week, noise cancelling headphones🤬

I smell the pines and feel the stillness that accompanies the suns first rays. The mountains are ablaze with color this autumnal morning.

I am always able to find peace in the mountains and I am grateful to have always lived amongst them.

Schnoogie changed my life. She survived Hurricane Katrina, years later, found me. She taught me about about love, showed me joy. She also taught me some hard life lessons. Love cannot fix everything no matter what we believe or how hard we try. Love and pain, both great teachers, coexist💔🐾

Today's early morning beautiful conjunction:
Moon, Venus and if you enlarge photo, you can faintly see Regulus to the lower right of Venus

The woods are full of frog song this year. This little guy likes to tuck himself under the deck umbrella.

5 Lined Skink, native to NY!🦎 One in particular likes to tease my dog! #WorldLizardDay

This is the goddamn truth.
www.instagram.com/reel/DFO7TS9...

The delicate beauty of the Tree Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa) is fleeting.

No matter how much turmoil swirls within and around me, the land holds and soothes me.

One of my favorite stream side plants is Cranesbill(Geranium maculatum). Not only is it beautiful, it is a powerful medicinal herb.

The tiny spray droplets feel like water sprites tickling ones face. The woods are once again leafed out and filled with bird song after the drought ending spring rains.

I will try this one more time. It is my intention to create a place where one kind find a moment of calm in a chaotic world.

I tried, the online thing just isn't for me. I will miss a few of you but I found social media to be devoid of real connection, an empty time suck and often a toxic distraction.

Beneath the skies of #Yuletide’s wail,
They hang the forms, both gaunt and pale.
Effigies sway where cold winds creep,
#Latent dread where shadows seep.

Dark trees watch in solemn pose,
As night consumes what no one knows…

#vss365 #GothicAdvent #Folklore