The vaulted void of purple sky
That everywhere extends,
That stretches from the dazzled eye,
In space that never ends;
A morning whose uprisen sun
No setting e’er shall see;
A day that comes without a noon
Such is eternity.
~John Clare
country road
Wild Daffodils
No flower means spring to me more than the daffodil. I look forward to the time of year when the wild daffodils spring up in the fields and along the roadside. Oftentimes, they mark the spot where a house once stood but is now long gone. Over the years, the bulbs reproduce and leave bright yellow clusters for all to enjoy.
… When all at once I saw a crowd
A host of golden daffodils
Beside the lake beneath the trees
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze …”
― William Wordsworth
Red-tailed Hawk
A Red-tailed Hawk sitting in a tree along the Mississippi River levee.
“For to have faith, is to have wings.” ~J. M. Barrie
Eastern Bluebird
“When I bought my farm, I did not know what a bargain I had in the bluebirds, daffodils and thrushes; as little did I know what sublime mornings and sunsets I was buying.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Barred Owl
Earlier this week, as I was out walking shortly before sunset, I came upon this Barred Owl. It was sitting on the long arm of an oak tree that was stretching across our country road. Though I sometimes hear the hooting of a Barred Owl in the distance, this is the first time I had come across one up close.
“Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.” ~Benjamin Franklin
Carolina Wren
“Sometimes … the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” ~A. A. Milne
Growing strong
There’s something comforting about looking out across the field and seeing the strong, towering arms of the oak trees stretching heavenward. Their strength and beauty often serve as a source of wonder and inspiration for me.
“When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” ~Peter Marshall
Radiance
“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.” ~Victor Hugo
Moon through the pine trees
I stepped out my back door the other night and was pleasantly greeted by a big, bright full moon shining down at me through the trees . Sometimes all you can say is “Wow!!!” 🙂
The moon, like a flower
In heaven’s high bower,
With silent delight
Sits and smiles on the night.
~William Blake
Brown Thrasher
I spotted this brown thrasher along an embankment beside the road. He was bobbing up and down between busy spurts of churning leaves and digging dirt. My presence didn’t seem to phase him at all — as finding food was obviously of top priority.
” Give whatever you are doing and whoever you are with the gift of your attention.” ~Jim Rohn
