Cee’s Odd Ball Photo Challenge: Outdoor Art
Art can come in many forms and in many unexpected places. Here are a couple of examples from Salisbury and Amesbury, UK
And from the other side of the world, a hotel in Xiamen, China
Til next time, “Today has gone, today was fun, tomorrow is another one.” ~ Dr. Seuss
~Peace ~ JPP
With the Summer heat, I find myself reminiscing fondly of Spring. Ah Spring, that golden time of year here in the Black Hills when after the harshness of Winter, Spring’s gentle warmth and greens is as refreshing as her warm breezes. OK, yeah that’s totally euphemistic garbage. Winter here is harsh and cold, Spring is wet, soggy and storm riddled. But euphoric recall doesn’t quite work that way so, I thought I’d share a few Spring shots with you from a lovely day in early May on a trip to Rapid Creek, Founders Park trail here in Rapid City, SD.
There is just something about the moon in daytime that I find so incredibly entrancing, unusual and somehow magical. Like a clandestine lover on a secret visit, so lovely and yet so unexpected.
Shrubs and trees everywhere are budding with life. Barely containing the excitement when they will burst forth in glorious blooms.
And, of course, birds everywhere. Look hard and you’ll see the little woodpecker atop the light pole. He was hammering away at the metal end cap with such fervor that I feared for his beak!
And or course, anywhere there’s green grass to be found, the ever present bane of gardeners everywhere, the bunny rabbit. Such a graphic reminder of Spring.
Till next time ~Peace ~ JPP
For your consideration and enlightenment …. some stacks and piles
The Virgin River, Zion National Park at the entrance to the “Narrows” after the 100-year flood, rock cairns everywhere. Further evidence of the solely human need to stack things on top of other things. 😉
’til next time ~Peace~ JPP
For Cee’s Oddball Photo Challenge this week some of the oddest foods I’ve ever seen. Don’t get me wrong, the foods were all fabulous but somehow just unexpected.
Finally, this novelty from the land where food and anime have become art forms:
“Every day from here to there, funny things are everywhere.” ~Dr. Seuss
~till next time ~Peace~ JPP
Held within the confines of Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota, lies a mesmerizing little body of water known and Sylvan Lake.
Popular with tourists and locals as well, it’s a lovely little oasis during the heat of summer. We took the trail around the lake and found it well worth the walk. There are fascinating geological sights like this “narrows” part of the trail between two mammoth boulders, watch your head.
Or the tiny waterfall hidden in a crevice.
Then there’s the stairway to heaven, or maybe just back to the road.
And, as always life and beauty in the oddest places, just waiting to be noticed.
If you find yourself in the Black Hills area, visiting Mt. Rushmore or Sturgis, take a few hours and explore Custer State Park and by all means, take the perimeter walk at Sylvan Lake. Til next time ~Peace JPP
I love John Muir’s writings. Always have. He touches my heart in a way few other writer poets have. So, for this Wednesday, while those of us in the US are off making our party plans, cooking and celebrating I offer this.
Take a moment, close your eyes, breathe deep, listen to the sounds, feel what the air feels like. Open your eyes and see, really see, the world around you. There is beauty there, there is beauty everywhere, you have only to open your eyes to see it.
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul” ~John Muir
“And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” ~John Muir
Til next time ~Peace JPP
So, this week, my take away on the COB challenge is “walkways.” Here are mine.
Some walkways are nicely paved and wonderfully wide
Other’s are beautiful for a leisurely stroll
Others are more challenging but worth every slogging step
But one thing is always the same, I’m always sorry to see them end
