stacks (man-made patterns series)

 Interesting isn’t it?….how we love order. We stack rocks, bags of fertilizer, books, and dishes. In doing so, we find a measure of contentment and a sense of gratification. This desire I believe is ingrained in us and is a good thing. It’s been said that “order is the shape on which beauty depends”.  Sometimes, however, for reasons beyond our control we are unable to keep things “in place” like we’d like. We realize our ability to stack and order only goes so far. But, that realization too, is a good thing, especially when it causes us to lay down our self efforts and trust in grace.

                                                                                                                 

from a city garden (pattterns in nature series)

Oh I could go on

And on

Day after day

Sharing images of

Nature’s patterns

Petals, leaves

A honey bees stripes

Don’t you agree

There must be a

Reason

For such a legion of circles

Squares

And all the rest?

The two images in today’s post were taken in my new friend Ruth Ann’s beautiful backyard. How wonderfully she has incorporated patterns into her lovely private garden.  I would love to go on and on with my “patterns in nature” series but I hear new things calling. Next: man made patterns. And though they be imitations of what we see in nature, some of them are quite interesting too. 

abstract trees (patterns in nature series)

I like the patterns the tree trunks make in this image I created using slow shutter speed and camera movement. It reminds me of the fact that life is not static. Change and movement are oddly enough two of life’s “constants”. Longfellow puts it nicely:

Nothing that is can pause or stay;
The moon will wax, the moon will wane,
The mist and cloud will turn to rain,
The rain to mist and cloud again,
Tomorrow be today.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

May we learn to embrace the changes that come our way and see the gifts they hold. 

spider web (patterns in nature series)

The artist is a receptacle for the emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider web."  ~Pablo Picasso

I'm thankful today that i could witness such a delicate yet strong work of art. Posting this image brought to mind a poem i wrote several years ago:


Faith

I saw the spider clinging to the tiny thread that morning
as the wind whipped and spun it
up
and
down

round and round

later in the day, he was still there
clinging

i could barely see the thread
it looked like he was floating

in mid-air

up close (patterns in nature series)

This is a close up of a butterfly wing. The circular patterns seen here aren’t readily observed when the butterfly flits by: a reminder to me that I often miss the deeper beauty in the plants, animals and especially people that I come across every day. It really doesn’t take that long to look closer.

*Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.  ~Albert Einstein

Gerbers (patterns in nature series)

Gerbers are one of my favorite flowers; such cheery creations. Today I am struck by the pattern I see in them. The fragile petals are beautiful in themselves but when connected and fanning out from the center become a thing of even more beauty. Dare I say, like people. J

seashells (patterns in nature)

“Perhaps middle-age is, or should be, a period of shedding shells; the shell of ambition, the shell of material accumulations and possessions, the shell of the ego” ~Anne Morrow Lindbergh

I like Anne Lindbergh's analogy. I think “shedding” is a good thing. This image serves as a reminder and encouragement of things and patterns “shed” through the years.  There is such freedom to be had when we don’t carry hard, heavy shells around. J

succulent (patterns in nature)

We Orientals find beauty not only in the thing itself but in the pattern of the shadows, the light and darkness which that thing provides.  ~Junichiro Tanizaki

This image and corresponding quote remind me to look closely at those things around me. Often there is amazing artwork at our feet or in a flicker of light through the tree branches. Lines and shadow can do astonishing things.

witnessed in the rain forest (patterns in nature series)

“I don't like standard beauty - there is no beauty without strangeness.” ~Karl Lagerfeld

I’m not sure that I agree with Mr. Lagerfeld but I do agree that beauty often can be found in strangeness. I might be tempted to say there is no beauty without simplicity. It seems to me that anything beautiful has an element of simplicity; lines of grace, shades of softness…..something that harkens to elemental truth.

lines, lovely lines (patterns in nature series)

Yesterday's giraffe image got me thinking about patterns. Thus, my adventure for the week is to set out with my camera in search of patterns. Wonder what i'll find?!?!

This image was taken in the Tropical Rain Forest building at the zoo last week.....there were MANY patterns there. I can only imagine the patterns in the Amazon Tropical Rain Forest. What an astonishing   planet we live on!

baby giraffe (for the love of animals series)

i want to say something clever
about you
about your long neck
your gangly legs
your amazing pattern
and your tender affection

but i'm at a loss for words this day
and all i can say is

ahhhhhh

behind the wheel (for the love of animals series)

What he might be thinking:

1. "Hurry up Edna! I'm ready to go home!"

2. "I hate 5:00 traffic!"

3. "A Siamese in a red convertible!!! Will wonders never cease!"

highlander (for the love of animals)

some days
i might call your position
enviable

after all
you “see no evil”

but then, again,
you don’t see much of
anything!



*This image is of a “Highlander"; a breed originating in Scotland. The Highlander has many characteristics that we might find enviable, or at least inspirational. Here are a few:


1. They are the hardiest breed of cattle in the world.
2. They are notably mild tempered.
3. They demonstrate excellent mothering ability.
4. They are excellent forages and demonstrate great survival instincts.
5. They are known for their adaptability.
6. They are CUTE!

faithful friend (for the love of animals)

thank God
for those
in the background

of
our lives

box turtle (for the love of animals series)

cheetahs run
like flames of fire
here
then gone

geese on wing
inspire
to continue journeying home

and the little box turtle
says

go at the pace
you were made for

stop often
look long
and

listen deep

tiger (for the love of animals series)

oh Majestic One


You bespeak
power
beauty
and truth

and in your mighty face

i see
compassion


This image reminds me of a passage from Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis. (Though Aslan is depicted as a lion in the Narnia books, I think this tiger suits the descriptions well.) The passage is describing Lucy’s first encounter with Aslan on her second journey into Narnia:


“Aslan, Aslan. Dear Aslan. At last.”

…She gazed up into the large wise face. “Welcome child,” he said.

“Aslan,” said Lucy, “you’re bigger.”

“That is because you are older, little one,” answered he.

“Not because you are?”

“I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”

stubborn (for the love of animals series)

i've held my head this way
and you?
who wouldn't
be able to relate

we all have our own
way of doing things
our own time to do them

thank you
very much!

up close (for the love of animals series)

Oh Ernestine,

You give me hope!

If God created you
with wrinkles and grey eyelashes
They can’t be all bad!:)

*I went to the zoo yesterday to photograph the animals. They were as fabulous in appearance and diversity as I had remembered them from my last visit years ago. I must say, however, that seeing them in the cages left me feeling sad. When I got home and viewed the images I was amazed at the “sadness” portrayed in them. I was planning this series to be a “fun, light-hearted” series…and for the most part will stick to that plan. But occasionally you will see a portrait from my zoo outing and it will remind you that all God’s creatures were meant to be FREE

percy (for the love of animals series)

Percy is my parent’s cat. Rescued from a flood (as a tiny kitten) by my mother, he has lived many of his “nine lives” very fully. He is as independent as he looks (except for his daily cuddle time with dad, and dad alone!) His presence in the farmhouse is a great source of companionship to my parents. Feared by most of the grandkids, however, (many of which are now adults), he has set his boundaries and made his place known in the family. Percy, like many cats, makes no bones about anything. What you see is what you get! :) Aren’t his eyes exquisite.


*“As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat.” ~Ellen Perry Berkeley

** “I had been told that the training procedure with cats was difficult. It's not. Mine had me trained in two days.” ~Bill Dana

 

in confidence (for the love of animals series)

Oh, to know what she is whispering…..
Here are some possibilities…….which is your favorite?
Feel free to add one of your own in the comment box. Would love your ideas!

   1. “Don’t look now, but Felix has been staring at you all morning.”
   2. “Moon jump tonight. Be at the old cottonwood by midnight.”
   3. “Millie is spreading rumors that you dye your hair. Is it true?”

                              Have a fun Saturday!

koda (for the joy of animals series)

oh koda dahhhhhhhhling,
whatever are you
thinking?


Such sweet eyes you have my dear.

"Tidbits" was fun but i didn't want to go a "tad" too far with them. :) So, on to the next series. I hope you will enjoy "For the love of animals".

Today's post images are off my sweet sweet little "grand dog" koda. She is quite the little charmer.

fairy (tidbit series)

Make believe is good for the soul.

Think about adding a fantasy to your reading list. Maybe a George McDonald, C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle or The Hobbit by Tolkein (even if you've read it before.)

the bottom of the wishing well (tidbit series)

So many pennies!

A penny for your thoughts on "penny thoughts". :) Here are some of mine:


“cost a pretty penny”…(are some pennies pretty and some not?)

“In for a penny, in for a pound” (hmmm…maybe should read: a pound is made up of many pennies)

“the penny dropped”…..hmmmm, this sounds like someone “lost” something rather than “realizing” something.

“turn up like a bad penny”…..are some pennies bad and some not?


My own ode to the humble penny:

Penny pretty
Penny true
You are lovely
Through and through

Your size
Your shape
Your copper hue

Ignore the ones who
Pooh pooh
You!

dust storm (tidbit series)

There are days when the path
seems to
disappear
BUT.......
           it's still there.


*The Road goes ever on and on 
  Down from the door where it began.
  Now far ahead the Road has gone,
  And I must follow, if I can,
  Pursuing it with eager feet,
  Until it joins some larger way. (J. R. R. Tolkien)

unfolding (tidbit series)

Most beautiful things
go through a period
of
unfolding

...and some things unfold year after year. Thus, demonstrating the ever recurring possibility of becoming more beautiful.

*This week's adventure took place yesterday: another "shop your closet" gathering. Three of us gathered at our friend T.B.'s house to watch Marsha do her magic. We definitely witnessed some "unfolding". May we all keep unfolding both inwardly and outwardly to reflect our Great Creator's beauty. Have a good week.

looking deep (tidbits series)

When I spied this small frail house I was immediately taken by her beauty.

Sure, her body is run down. She could use new paint and a new roof but there are so many endearing things about her.

Almost everything we see deserves a deeper look.

playing pieces (tidbit series)

So, I recently bought an onyx backgammon set at a thrift store. Price: $8.00. When I saw it sitting there I was immediately struck by it’s uniqueness and beauty. I hadn’t played backgammon in years but remembered playing it with my husband in the early years of our marriage. I wasn’t even sure how many pieces were required or if this set was complete but I decided very quickly to purchase it. (unusual for me) Since that day, I have been playing cutthroat games of backgammon with my adult son. I’m competitive and my husband is competitive so needless to say, my son got a “double dose”. He REALLY hates it when I win. :)My husband is starting to play too. (Finally worked up his courage! :)) There are so many “tidbits” I could share as a result of buying the game that day in the thrift store. Here are a few:


Onyx is a semi precious form of quartz which has alternating straight bands of color, most commonly brown, tan, and white. The pieces in my game are BEAUTIFUL!

Sometimes gifts come in unexpected times and places. Keep your eyes open and say “yes” to them.

Take time to play games. It’s good for the soul.

The color of onyx is created by impurities that creep into the rock as it is formed. (Our impurities can be transformed into something beautiful.)

Laugh with your loved ones.

If you take up Backgammon, practice rolling doubles!

Even game pieces can be the inspiration for creative work:

 
 
This week's adventure: Going to an estate sale.   
 
 
 

worn thin (tidbit series)

When the rubber meets the road often enough....
The rubber wears out!

*I'd rather wear out from "hitting the road" than be tucked inside a garage and never see anything. Wearing out is part of the deal, whichever way you choose. :)

cat (tidbit series)

Let's face it. There are individuals out there who just aren't happy to see us coming and will probably start running if we get too close. :)

an observation (tidbit series)

Old things have more character than new things.