The Zinnia

The Zinnia is my favorite summer flower. I bought some in late spring. The plants were quite leggy and begging for more room to grow. When I transplanted them I wasn't sure how they would do. 

They have since adjusted to their new home and have made some surprising adaptations. I kind of like their funky twists and bends. It's a little unusual for them not to stand strait and tall... like a soldier... stretching upward to the sky. They have learned to live with their long legged stems. 

The Zinnia's are planted in old wooden tool boxes. One white. The other blue. Both chipping and weathering with age. It's a perfect combination. The vivid array of colors against the backdrop of old chipping paint and rusty hinges draws the visitor of the garden a little closer. 

The Zinnia's bend their head's and take a bow... as if they had just given a performance of a life time. They spread sunshine and color and the garden applauds!

Inspired by Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop  

Let Nature take its Course

Some lessons your father teaches you sticks with for a life time. I recall, as a youngster, combing the mountain side with my dad as we hunted for deer. After reaching a ridge where we could see far below us, we would find a log or rock to sit on and snack on apples as we kept our eye out for any movement in the brush. As big game manager for the DWR, dad provided his family a treasure trove of experiences in nature that most children only dream of. I knew how lucky I was!

As we sat there in silence I grew aware of the awesomeness and majesty of nature. The image still vivid in my mind as I reflect back to the expression on dad's face viewing the full splendor of mountain peaks and valleys and meadows... never having to speak the words. I saw it in his face, his eyes, and demeanor. I felt it in my heart. The message of awe and respect imprinted on my soul. Dad taught his family to love and respect nature. To marvel in its beauty and recognize God's hand in all things created in the sky above and the earth beneath. He taught us to observe nature with sensitivity and to allow nature to take its course. That was a necessary part of life. 

I had one such experience in June of 2012 when I watched, with awe, a bird build a nest.. a home for her eggs... day after day, straw upon straw, feather and twigs... in our bbq grill. Such an unlikely place I thought, but I was intrigued with the effort put into building the nest. I watched.

One day I lifted the lid carefully to observe its progress and was surprised to find a beautiful miniature blue egg. Additional eggs were added over the next 4 days bringing the total to 5. The mother bird sat on her eggs day after day, only leaving her nest for nourishment.

The days turned into weeks and I knew the time had passed for the eggs to hatch. Although the grill was the ideal place to build a nest and keep it protected from predators, the sun rays beating down on the metal lid made it too hot for survival. I felt sorrow for this mother that could not give life to her babies. Nature had taken its course. A necessary part of life.

                             Inspired by Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop 

Vacation

I am a vacationer! Mostly because Mr. D (my husband) has been bitten by the travel bug and can't seem to stop. Therefore, I go... usually. 

We have a world map and have a colored pin at every place visited and every place planned to visit. I have my own colored pin and Mr. D has his own. He has traveled much more than me and I'm totally ok with that! 

In fact, he plans the vacation itinerary, down to the last detail. And it includes running from place to place... from sun-up to sun-down. Our days are so packed that sometimes there is no time to eat. I'm usually exhausted at the end of each day. Sometimes our vacations are anything but relaxing! 

Mr. D has an abundance of energy. I don't know where he gets it from! He is afraid he is not going to get to see something. Vacation to him is packing it all in! On a trip to France we went to 3 large Museums in one day. I didn't get much out of it. 

Me, on the other hand, prefers something entirely different. The slow... take your time to enjoy the wonders of it all. Vacationing is...

Walking the beaches of Normandy, reflecting on the meaning of freedom.

Omaha Beach, Normandy

Climbing a lighthouse and imagining myself in a ship at sea... ever searching for that beacon of light in the still of night.

Ireland

Climbing to the top of a windmill and looking out at the vast rows of tulip fields stretching in every direction.

Holland

Sitting close, but keeping my distance, to the edge of large majestic cliffs, listening to the ocean waves beat against the rocks.

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

Getting lost in a mystical garden of ferns, flowers, streams, hidden paths, and waterfalls.

Blarney Gardens, Ireland

Climbing a Castle and imagining myself as a princess in Medieval Times.

Blarney Castle, Ireland

Traveling back in history as I revisit places where my pioneer ancestors once lived.

Jonathan Browning Gunsmith Shop, Nauvoo, Ill

My 5 x great grandfather, Benjamin Freeman Bird, built the original house (on the right) and cabin in the back and traded it with Jonathan Browning, famous gunsmith, for land outside the city limits of Nauvoo.

Finding a fallen log hidden deep in the forest, and sit, soaking in nature's beauty and creatures all around.

Holland

Doc's Flat, Mantua - a few miles from my home. Isn't it beautiful!

Meeting people from other cultures and learning something new and interesting from them. Making new friends and leaving with a better understanding and appreciation for both the similarities and differences between us.

Residents of the Floating Islands, Peru

Even in those busy, hectic days of vacationing, one thing is for certain... I've learned the world is filled with beautiful cultures, beautiful wonders, and beautiful people. 

When vacation ends with Mr. D, that's when my vacation begins! 

At Home. Relaxing in my garden.

When I get rested up...  we're sure to be off on another adventure. Vacationing in a distant land, cruising the sea, or... if I ever get to do the planning we'll be exploring our own back yard!

         Inspired by Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop