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A Splash of Yellow
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2019 05-07, 4211 - A SPLASH OF YELLOW – As we transition into the greens of late spring, the bright spots at the moment are the splashes of yellow that dot the landscape in the form of forsythia. In life there are always splashes of color to be found, no matter what the season.
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2019 05-06, 4210 - HOUSING BOOM – There is a housing boom taking place on the mountain. There homes have been constructed by our son for the bird population that has discovered the safe environment we promote. I look forward to observing the increased activity of the new families settling in.
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Housing Boom
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2019 05-05, 4209 - THERE IS STILL BEAUTY IN THE PUSSY WILLOWS – Even though the furry blooms of the pussy willows have disappeared, the mature remnants have a unique beauty as they sway in the breeze. Life at all stages has beauty.
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2019 05-03, 4208 - WOODPECKER HEAVEN – There is an old dead tree riddled with holes I call Woodpecker Heaven. It has nourished many birds over the past few years. Walking the land, I always feel gratitude for the old dead trees that still play a role in Nature.
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Woodpecker Heaven
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Heartbreak Hill
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2019 05-03, 4207 - HEARTBREAK HILL – We have an old skidder road on the mountain that was our first trail and is very steep; one has to stop to rest every few feet when climbing it. We don’t use it any more as we have alternative ways that are much easier. We can make choices in life as to how we choose our path.
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2019 05-02, 4206 - A GIFT FROM THE TURKEYS – On a recent walk-a-bout I saw a turkey feather on the ground, and I knew that it was a gift left there for passersby to appreciate. It is a safe place for people, wild animals and birds to visit a positive environment.
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A Gift from the Turkeys
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A Lot to Look Forward to In May
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2019 05-01, 4205 – A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN MAY – Usually May begins with green leaves and flowers bursting into bloom. Not this year; there is a lot to look forward to as the month progresses. In dull spots in life there is always the opportunity to anticipate positive change.
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2019 04-30, 4204 - THE FIRST BOUQUET OF SPRING – I have been waiting for a month or more for the daffodils to bloom. I consider their yellow blossoms to be the first bouquets of spring. Perhaps they will linger for a while as the season progress. Each day I will be grateful.
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The First Bouquet of Spring
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Sunset Study
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2019 04-29, 4203 - SUNSET STUDY – I love to study sunsets, sunrises, as well as clouds in the sky. I am grateful that I have so many opportunities to attend nature’s artistic exhibits. Studying Nature is really about studying all life itself, including the human side.
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2019 04-28, 4202 - THE RETURN OF A SPECIAL BIRD – A flash of bright blue in a bird feeder caught my eye and I saw a special bird, the male Indigo Bunting, for the first time this spring. It visits for a short time before moving into the woods for the summer. I appreciate the beauty that nature provides.
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The Return of a Special Bird
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Old Tom
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2019 04-27, 4201 - OLD TOM – The old tom turkey was puffed up about as much as he could as he displayed for the hens in his flock while fending off other males. I am reminded how humans like to puff up with knowledge or abilities. It is important to remember that we may not be the source, just a part of it.
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2019 04-26, 4200 - HAWK EYES – I studied the red-tailed hawk through the lens of my camera as it perched on a branch searching for prey, its eyes piercing the landscape. I thought of how I search the landscape looking for something in Nature that teaches me about life.
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Hawk Eyes
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Survivors
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2019 04-25, 4199 - SURVIVORS – Finally, the crocus have found their way to the ground’s surface and are blooming once more, showing their will to survive over adverse conditions. They remind me of the human spirit that many have to survive in the harsh conditions of life. I am inspired.
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2019 04-24, 4198 - STANDOFF – We have had quite a show by the turkeys this spring. The males have been sparring with others to attract the females. I watched two puffed up in a standoff and thought of how we often have standoffs in our minds, but we can compromise with ourselves.
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Standoff
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Outlined by a Red Sky
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2019 04-23, 4197 - OUTLINED BY A RED SKY – My eyes were drawn to the brilliant sunset as I relaxed in my chair by the window. I rushed to capture the image with my camera, and returning to the spot outside as the sun dropped behind the big mountain, my heart felt joy in the moment.
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2019 04-22, 4196 - ANOTHER SIGN OF SPRING – Signs of spring are all around us, some welcome and some not so welcome. When I saw a ground hog munching on the new growth in the lawn I was not overjoyed. I knew it would also eat the flowering plants before they bloom. Yet, I am even grateful for this sign.
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Another Sign of Spring
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White Lily
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2019 08-19, 4315 - TIME TO ENJOY THE PHLOX – As the calendar counts down to fall, it is the time of year to enjoy August flowers such as the tall and vibrant phlox that bring a smile to my face when I pause to appreciate them. No matter what the season, there is always something special to focus on.
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2019 08-18, 4314 - THE PRICKERS ARE WAITING – I observed the beautiful ripe blackberries and thought about reaching for a tasty treat, when I remembered past painful experiences with the prickers. To achieve a goal, it is always good to proceed with caution.
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The Prickers Are Waiting
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The Field Is Alive
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2019 08-17, 4313 - THE FIELD IS ALIVE – The camera at the bottom of the Lupine Field helps show me how alive it is. Birds, insects, and animals constantly visit, but are often unnoticed. Nature reminds me that wherever we are, living forces that we may never see are here to guide us.
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2019 08-16, 4312 – HAVING A SNACK – I paused for a moment to watched and photograph a butterfly having a snack of sweet nectar from a wildflower. It feasted from many different positions including upside down. I remain amazed at the beauty and intricate design of Nature.
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Having a Snack
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Young Buck in Velvet
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2019 08-15, 4311 – YOUNG BUCK IN VELVET – A young buck with spike horns covered in velvet passed by the trail camera as it grazed in the bottom of the Lupine Field. This magnificent teenage animal was developing its confidence in his world as he matured. I am reminded how we grow in life.
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2019 08-14, 4310 – READY FOR THE ROAD – The older side-by-side has been rebuilt and licensed for the road as a special commercial vehicle designated to help us on the trails as well as other projects. It took a period of time to get it accomplished. I believed in the purpose and focused on a positive outcome.
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Ready for the Road
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Looking Inside a Hive
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2019 08-13, 4309 – LOOKING INSIDE A HIVE - On the outside of a windowpane at the local historical society, hornets are constructing a hive that shows them at work from the inside. I wonder if we will ever be able to see what the inside of a mind is doing, like this view Nature has provided.
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2019 08-12, 4308 - DOUBLE THE PLEASURE – The double orange day lilies are now in bloom. To me, they are one of the most special of all the lilies that grow on the grounds. They also serve as a reminder that now is the time to appreciate the beautiful flowers of summer before they fade away.
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Double the Pleasure
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Sharing the Road
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2019 08-11, 4307 - SHARING THE ROAD – Our game camera caught a doe moving along the road, and in the next photo was the blurred image of a spotted fawn trying to keep up. The camera helps us appreciate the animals that exist around us that often go unnoticed.
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2019 08-10, 4306 - READY FOR A MUFFIN – The blueberries on the mountain are almost all ripe and ready to be picked and enjoyed on the spot or gathered for a future treat like a blueberry muffin. We hope that by the time we have a chance to pick, there will be some left, but my soul is already nourished.
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Ready for a Muffin
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A Cluster of Queens
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2019 08-09, 4305 - A CLUSTER OF QUEENS – A large cluster of Queen Ann’s Lace stood out near the trail that follows the edge of the Lupine Field. I knew the royals were keeping an eye on me along with the Brown Eyed Susan. I often feel Nature is putting on a show just for me.
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2019 08-08, 4304 - AFTER A PICNIC – We often take a picnic and go up the mountain to enjoy our meal in the peace and solitude sitting by the cabin. It is like entering another time. After a picnic, we often take a walk to the Lupine Field to take in Nature’s spectacular evening show.
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After a Picnic
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Another Variety
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2019 08-07, 4303 - ANOTHER VARIETY JOINS THE ENTERTAINMENT – I am entertained all summer by the many different varieties of flowers that grace the landscape. I photograph them, study them, and even pause for a moment’s grateful meditation. I love to be entertained.
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2019 08-06, 4302 - MAKE WAY FOR THE BROOD – I have been waiting since the female turkeys disappeared a couple of months ago for them to bring their new broods to hunt for food on the lawn. Recently that day arrived, and now I will enjoy watching them grow over the rest of the summer. Life is renewed.
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Make Way for the Brood
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Can You Hear the Buzzing
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2019 08-05, 4301 - CAN YOU HEAR THE BUZZING – The sassy beebalm has a brilliant color that almost seems to buzz. In fact, I often hear the buzz of the bees as they gather nectar from the blossoms. I wonder how many people never take the time to appreciate Nature’s amazing day to day life.
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2019 08-04, 4300 - A FLOWER OUT OF SEASON – The lupine blossoms have long since faded away, or at least that is what I thought…until I discovered a single plant just beginning to flower. Just like wildflowers, some people come into bloom when it was thought their flowering season was over. Never too late.
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Flower Out of Season
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Help from an Old Friend
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2019 08-03, 4299 - HELP FROM AN OLD FRIEND – Old friends are special. They can be relied on to be there when they are needed. Old friends come in many forms, from people we know to strangers we meet for the first time but seem as if we have known them forever. Friends can be angels and even an old tractor.
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2019 08-02, 4298 - RAGGED ROBIN – Crossing the bottom of the Lupine Field, in the northern corner, clumps of tall lavender flowers caught my eye. It was a new discovery in a place not seen from the top of the clearing. Seeing life from a different angle can often lead to new discoveries.
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Ragged Robin
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Evening Reflections
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2019 08-01, 4297 - EVENING REFLECTIONS – Summer evenings, with perhaps the sounds of crickets or water at the lake or ocean, when the sky changes colors as night approaches, are a wonderful time to pause and reflect on the day and set in your mind positive goals for tomorrow.
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2019 07-31, 4296 - SUMMER HAZE – The lazy, hazy days of summer are here for us to enjoy. It is a time to slow life down and create a little mind fog, giving yourself a chance to regroup and rejuvenate before the busy late summer-early fall season begins.
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Summer Haze
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Mountain Ash
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2019 07-30, 4295 - MOUNTAIN ASH – A flash of red caught my eye at the bottom of the Lupine Field where the woods begins. With the new trail close to there I was able to see it was not sumac but a bunch of bright red berries. I researched what I had found and think it is mountain ash, an exciting find.
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2019 07-29, 4294 - WAITING FOR THE BUTTERFLIES – The milkweed, now in bloom, waits patiently in the orchard for the butterflies to visit. This yearly ritual is another part of summer. Before long we will ask ourselves where it went as time and the butterflies pass by - time to appreciate the milkweed.
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Waiting for the Butterflies
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Slow and Steady Progress
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2019 07-28, 4293 - SLOW AND STEADY PROGRESS – Some plants and shrubs take to being transplanted sooner than others such as lilacs and hydrangeas. Some people seem to make strides in life faster than others. Our hydrangeas started out slow and are making steady progress, stay the course.
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2019 07-27, 4292 - A FUTURE SNEEZE – As I passed by the stems of grass ready to release their seeds into the air, I saw potential sneezes for allergy suffers. It is an illustration of how each of us is affected differently by the Nature of life.
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Future Sneeze
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The Brown Eyes Are Watching
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2019 07-26, 4291 - THE BROWN EYES ARE WATCHING - I often feel that Nature is watching me as I wander the land, and this time of year it is easy to spot the brown-eyed-susans in the Lupine Field as I pass by. I am grateful they are there to add color as they watch over the landscape.
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2019 07-25, 4290 - THE BANE OF THE GARDEN – I read in a flower garden book years ago that the author did not care for orange daylilies. He labeled them the “bane of the garden”. I don’t feel that way and look forward to them each summer. It is interesting how people view life.
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The Bane of the Garden
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Double Mock Orange
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2019 07-24, 4289 - DOUBLE MOCK ORANGE – There is a double mock orange growing on the property in a place where my wife doesn’t want it. She keeps cutting it down, and it keeps growing back. Right now it is in full bloom and beautiful. Often persistence is the key to success.
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2019 07-23, 4288 - A HIDDEN ROSE – I knew that there was a rose bush growing in a portion of the garden that had fallen into neglect. As my eyes searched through the tangle, I found a single rose blossom. People have hidden qualities that often disappear and are overlooked in the tangle of life.
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A Hidden Rose
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Many Different Sizes
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2019 07-22, 4287 - FLOWERS COME IN MANY DIFFERENT SIZES – I was reminded when I discovered some yellow flowers in the ground cover behind the Center, how many different beautiful sizes that Nature provides. The same thing is true in all aspects of life, including people.
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2019 07-21, 4286 - NATURE IN PUBLIC SPACES – Here in Madison NH we are fortunate to have a Garden Club that creates beautiful gardens in public spaces throughout the town. They help bring Nature into the community, giving those that take the time to appreciate, a wonderful gift.
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Nature in Public Places
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Another Royal
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2019 07-20, 4285 - ANOTHER ROYAL – As the last of the lupine blossoms fade away, another wildflower has popped up. The crown vetch provides splashes of blue to bring pleasure to the eyes. My part in all of this is to mow every fall to help Nature prepare for the next year.
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2019 07-19, 4284 – SUNSHINE IN A FLOWER – The bright yellow flowers that have spread across the Lupine Field look as if they all are filled with the sun. Their warm glow greats me and my heart is filled with gratitude, just as the sun fills the flowers.
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Sunshine in a Flower
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Nature's Illustions
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2019 07-18, 4283 – NATURE’S ILLUSIONS – My eyes caught a shimmering sight as I looked out the window towards the brook. The sun was reflecting the motion of the moving water into the bark of a tree creating the illusion that there was a waterfall coming down the tree. Nature and my mind played a trick.
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2019 07-17, 4282 – THE STUDY OF WILDFLOWERS – Wildflowers have been the subjects of books, poems, and greeting cards. You can even dry and preserve them. I choose to study them with my camera, usually discovering something new and special.
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The Study of Wildflowers
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Discoveries Worth Waiting For
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2019 07-16, 4281 - DISCOVERIES WORTH WAITING FOR – Finally it dried out enough this summer for us to take our first trip down Carter’s Cut. Rounding a bend, we discovered a beautiful patch of foxgloves. I paused to photograph this beautiful scene, grateful for an unexpected find.
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2019 07-15, 4280 - CLEARING A BLOCKAGE – The old spruce tree in the middle of Kyle’s Trail finally blew over in a winter storm causing a large blockage interrupting the path to the Lupine Field. I finally had time with the help of my chainsaw to systematically clear the trail just as I do when needed in life.
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Clearing a Blockage
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Summer Wildflowers
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2019 07-14, 4279 - SUMMER WILDFLOWERS – When the Lupine Field was first created, it began with raw earth that was seeded to grass, clover, and of course, lupine with a wildflower mix added in. Now, several years later, the field is brimming with wildflowers creating a beautiful relaxing place in Nature.
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2019 07-13, 4278 - SWEET DELICACIES – The wild strawberries are now gracing the field with their red colors. They are such a sweet delicacy, and I can remember when it was easy for me to bend over picking them for hours to get enough for wild strawberry shortcake. Now I just sample a few, leaving the rest for the birds.
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Sweet Delicacies
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Daisies and Pink Clover
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2019 07-12, 4277 - DAISES AND PINK CLOVER – The photo looked as if I was floating through a field of white daises and pink clover. Actually, even though my feet were on the ground, my mind was soaring through space and time. No matter what the season, the Lupine field lets my mind soar.
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2019 07-11, 4276 - IMAGES IN THE BARK – Once again my gaze was drawn to the bark of a tree where I focused on the image of an animal. It is an activity I do fairly often, as it gives my mind the opportunity to imagine and wonder how Nature came up with the design.
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Images in the Bark
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An Expensive Lunch
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2019 07-10, 4275 - AN EXPENSIVE LUNCH – The new septic system is complete, and the ground is planted with grass seed. There in the middle of this investment three large turkeys stopped by to have lunch. I wondered how much their meal cost us. A sense of humor is a necessity living in Nature.
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2019 07-09, 4274 - REPURPOSING – I enjoy finding new places for items that have outgrown their usefulness. So it was with three dump truck loads of rocks dug out of the land when replacing our septic system. The rocks were reused as fill to help make room for parking spaces.
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Repurposing
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The Foxes Are Loose
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2019 07-08, 4273 - THE FOXES ARE LOOSE – The beautiful foxgloves are now roaming free on the mountainside. They cast their seeds in the wind to take root wherever they wish. We have the same opportunity with our soul’s spirit to let our positive ideas roam free.
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2019 07-07, 4272 - NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART – I watched as the limb of a tree close to the house was trimmed by a climber tethered to a rope. The job was not for the faint of heart. Then again, there are many things along our path of life that take courage to take the risk of succeeding.
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Not for the Faint of Heart
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Keeping Memories Alive
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2019 07-06, 4271 - KEEPING MEMORIES ALIVE - I have become aware over the years that listeners to this podcast often remember events in their own lives with fond recollections. The plants that came from my mother’s gardens serve to remind me of positive experiences from the past.
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2019 07-05, 4270 - PROOF THAT SEEDS SPREAD – I am grateful that the seeds from flowers I transplanted years ago have spread throughout the portions of our un-mowed lawn. Seeds, including acts of kindness, do spread if we take the risk of planting them.
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Proof That Seeds Can Spread
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Hiding in the Field
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2019 07-04, 4269 - HIDING IN THE FIELD – As I progressed along the path around the Lupine Field, I caught a flash of bright pink. It was a tiny pink wildflowers hiding in the grass. I could have easily missed this hidden treasure if I wasn’t looking for the unexpected joys in Nature.
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2019 07-03, 4268 - KING OF THE COLORS – One of my favorite colors is the deep blue found in iris and sweet pea blooms. It is truly a royal color fit for royal flowers. It is also a wonderful opportunity as I look into the depth of a plant to pause and reflect on many things.
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King of the Colors
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Big Flower, Delicate Smell
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2019 07-02, 4267 - BIG FLOWER, DELICATE SMELL – I am always amazed by the large peony flower which has such a delicate smell. I recently enjoyed a walk where there were several of these plants in bloom. I paused to enjoy and be grateful.
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2019 07-01, 4266 - PASSING BY THE WINDOW – My wife made a photo collage of animals that passed by our window closest to the woods over the past few weeks. Most of them we did not realize had come that close to the house. There is a lot in life that is real but remains unseen.
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Passing by the Window
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