Sly Eye Studios

Unexpected Purple

There, just behind the house they waited to be appreciated.

I love cemeteries as much as I love churches. There is something very spiritual that I feel when I visit them. I chose the wrong time recently as it was a very hot day. I found myself searching for trees to stand under and it is near there I found the most interest.

Song of the Flower ~ Kahlil Gibran

I am a kind word uttered and repeated
By the voice of Nature;
I am a star fallen from the
Blue tent upon the green carpet.
I am the daughter of the elements
With whom Winter conceived;
To whom Spring gave birth; I was
Reared in the lap of Summer and I
Slept in the bed of Autumn.

At dawn I unite with the breeze

To announce the coming of light;

At eventide I join the birds

In bidding the light farewell.

The plains are decorated with

My beautiful colors, and the air

Is scented with my fragrance.

As I embrace Slumber the eyes of

Night watch over me, and as I

Awaken I stare at the sun, which is

The only eye of the day.

I drink dew for wine, and hearken to

The voices of the birds, and dance

To the rhythmic swaying of the grass.

I am the lover's gift; I am the wedding wreath;

I am the memory of a moment of happiness;

I am the last gift of the living to the dead;

I am a part of joy and a part of sorrow.

But I look up high to see only the light,

And never look down to see my shadow.

This is wisdom which man must learn.

My Grandmother had a patch of yard next to her home where she grew flowers and fruits of all kinds. In particular, she loved roses. My mother inherited her mother's love of flowers and green thumb. Every home we ever owned eventually became a lush garden full of a variety of flowers and plants. Everywhere I go, they catch my eye.

The Walkabout

I think I'll go on a walkabout

And find out what it's all about - and that ain't hard

Just me and my own two feet

In the heat I've got myself to meet

A detective of perspective I

I need to try and get a bigger eye - open wide

bloodwood flowers in my gaze

walkabout in a sunny daze - do me now

On a walkabout

You could do it in the city

You could do it in a zone

You could do it in a desert

You could do the unknown

On a walkbout

High desert skies are what I spy

So fly - you've got to wonder why

The stingrays must be fat this year

Moving slow in my lowest gear

The digirido original man with a dream

I believe the Aborigine

On a walkabout

You could do it with a shuffle

You could do it with a stroll

You could do it with a stride

You could do the unknown

ON A WALKABOUT

A walk could cure most all my blues

bare feet or in my two shoes - 1, 2,

I think I'll go on a walkabout

Find out what it's all about - can't hurt to try

Use your legs to rock it wide

Take a ride to the other side

"Walkabout" by Red Hot Chili Peppers

What a month! I just returned from my summer trip to Colorado. What a difference a season makes. While I was able to revisit some of my favorite places, the summer weather allowed me to explore areas not accessible in winter. And I sure made the most of it!

Naturaly

I love living this close to the Everglades. No doubt I am a city girl but there is no place on earth where nature does not exist. Looking back now, I see how little I knew about the natural world and how infinite the lessons. From the many birds who provide song tracks to life to the most minute insects which can only be seen through a zoom lens, they are always a joy to experience.

Truth be told, it is the dragonflies that seem to escort me everywhere. They are so very curious and fearless. I will devote another post to them, my favorite of all my yard friends.

Iridescent Clouds

I forced my sister to pull over several times so I could capture these clouds which had formed in an otherwise clear sky. They were truly beautiful.

The photo won mention and a lot of curiosity from a small photography contest. A link led to an association who published the photo with a great explanation of its origins.

Many thanks to Les Cowley of Atmospheric Optics.