bzzzzz...

on a spring day...

bees are buzzing!

happy day.....

seasons come...

...and seasons go

... spring, summer, winter, fall... i enjoy them all, really -  i think spring and fall are my most favorite... it's just that as i grow older, they seem to come around more and more quickly now... when i was a kid, i thought i had so much time - for everything - to get tasks done, to play, to relax, for school (then), whatever the case was or i'd get to it tomorrow... now my tomorrows all run together and before i know it, weeks have passed me by...  exactly, how does that happen?  it simply mystifies me...

but all seasons signify a passing - of things that were and things that are to come... what we have to look forward to... for me that equals some excitement - a beckoning to the day...  fall provides an opportunity for reflection as colors burst forth and the earth prepares for winter - hunkering down - protecting and shielding natures creatures from the harsh cold, and brutalities which may hit... with spring bringing new life, harvest and a multitude of fresh growth and greenery that surpasses belief... each renewing a sense of wonder - a delight with awe in the surroundings in which we live... i'm not sure i could live in a place without being able to relish each individual season - i may get fussy during some, like in the midst of intense summertime heat - but i'd be hard pressed to do without...

so now - as i noticed this tree... already clearly reflecting the summer season coming to a quick end -

i'm beginning to miss the heat... okay, perhaps not... and looking forward to those wonderfully cooler temps that lead to sweater weather - yay!  you know what i'm talking about... pulling on a hoodie with a pair of shorts to go tromping around town... a little jacket over that dress... wearing layers - so much fun... of course, it has to be really cold, maybe with snow on the ground - before i'll give up wearing my flip flops... i'm just sayin'  - my toots do not look forward to being trapped in closed-toed shoes... i remain a die-hard regarding footwear... those winter months can really drag on - so i could be wearing those flips into december depending on the temps here... it's always like riding a roller coaster from one day to the next - so who knows... 

but i'm so grateful we're not static - have all the seasons to enjoy - the unending variety... each morning bringing a surprise of greeting to renew us - to refresh our spirits - give us energy...

happy day.....

peach fuzz...

sometimes we get peaches... sometimes not...

this year the tree produced flowers -

which the bees frequented on a very regular basis...  in the past, though, that never really mattered.  the old tree would appear to do all the right things - yet not produce any fruit at all...leaving us to ponder what had happened.  did it get lazy... decide that was a year it didn't feel like putting forth the effort - boy can i relate to that one - or the weather conditions weren't exactly right?  whatever the case, nature always rules when it comes to fruit trees - there is no second guessing.  either there's either, or not.

well... lo and behold - all systems are a go for this year.  the weather did what it needed to do... the bees were busy for a good cause - the flower petals dropped - and soon thereafter...

little peach pits appeared on the tree - in the leaves - on the branches... and i thought... "whoo-hoo... we're having a peach crop this year!"  then the other day, i saw this -

will you just look at the size of those?  in a mere matter of a week - they've grown about twice their size!  holy moley people... we're going to have record sized peaches this year!  already, the tree limbs are hanging low due to the sheer weight - as the tree is simply loaded with peaches - the crop is going to be huge...

i see many a night of harvesting coming up the end of summer - possibly some canning... yup, the making of peach jams, butter, salsa, cobblers... while also having the luxury of picking a peach, biting into it - with juices dripping down my arms.  of course, there's the wonderful enjoyment of inviting friends, neighbors and others to come take delight in the harvest, too  - for there will be plenty to share - which brings the greatest joy of all...

happy day.....

teardrop of ice...

...on the evergreen tree 

a special little teardrop of ice in the backyard... leftover from the snow we had the other day... a tiny thing hanging amidst the evergreen branches all alone,  perfectly balanced - with mini bubbles of air inside... how cool is that? just for me to see... relish in its perfect oval of beauty... realizing it is magnified here - in reality perhaps a 1/10 of an inch in size - a remarkable dot of ice...

and a whole other world captured in this tiny drop of ice, too - reflections of color caught by the sun... be astounded at its ability to remain on the tree after all this time... and through much wind.  i snapped - saying thank you to the little drop for staying around for me... grateful to have experienced another wonder of nature.

happy day.....

the glory of trees

trees...  full of wisdom - life - energy...  good for the planet!

i have always had a love of trees for these reasons and many more... they fascinate me - with their outstretched branches - providing a hideaway... protection from the elements... giving resources to us.  in that light - i've taken to doing some work with them.  the really nice thing about tree portraits, if you will, is that trees won't run away from you - they don't talk back - there's no attitude to deal with...  and they remain standing where you want them to while you fiddle with settings and such.

enjoy the trees - the sheer glory of them...

happy day.....