My moon obsession
The moon always captures my eye, and my camera. Sometimes I actually pull my car over, park and get out to stare at it for a few minutes. It’s there, calling, “Look. I’m still here. Still round, rocky and bright. I’ll be moving across the sky tonight, and I’ll look a little different tomorrow but I’m steady and predictable. Just notice me now and then. That’s all I ask. Goodnight.”
No more wandering
There were several points in the last few years when I thought I had found simplicity, at least for a moment. I came to the conclusion that there is no destination on this “road to simplicity.” There is only the awareness of being in a moment of simplicity.
So, I have argued with myself about whether or not to continue this blog. I’m no longer traveling, at least not in such a free-spirited, adventurous sort of way. Now travel is for specific purposes, like visiting relatives or getting children out of trouble. But, those are other stories, and not simple at all. “Life” is complicated. We have to deal with it. But we also have to balance the hard stuff with soft stuff. so….
I am coming to the conclusion that I will always be on the road to simplicity, because I look for simplicity. I see simple things, which frequently turn out to be quiet profound.
Like Fall colors.
Or a stunned woodpecker who just crashed into my door.
Or the ever-changing sky outside the window as I’m riding in the passenger seat.
So, I will revive this blog, with the intention of sharing my observations as a reminder to myself and anyone who needs reminding, that life is just a long chain of moments. That’s all. It ends when it ends. Our job is simply to be present as often as we can.
Dhalia’s last song
This dhalia seemed to call out to me as I shivered on the first cold morning of the season.
Meanwhile, back at the farm…
This is what a very productive garden looks like in September:
Bell Peppers.
Lots of bell peppers.
What do you do with Banana Peppers?
Oh well. Might as well just plant something else.
And the chickens peck away, creating their own zen moment.
Sunrise with Mom
So, I’m enjoying the first moments of light on this gorgeous August morning, and I see this mother and what appears to be her ten year old son heading down the beach. She’s walking; he’s running. They get in the middle of my photo opportunity. I get irritated, for a minute, then I decide to just go with it. Here’s the story I made up about them. Notice how he moves back and forth across each picture.
Come on Son, let’s go watch the sunrise. But Mom, I’m tired…I don’t wanna….Oh, OK. Can I bring my bucket?
Hey Mom, look at those sand crabs! Yeah, son, cool. Look at the sun peaking over the water there.
Uh-huh. Hey, here’s another crab hole. I want to dig him out!
He must be in the other hole…Look, son. Look at the light on the water!
Oh. Yeah, that’s nice Mom.
Hey, I just found an empty crab shell! Look Mom!…Yeah, nice son. Did you see that beautiful light shooting across the water right at you?
Wow! That’s beautiful Mom!…Can I get in the water now?
Mom: I love that boy!
The End.
Day one of the barefoot weekend.
Can I just sit here all day? Please?
Blooming
“And then the day came when the risk to remain in a tight bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” Anais Nin
on the road to simplicity 