Wrong Turns

Wrong turns can yield such fun surprises. 

Firsts and Lasts

Seasonal shifts. Always interesting...where and how the shifting signs appear. On a misty spring morning in Sandpoint, Idaho (above) the change seemed represented by firsts and lasts. The first boat to dock at the marina and the last goose out. 

Seasonal shifts. Fine prompters of appreciation, causing us to stop and take notice. Reminding us to breath deeply of the now crisp air. We were greeted with a temp of 34 degrees this morning. Soon the deep breaths will flow more freely indoors while outdoors takes a rest.

Transitions. Markers. Seasonal shifts.

Handmade Papers

Inside the home of colorful pots (see earlier image) lives, among other things, an ever changing selection of handmade papers. Imagination ticklers, these. It could be interesting, following the travels of one sheet, beginning to end. Of course that would mean picking one to follow first. Now there is the hard bit. Hmmm.

Nothing Feels More Welcoming

Must do projects fill the morning, 

but my mind is filled
with old doors and favorite places.

Nothing feels more welcoming to me than

going through doors worn by time 

and crossing the thresholds thousands of
feet have crossed before mine.

Certainly this threshold has seen far fewer
entrants, but that door.
Oh yeah, that door. 

A Warm Summer Stroll

It "seems" schedules are calming and I may have a chance to bring Sea Mist and Sunsets back into my circle of activities. Unfortunately, that sounds like a repetition of phrases uttered here a good deal this year. I'm not sure about the rest of you but, when I am swamped the creative side of my brain slows to a grinding halt. This seems a good time to oil my mental gears and get things moving again. Slowly at first. No doubt I'll gain momentum. Who can resist falls dance through the Northwest and soft camera callings.

The image above was taken during a warm summer stroll in Sequim, WA with a dear friend. Sequim is the home of the lavender fields shown in earlier posts. 

Green Chili Chasing

It has been cold/flu time at our Casa for awhile now. After trying to go back to work yesterday, my hacking cough gave everyone there the willies, so I headed to the doc and then back to said Casa. As I was driving up to the mail box I was thinking; what I need is a good spicy meal (or ten) in New Mexico to show these germs the door. Based on my previous research, it works. So, as I was mulling over some of my favorite NM haunts for restorative meals, what do you think tumbled out of our mailbox? A beautiful post card from NM sent by dear friends who are midway through a vacation there. 

They are on a green chili mission and knew we would appreciate hearing about it. Well, they are visiting the land and people they love as well, but Oh that chili! Green chili chasing is not to be taken lightly. It may not be as difficult as the pilgrimages made to El Santuario de Chimayo each Easter but...it is a journey of devotion. Of course our friends couldn't know how perfect their postcard's arrival time would be, nor did we know of their NM journey. I love serendipity.

For the record, the selection of ground chilies found at the store in Chimayo in the fall are excellent. Wonderfully flavorful. From a germ chasing perspective, chili isn't the ONLY NM elixir. For instance, if I were sitting in Taos at the Apple Tree restaurant right now, having a bowl of their Fall Pumpkin Soup, I'm fairly certain I would be well by morning. 

The photo above was taken on one of the "skirt around the center of town traffic" roads in Taos. In the fall. Probably on our way to eat something green or red.

Grace In Motion

There are things in life that seem to exemplify grace in motion to me. You have yours as well, I have no doubt. In the marvelous and magical animal kingdom, my favorites dwell. Their carriage often defying their shapes and loads. Swans, giraffes, horses, elk and big cats have much to teach of pace and patience. Observing their slow flowing passage rests the heart...and fills it as well.