Today I walked down into the park and meandered along Piney Creek,
even though the sky threatened rain, the wind was rising, and the temperature falling.
It had been so long since I visited my favorite trees and parts of the creek ~
not since October 20th last fall, surely a record absence for me.
The City Park Beckons
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 27, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
"My" Middle Pond
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 27, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
The landscape is slowly waking from its winter sleep,
still drowsy in its dormant shades of taupe.
Blades of young grass and the occasional brave and perky dandelion clump
poke through, a promise vibrancy to come.
Blades of Green Grass
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 27, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Perky Dandelions
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 27, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
between winter and spring, but to me it is a riot of forms and textures and quiet surprises.
Pause Between Winter and Spring ~ #1
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 27, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
A Quiet Surprise, One Curly Eyebrow of Blue Grama Grass,
Bouteloua gracilis, among Dead, Dried Flowers
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 27, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Ready for Occupancy ~ Corrugated Architecture
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 27, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Purpose Fulfilled
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 27, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Pause Between Winter and Spring ~ #2
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 27, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Walking along Piney Creek Creek today filled me with peace and hope,
two feelings I need to sustain myself when the world feels increasingly dark and dangerous.
When Covid first struck over two years ago we were lifted up
by selfless heroes and a sense of togetherness.
Those feelings seem naive now.
But I stumbled across a reminder of that time of encouragement
when we tried to buoy each other: a painted rock now tossed from the path.
And I remembered that hope and peace can appear suddenly and in unexpected places.
Peace Be with You!
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 27, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
I wanted to walk longer and revisit more favorite places in the park,
but the wind turned squally and cold and rain began to sprinkle.
Time to dash for my car, fingers crossed that the dark skies wouldn't release a downpour.
Somber Skies
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 27, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 27, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Stipples of Rain Mean It's Time to Run!
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 27, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
As I walked along Piney Creek, one of the gentlest protest songs
from almost a half century ago was running through my mind:
What Have They Done to the Rain?
Gentle in melody, plaintive in lyrics, smoke referencing Strontium-90 in the air,
Malvina Reynolds' song pops up in my memories at unexpected times.
It's severely dry here. Climate change is likely to blame.
And I can't help thinking What have we done to our rain?
Originally the song was a protest against above ground nuclear testing.
I hope we can retreat from the brink of our current and unlooked for nuclear threat.
The environment is struggling enough without having to worry about radioactive rain again.
Yes, struggling and worrying, because the environment may be intrinsically conscious.
What Have They Done to the Rain ~ The Searchers
A Burst of Hope Near My Front Door
as I Arrived Home
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 27, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Wishing you peace and hope and rain to make spring bloom.
*********
Months ago I was participating in my friend Rain's Thursday Art Date,
but circumstances forced me to put that aside.
Today I'm joining in again for her theme Leaves and Branches.
Here are three photos for the prompt:
Leaves (Dead and Baby-new) and Branches #1
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 27, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Leaves (Dead and Duckweed) and Branches (Reeds) #2
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 27, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Leaves and Branches (and Blossoms) #3
Aurora, Colorado, USA
April 27, 2022
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
I'll be back on Wednesday, May 4th for Insecure Writer's Support Day.
If you haven't visited this critically-recognized site for writers, I invite you to do so.
Its purpose is to share and to encourage.
Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak.
Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance.
It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
(The home page for the IWSG: https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com )
This Wednesday members have the option of answering this question in their posts:
It's the best of times; it's the worst of times. What are your writer highs (the good times)? And what are your writer lows (the crappy times)?
(The sign-up page for the IWSG Blog with a list of blogging members:
Stay hopeful and creative!
Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
On the Bay of Fundy
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Thank you so much for this beautiful, meaningful post. How I wish that our species learned its lessons better - and retained them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, EC! I keenly feel the same way. Take care, my friend!
DeleteI am trying again. I think blogger ate my last comment.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this beautiful thoughtful post.
How I wish our species was quicker to learn from our mistakes - and that those lessons stuck.
Perfect post for Rain's TAD! "Stay hopeful and creative" -- what a beautiful sign off!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debra! Hugs to you, my friend!
DeleteGorgeous photography of nature's gems ~ Xo
ReplyDeleteWishing you love and laughter in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Thanks, Carol! We all need more love and laughter. Have a lovely weekend.
DeleteHi Louise, sorry I am late visiting, I am just slow getting things done just now! Your photos are so beautiful and peaceful . We so need peace just now. I love the time of transition between winter and spring, I like to walk around to find the first signs of new life and the first flowers . Have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteHugs back at you, Valerie! Thank you for your kind words. I'm still making the rounds myself. Have a restful and happy weekend!
DeleteAn exquisite collection of photos.
ReplyDeleteIt is very dry here as well, but we are happy to have had some good rain in April. It didn't put a significant dent into the drought, but I welcome every drop of rain.
I, too, welcome every drop of rain, although I prefer my precipitation in the form of snow. Thanks for your kind comment!
Delete...yes, you still need some greening. Thanks for the Searchers, I haven't heard that one in years! Take care and stay well.
ReplyDeleteYou, too, Tom!
DeleteLooks like a great area you live in, although it seems that Mother and Father Nature there seem to be a bit gloomy in the pics.
ReplyDeleteHi, G.B.! Yes, gloomy, for sure. But I believe there is beauty in nature in all its moods. Have a happy weekend!
DeleteLovely leaves for Rain's Art Date and enjoyed your walk too.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christine! Wishing you all the best!
DeleteA lovely walk. I have no doubt I would have enjoyed it. It is painful to contemplate that simple pleasures like this are no longer an option for the beleaguered people of Ukraine.
ReplyDeleteI agree, David. What the Ukrainians are experiencing is horrible, from losing simple pleasures to their lives. I hope you enjoy some simple pleasures this weekend.
DeleteHi Louise, you are a good photographer. I like the picture of the dandelion. Many people think it is a weed, yet it is a medicine cabinet in itself as every part of it can be used for healing. I am reminded of the scripture 'The leaves are for the healing'. It is sad that the greenery has gone from many areas because of the climate change - not enough rain in many areas in the world..
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brenda! My new phone has lenses which really help me with my photography, especially given my current vision problems. Taking pictures is a great pleasure in my life, and I enjoy it when others like my photos. I love that I have a place where I can share them. I know that dandelions are medicinal, but I haven't worked up the courage to eat them ~ lol. I love dandelions. They are beautiful harbingers of spring. Have a lovely weekend!
DeleteNice photos. I love your views out there in Colorado. You have some interesting trees. Thanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for returning the visit, Erika! Have a good one!
DeleteOnly the deepest thinkers and artists have an appreciation for the forms and textures of nature which are often subtle while at the same time magnificent. Loved your post ... all of it. I missed your thoughtful contributions to Rain's TAD. So glad you decided to stop in. By the way, I had a friend who lived and Aurora, Colorado and I have visited her there, though it was so long ago that I don't remember much about it. She now lives in Texas, so little chance of going back. Welcome back Fundy Blue :)
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
Thanks for your kind words, Andrea! I had to take a break for medical reasons, but I'm doing a lot better now. It felt really good to see you and the others participating in Rain's TAD again. It's really cool that you've been to Aurora. Aurora has exploded in size in the last two decades. You would be amazed, even if you couldn't remember it. Take care!
DeleteLouise bravo to that burst of hope. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteHappy you dropped by my blog.
Much💛love
Thanks, Gillena! I'm always amazed at the talented artists participating in Rain's TAD! It was great to visit everyone's blogs again. 🥰❤️
DeleteWhat gorgeous photos and in every way. I'm so delighted to "meet" you and thanks for coming over to visit me at Marmelade Gypsy. When I saw your blog name I wondered if it was Bay of Fundy. Rick, my partner, has cycled around part of it and said it was one of his most memorable rides of all time. Until just yesterday, our world has been quite drab -- lots of new life but none of it particularly colorful. Today I've noticed some flowering trees and a smattering of green on the branches. One can hope spring has finally arrived.
ReplyDeleteHi, Jeanie! Thank you! Yes, "Fundy" comes from the Bay of Fundy. I'm a Nova Scotian by birth and have spent many, many happy days all up and down the Fundy shores. "Blue" comes from its sunny day shifting blues and my love of Blues music. Since I took those photos last Thursday, we actually had some snow here which turned into raw, cold rain. But today it is warming up again ~ I'm still waiting on flowers. Happy spring to you!
DeleteSure lots of great shots indeed. A lot can be found no matter the time of year if you are willing to look. Humans do have a short attention span. Can be all nicey nice for a bit, but it doesn't last that long as a whole. Hopefully no nuclear rain will come due. Climate change is bad enough at its current state indeed. Don't need any more.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat! And I hope with everything in me that no nuclear rain will come due. Take care, my friend!
DeleteThese images are gorgeous, Louise! What a lovely way to spend time. It's nice to be outdoors enjoying nature and all the beautiful scenery around us! Have a lovely rest of the weekend and a wonderful week ahead.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Martha! I spent a lot of the weekend under blankets near the fire because it was cold out. I saw my endocrinologist today, and I had really encouraging news about my thyroid! So, if things stay stable, maybe I can get my eyes treated in the early fall!!! Enjoy the rest of your week.
Deletelots of beautiful natureshots from you. Sharing the first signs of spring :)
ReplyDeleteLouise, that song is lovely. Your post is lovely! All of those beautiful spots to just enjoy and adore. I feel the same as you do, spring is not a drab time at all, there are little hints of colour and life to see, smell, hear and touch! I feel great hope every spring! As I look out my window, I see the red buds on the Maple trees, patched of dandelions and grass pushing up through the earth and leaves! ☺☺♥♥
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rain! It was the smell that got me today. I was going to pass on walking in the park because I was working on my IWSG post. But when I went out to get the mail, the air was laden with the fragrance of warming soil, new grass, and blooming trees. I dropped the mail, jumped in my car, and floored it for the park where I rambled upstream to the county line and back for an hour. Glorious! Now bring on the wildflowers! Hugs to you, my friend!
Deleteoh i am really happy dear Louise as you were able to take your favorite piney Creek walk after long time :)
ReplyDeletei can only imagine the joy and serenity you might have felt while walking among familiar views :) thank you so much for the virtual trip ,loved seeing how earth is getting ready to wear it's green lush outfit once again . we don't have white wash of the snow here and some portion of greenery and trees is always there to embrace but i think observing such intriguing and dramatic changes as you do there because of long snowy winters seems also amazing to me . What i loved most!!!!!!!! was the bunch of white flowers near you front door :) they are breathtaking and soothing !
unlike rain we have scorching sunlight who stop our mobility throughout the summers :( looking forward to visit Islamabad this June so we can take walks in Fatima Jinnah park everyday :)
wishing you peace ,health and joy each moment ! hugs and blessings!
I am glad that you enjoyed the photos, Baili! You look with interest at my familiar world which seems amazing to you, and I look at interest at your familiar world which seems amazing to me. That's part of the fun and learning which comes with being friends on opposite sides of the world. ❤️❤️❤️
Delete