MY BEAUTIFUL JULY OHIO ...

Despite the need for rain, these recent days have loveliness...

Blue skies rise along horizons lined with all the drama of a multiplicity of stacked white clouds that bear the look of mesas, buttes and western rock formations...

Freshening breezes gently sway the trees against the sky, like lazy brooms...
 
Birds of local species soar and sing along our rolling hills and valleys...

Flowers make our homestead gardens festive, and wildflowers add their sturdy colors to the roadsides ant the open pastures...

That and more! My northeast Ohio at its best!

WHEN MY SPIRIT NEEDS RESTORING, I TAKE A LITTLE RIDE THROUGH SUMMERTIME OHIO!

THE CREEK CAN BRING PEACE ...

   Oh the peace of June mornings. I sometimes step onto the broad path at the edge of the woods that lead down to the barn. 
   Here the woodland is greatly softened by a lush understory of greenery, and I can sit on a bench or stand and admire the thickness of tree trunks that rise like dark Druids around me. 
   It's quiet here too at the end of the day, and I remember how my Bob used to like sitting then on a small concrete bench, watching the sunset reflect its colors into the upstream waters of the creek. 
   Nothing brought more peace to his spirit then sitting there for awhile, he would tell me, and I share that feeling.   

    After quiet time at the creek, I stroll back to the house, more than ready for the easy sleep that will prepare me for tomorrow. 
     And so, goodnight to all; I will be rising at dawn, as I usually do, to greet the new day.

REQUIEM FOR A WOOD THRUSH ...

MR. WOOD THRUSH WITH HIS SPRING-TIME NESTLINGS

        This is the first time you have been around my house and woodland. I've loved you since the first I heard your song. It echoed so melodious and rich throughout the valley as I walked to watch the sun rise.

      At first I couldn't spot you, then I realized you sang from the very top of the tall tree I often lean on as I watch the rising sun. Some people have said you have the finest voice among the songbirds; now I say that too.

         You greeted me with song at sunrise and again at sunset, every day. One morning I watched as you and the resident wren---who lives on my porch rent-free---foraged on opposite ends of my porch-side garden. And then you two engaged in your own spirited avian version of "Dueling Voices." I enjoyed that!

         Yesterday you flew so fast down from your tree-top to my porch; you collided hard; and you lay very still, I lifted you to a shady corner of the porch, in case you would come to. But no ...

         I will miss you and your songs. For me, your visit was a rare one, and if I never host another wood thrush, I'll remember and appreciate your visit.

MORNING UNDER THE OLD WALNUT TREE ...

DAWN THIS MORNING was golden-bright; the new day GLEAMED! 

I walked down a path in the woods, toward the creek and Bob's barn, to visit this great tree--an old black walnut tree, always loved by me, Bob & the Big Dog Jack!

I leaned against the tree's broad trunk, and looking up through its long branches, I watched the deepening of blue sky and the rising of the creek-born morning mist.

AH, MORNING! For me, it's the best part of the day.  Especially this time of year!

ADMIRING ONE FACE OF APRIL ...

THIS IS BUT ONE FACE OF APRIL, APPEARING BEFORE ME THIS MORNING.

HOW LONG IT WILL CHOOSE TO STAY IN MY VIEW,  I CANNOT POSSIBLY KNOW. 

FOR THESE MOMENTS, AT LEAST, I INHALE ITS BEAUTY INTO MY MOOD, 

AND MY SPIRIT EXISTS WITH THE TREES AND THE SKIES

AND IGNORES THE MUD AT MY FEET.