Sunday Dinner: Gratitude

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Verbena ‘Lollipop’ at the Heath family’s garden in Gloucester.

~

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy;

they are the charming gardeners

who make our souls blossom.”

.

Marcel Proust

~

~

“Beauty is not who you are on the outside,

it is the wisdom and time you gave away

to save another struggling soul, like you.”

.

Shannon L. Alder

~

Alliums with Iris, Gloucester, VA

~

“I believe that what we become

depends on what our fathers teach us

at odd moments, when they aren’t trying to teach us.

We are formed by little scraps of wisdom.”

.

Umberto Eco

~

Allium in our Forest Garden

~

“In the end, though, maybe we must all give up

trying to pay back the people in this world

who sustain our lives.

In the end, maybe it’s wiser to surrender

before the miraculous scope of human generosity

and to just keep saying thank you,

forever and sincerely,

for as long as we have voices.”

.

Elizabeth Gilbert

~

The rare daylily left ungrazed to bloom in our garden; for which we are most grateful!

~

Photos by Woodland Gnome 2016

With love and appreciation to all of those Fathers

who give of themselves so generously

to make this a more beautiful and more loving world for all.

~

Zantedeschia aethiopica in our Forest Garden

~

“You pray in your distress and in your need;

would that you might pray also

in the fullness of your joy

and in your days of abundance.”

.

Kahlil Gibran

~

 

Silent Sunday: Blooming

 

~

“If you feel lost, disappointed, hesitant, or weak,

return to yourself, to who you are, here and now

and when you get there,

you will discover yourself, like a lotus flower in full bloom,

even in a muddy pond, beautiful and strong.”

.

Masaru Emoto, Secret Life of Water

~

~

“Solitude is the soil

in which genius is planted, creativity grows,

and legends bloom;

faith in oneself is the rain

that cultivates a hero to endure the storm,

and bare the genesis of a new world, a new forest.”

.

Mike Norton,

~

 

~

“Love yourself, even a little bit each day,

and your life will bloom into infinite joy.”

.

Amy Leigh Mercree

~

 

~

Photos by Woodland Gnome 2015

~

One Word Photo Challenge: White

Pitcher plant, Sarracenia leucophylla, native to the Southeastern United States

White,

All colors of light

Joined together in clear unity.

Yucca in bloom

Reflective, cool, at peace with itself;

Serene white beckons

with a promise of rest and respite.

Oregano, Kent’s Beauty

 

Bleached and clean,

Crisp or crinkled,

White linen putting a good face on

whatever may live  beneath.

Creamy white ice cream melting on pie,

Creamy white paint on porches,

Cream swirls in Cappuccino and Gazpatcho;

Creme fraiche on chocolate Creme brulee.

White shells ornament the sands of memory

Like bright white stars piercing an indigo sky,

Time travelers from other worlds;

Messengers of possibilities unknown.

Great white brothers and sisters

Offering Pleaidian promises of

Eventual evolution and peace.

Queen Anne’s Lace

-White-

 

Lacecap Hydrangea

 

Words and Photos by Woodland Gnome 2014

With Thanks to Jennifer Nichole Wells for her One World Photo Challenge:  White

Families Flock Together For Father’s Day

Canada Geese gathered on the bank of the James River today.

Families are flocking together here in Williamsburg to celebrate one of the most enjoyable holiday weekends all year.

At the beginning of summer, with all of the commencements, graduations, and “moving up” ceremonies complete, there is a communal sigh of relief to have made it to summer vacation time once again.

A few weeks break in the break-neck schedule most families keep is a welcome respite.

Wildflowers at the end of DoG St. in Colonial Williamsburg this afternoon.

Finally, a little unstructured time to enjoy the pleasures of summer:  cookouts, fishing, afternoons of swimming and catching the sun on a peaceful beach somewhere.

And our beloved Colonial Parkway was nearly bumper to bumper with visitors today enjoying this cool, sunny June Saturday together.

Happy Father’s Day to all of you who offer strength and guidance to the young folks in your life. 

Near the Colonial Capitol

There is no substitute for a wise and loving Dad in one’s life, no matter how old or young we find ourselves.

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend with someone you love!

Daylilies in bloom for Father’s Day weekend in Virginia.

Photos by Woodland Gnome 2014