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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

I was driving home from church a few days ago and found this tree right down the street from me. Its beauty stopped me. I pulled over on the side of the road hopped out and took this photo of the sun shinning brightly through its leaves. It was pleasant to feel the warmth on my face as I took this picture.


We are having an Indian Summer here..Many days have reached temperatures as high as the 80's.




















This second tree was out in the country.. Next to a cream colored home. The former owners use to raise sheep, and I miss their sweet little faces peeking through the fence.

I use to drive past there everyday just to look at them. They were so pretty.







This cottage was tucked into the woods a few miles away. The red roof beckoned me. It was a whitewashed stone cottage..

I wondered how long it had been there. How many lives had unfolded in its rooms?
How many lovers had made love in the bedrooms that overlooked a small lake beside it? I imagined the moon peeking through the windows at night casting long shadows of filtered light across the floors of this home in the woods.




The rays of the sun were so bright on this barn that it looked like the sun was casting silver light upon the roof..It was magnificent to look at in person..

I sat for a long while and just took in the surroundings.






This field was further down the road.
Golden fields of Soybeans getting ready to be harvested. I saw 5 coal black Ravens flying across this field. I tried to get a good picture of them but couldn't.

They were beautiful in their velvety blackness. And, with their wings stretched across the October sky reminded me Poe's Raven..













This field was about 3 miles from the first field. The farmers are making hay..I love the way it looks. So old fashioned.









My brother always called a perfectly cloudy day a Monet Sky.

It was definitely a Monet sky that day...



Many times John and I drove around out in the country looking for roads we had not explored. It was one of our favorite past times. Just driving and talking..

He loved this stretch of road. It has a field of cedars on the other side of it, and when the wind is blowing just right you can smell their scent waft across your face on hot Summer days..

The blackbirds love to make their nests among the cedars, as well as the Cardinals. Often fighting each other for territory.

We use to love to make up stories while driving around. We often had contests on who could make up the scariest stories..LoL

Some Saturdays when he didn't have to work, we drove all day long. We knew the back roads for 60 miles in every direction around us.




We had the dream to drive the Highways across the United States. Not the Interstate but the Highways..

There is something so deeply personal about a highway. Have you ever noticed that?

It is a slower pace. There are small cafes along the way. More scenery that you never see on an interstate. We often drove to a small city called Prairie De Roche. It has a fort there called Fort Chartres. One of the first forts that was ever built in America. It is a beautiful little town sitting on the Mississippi River.
They have a craft festival there every year. Our kids loved it.


This is a picture of a small creek a few miles from my home. I can sit on the bridge for a half hour and no one passes. In my mind I can Indians gathering water from this creek. Washing in this creek. It is buried in the woods like a green jewel. Its waters flowing and flowing to somewhere different. How I wish I could follow them.



I leave you with 2 favorite quotes:

What if you slept?
And what if in your sleep
you dreamed?
And what if
In your dream,
You went to Heaven
and there plucked
a strange and beautiful flower
And what if,
When you awoke,
You had the flower
In your hand?

Samuel Taylor Coleridge
(1772-1834)



In quietness and solitude lays our strength.
T.D. Jakes

Tonight's song, Boondocks by Little Big Town
1st video, 2 nd clip

20 comments:

Brenda said...

A beautiful post and wonderful walk down memory lane with you.

Robin said...

How sweet was that? Just a random act of kindness! I love what you did with the beads, the bracelets are beautiful!

Anonymous said...

I love the quotes and the pictures. The bracelets from the previous post are really nice. The way you tell memories, it's like reading a story. I hope you are doing well, I often think of you.

Laurie in Ca. said...

Thank you for inviting me into your beautiful world in this post Nita. I hope when you are there and taking these beautiful pictures, that your heart soars like mine does, knowing you are there. I am so glad to see you getting out and about and sharing it with us. I love your memories of laid back days and drives with John. We do this too, but not often enough as we used to. Thank you for reminding me of the beauty found off the beaten path. I wish I could be there with you during these times. I love you and pray that you are well.

Laurie in Ca.

Anonymous said...

I know your pain very well. I am hear for you if you would like me to be. I understand how hard it is with that mate. It's such a shock. It's been 4 yrs now for me.
If you want to talk more just let me know.

Debbie

Simply Shelley said...

Hi Nita,thanks for sharing a lovely post.....
The pictures are beautiful.
Blessings,Shelley

i said...

I love the pictures! Autumn sure is a lovely sight!

Annette said...

I'm here!!! what a lovely post, just like you, "LOVELY" I missed you dear friend, thought about you so much! Love to you....
Love, Me

~Red Tin Heart~ said...

Laurie: Thank you for the compliment. I am so glad you liked the photos. I wish you lived near me so we could go for rides together. There are amazing places here you would love. xoxo Nita

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

I adore the colors and light of autumn. Blessings to you, Nita.

kimberly said...

so beautiful, nita......what a wonderful "world" you live in....the colors, the changing seasons, the lush foliage, being able to just find the quiet so close.....someday i want to live in a world like that....away from the city....closer to nature and all it offers....but...i can hop in my car and find myself there in an hour or two....so, thank you for sharing your world today!
loved the photos and thoughts!
hugs and prayers,
kimberly

Joni said...

I love this post...I got lost in each picture, everything is so quiet and still...such a treasure. You live in such a unique, rustic location and I'm so happy you share it with us through your words, pictures, and memories. I have been so busy lately and it's catching up with me, so this is just where I needed to be for this moment. I think I could live in that little hidden white-washed cottage and be perfectly content.

Wishing you love in your day ~

Cami said...

Take my breath away... You sure did!

Mrs.Naz@BecomingMe said...

Beautiful post and quotes...I can feel your emotions through your words...love, peace...even some aching? You are precious.

Bethany said...

Beauty all around us...amazing how beautiful a simple day in the country can be. Like the changing of the leaves each year is still amazing to see!
I love all of your photos Nita :)

Sandi McBride said...

Nita, this is probably the most beautiful and UPLIFTING post you've created. Please, keep it up...you sounded wonderful!
Hugs
Sandi

Kelly said...

EverytimeI come by your way, I am captivated by the beauty & words of your blog! I see you have an Autumn heart like me!! The pictures are wonderful, love the first two with the trees. The trees here are changing but not very vibrant yet.
I am sure that will change soon. We have been having Indian summer days, and very cool nights.
Beautiful Autumn Blessings~KellY Maria

Natasha Burns said...

What a beautiful post Nita.
The colours of Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere are so amazing for me to see. The part of Australia I am from just doesn't get such vividness and brightness for some reason. I think it is not cold enough or something...
You paint a beautiful picture in my mind about travelling the highways and the joys you find along the way.
Thanks for visting me!
Natasha : )

Donna said...

How Beautiful!!!! Thanks sweetie!!hughugs

rivergardenstudio said...

Such lovely writing and photographs about this amazing season. I love how Autumn moves us so... Thank you! Roxanne

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I love beauty, whether it is in nature, literature or art. And I love music... My day feels incomplete if I haven't had a chance to listen to some good music.. I also love beautiful souls, and kind hearts.

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