Discovering Beauty in Everyday Life

Two travelling individuals share conversation around a kitchen table at an old hunting lodge.

See you soon!

I know there are thousands and thousands of beautiful trees full of fall colors, but I love my  very own New York Kentucky Coffee Tree.  If you don't yet have a tree of your own, you can share this one with me.    Beautiful New York  Kentucy Coffee Tree

If I were a leaf on a willow tree I’d grow long, I’d grow thin, I’d grow straight. Pliant and toothed and veined, I’d be With a bend and a brush and sshhhhoowishee sshhhoowee What a beautiful song I’d create. When it rained I’d lead those droplets down Along my center vein, I might let a drop hang on my tip for awhile While we’d conjure a simple refrain: Shhhhoowishha, shhhhoowisshha, shhhhooweee. I would drape and sway with my leaf-mates and limbs In a waterfall weeping with fractals and spray. While the raindrops pitter and daylight dims, We’ll settle and nestle and quietly say Sshhhooeeswish, shhhooeehush, shooeeay. Harlem Meer North, October

 There is nothing like a pink-leafed tree. Imagine! 

Chrysanthemum(chrysanthemum(chrysanthemum(chrysanthemum x chrysanthemum)))... Where did these chrysanthemums come from?  There was nothing but a few green sprigs just awhile ago, and now this?  It is completely impossible! Nothing has been added but a little time and sunlight (plus, I guess, some rain). Conservancy  Garden, October 2010

This wet and fizzy picture was taken by a very brave yet reality-challenged photographer, who did not fail to click the shutter, even while falling into the lily pond. Severely submerged, she still managed to retrieve the memory card from her soaked and dripping camera.  The sparrows remained calm.  Fortunately, several passersby were available to pull her out.  We are hoping for a total recovery of camera, photographer, waterproof backpack and self-confidence.  The Secret Garden, October 2010

It’s a day to recover and rally the troops, To lie fallow and wait while our system regroups. It’s a Sunday, a day to recoup and rely on our inner resources to strengthen the eye To remain at our best we need plenty of rest, So no blog until Monday, but don’t skip away! We’ll be back on the road, in the fold so to say, All happy and zesty and questy and blessed.

Click! Reblogged:Daily Pep Talk From A Best Friend Mean people have no power over you.

Londonplane, the oldest tree in the park, is slowly discarding it's summer leaves. North Bridle Path,, September

I echo the day that just passed this way, with a bounce and a sigh and a squeak. Thank goodness I say today wasted away, and we’re now at the end of the week. Be that as it may, it just doesn’t pay to be waiting around for a peek At the weekend to come when Friday’s not done, and the weather forecast is so bleak. This is not very deep but I must go to sleep; it’s time to roll up the day. I went here and there and every which where, and now I am hitting the hay!

This old tree looks very like Ironwood, an American  Hornbeam tree.  The leaves are alternately arranged, unlobed, toothed, and the sinewy bark looks strong and muscled.  What other tree would dare create an armchair limb at ground level?  Only a very strong tree would be brave enough for that. The best hint, though, is the demeanor. Ironwood appears to be looking soulfully around in a Chinese Shar Pei wrinkle-puppy way.  I thought the tree might be lonely for an arm-sitter until I understood; Ironwood is simply looking around for its new fall outfit. 

 This unwary individual is caught in a dreaded halloween web made from unknown forces, generated by scary beings.

Ivy and tree in league in Central Park South of Bethesda Fountain, October 2010

Glazed with fall, this delicate tree entices an early morning admirer. West of the Band shell, October 2010

Let’s burrow down among the grasses, Down below the frost line. I know a place where water drips into a hidden lake, Quiet as a plate, Edged with ragged strata, sliced by time. We’ll leave a scent to stain the way. No reason to get lost among the echoes. We’ll travel back among the hollowed reeds, And leave a trail of capillaries full of singing. Romeo and  Juliet, Delecorte Theatre October 2010

I’ll save some time for inter-global connectivity. I promise. Let’s see, we’ll pencil in a zone. I Promise. Vowels and consonants. Says who? Let’s pull up that stake and call it a day.  Beauty in the Conservancy Garden, October 2010

This perfect young specimen is having it's first Central Park fall.  If I were a guessing sort I'd call it Horse Chesnut.  We will definitely know in the Spring.

Leaf by leaf the master sorcerer leads us gently into fall

Look! There’s a painted leaf. Look! A gilded limb among the green ones. Fall, fall, the beauty of it all is so distracting! I ought to lean along the old fence of pale memories, But I am so excited! I ought to dwell among the flakes of old lost chances, But I just saw a woodpecker! I’m supposed to contemplate the decomposing ends of things, But I just remembered skipping! Oh dear, I’m at a loss of how to dread the days. My mind keeps slipping on a polished daydream, Straight to the crisply apple-buttered gourds; The red, ripe berries, Fresh tomatoes, corn and pumpkins, Pies and apples, tarty stuffing, That conscientious fall blue sky. Oh happy shining hair and denim, Oh fiery cheeks and a new wool scarf, Oh take me life, I am your sequin. Today, I can't remember how to grieve.

As we know, times are very difficult in the art worlds, even for Union Squirrels!  Squiva has begun giving theatre lessons to young and promising talents simply to make ends meet.  Although Maestro Squiva would not admit it, we think this student prodigy is Squivita l'Noir.  He (or she) is definitely a half-and-half.  Squiva, however, calls the young beauty Noirista.  The Maestro's training is totally evident, even if Squiva denies any genetic link. The beautifully curved tail  catching the sun, the shy three quarter demeanor, the casual, natural nibble on a nut--these choices are all Classic Squiva.  Norista in South Central Park, October 2010

Welcome to the bi-annual meeting of the Northeast Chapter of Mudpuddle Eradicators of America (MEA). As you know, we have invested extensively in new dirt delivery systems and other experimental mudpuddle eradication technologies. The return on these investments has been very promising. This recent photo shows the results of intensive land reconstruction around one of Central Park's most recalcitrant puddles. Notice the very dry dirt clearing behind the leaning tree. Clearly, progress has been made. Western Reservoir Path, October 2010

Gnarled wood, wet with fire, heart exposed at last. The Rambles, October 2010

Meet Speckle, our new photo model.  Speckle insists upon rehearsing for every shoot here at the Boathouse Cafe.  Speck claims he or she is simply practicing balancing on tricky surfaces and therefore requires these particular tables and chairs.  Although we have not yet caught Speckle in the act, we suspect the reason for choosing this locale is to maintain his or her beautiful breast by consuming pancake crumbs and home fries on the sly.  Central Park Boathouse, October 2010 photo ©dbrandon

This beautiful tree is doing tai chi to recover a sense of balance.  Tree recently lost most of its leaves, and must rebalance energies in mind, spirit and body. 

The London Plane Tree is often found sheltering imposter plants disguised as normal seedling branchlets.  This Great London Plane is actually an official foster tree.  The small foster plant was found as a young seed wafting in a nearby updraft. North Reservoir Path, October 2010

I have a bulb worth 40 watts, Paralyzed with light, Dim by any neon standard, Stark against my candle. I watch my hardy flame sway in the quiescent air, Capturing a passing flutter, Dancing with each transient flicker, Tuned by every muted string, Vibrant as a quiver. Me! Choose me! I can do it! I have a golden arrow, and I'll tie it with a string. Conservency Garden Fountain Candle, October 2010