Monarch Wings

Wherever we are, it is but a stage on the way to somewhere else, and whatever we do, however well we do it, it is only apreparation to do something else that shall be different.
 ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
 

A Resting Ruby

Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling. 
Margaret Lee Runbeck
 

Savour The Delight

Let us savour the swift delights of the most beautiful of our days!
~Alphonse de Lamartine

Large Wood Nymph

Light tomorrow with today.
 ~Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Thanks to Joan at Appalachian Journal for the ID on this butterfly.

Sacred Moments

We inhabit ourselves without valuing ourselves, unable to see that
here, now, this very moment is sacred;
but once it's gone - its value is incontestable.

~Joyce Carol Oates
Oh, I am sooooo trying to value every moment!

Eden Is Right Outside

Eden is that old-fashioned house we dwell in every day
Without suspecting our abode, until we drive away.
~Emily Dickinson

Summer Yearning

The pure, the beautiful, the bright,
That stirred our hearts in youth,
The impulse to a wordless prayer,
The dreams of love and truth,
The longings after something lost,
The spirit's yearning cry,
The strivings after better hopes,
These things can never die.
~Sarah Doudney

Doing Our Best

 

A Most Awesome Morning

 I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple
things of life which are the real ones after all.
~Laura Ingalls Wilder

A Bench for Friday

A few weeks ago my hubby and I visited Natural Bridge. The
stairs leading down to the bridge were quite steep...which wasn't
a problem when you are going down....but coming up was another
story entirely! This was a welcome bench along the way!

For those of you who love benches - visit RuneE at:

http://visualnorway.blogspot.com/
Why not join in and post a bench on Friday....or any other day of the week.
Leave me a comment and let me know so I can see what kind of benches
you have in your neck of the woods!
And for a benches only blog visit:
http://fortheloveofbenchescontinued.blogspot.com/

My quote for today:
"I have found that if you love life, life will love you back."
~Arthur Rubinstein

Thoughts

Webs Over the Pond

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadows.
~Helen Keller

Just a Sip

What we see depends mainly on what we look for. 
~John Lubbock

After the Rain - Hummingbird Moth

I found a nice surprise on my deck after a brief rain.....

A Hummingbird Moth. 
These creatures are quite interesting!

I LOVE their wings! 

A Bench for Friday

I guess this really isn't a bench...it's more like a picnic table.
I really like the round style!!
This was on the deck at the Veritas winery we visited last weekend.

And for more benches...visit RuneE at:
http://visualnorway.blogspot.com/
Why not join in and post a bench on Friday....or any other day of the week.
Leave me a comment and let me know so I can see what kind of benches
you have in your neck of the woods!

And for a benches only blog visit:
http://fortheloveofbenchescontinued.blogspot.com/

Happy Friday Everyone!!

Todays' Flowers - Milkweed

There is an abundance of Milkweed in our area.
Whenever I see milkweed, I'm sure to see butterflies, bees and bugs!
It's great for photo ops.

To see flowers from all over the world visit Today's Flowers here.
Happy Monday!

Natural Bridge

During one of our "Stay-cations" Hubby and I did a bit of semi-local
sight seeing. We visited 6 wineries and a brewery located
around Afton Virginia in Nelson county.
And we couldn't pass up Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County.
I was quite impressed by its size. It is 215 feet high!

A Bench for Friday...and a Hike

RuneE at
http://visualnorway.blogspot.com/
has started posting benches on Friday. I decided to join him!
This is a bench along a trail that Hubby and I hiked on Thursday. There are
many of these benches spread out along the trail...which was QUITE ROCKY.
It was lovely being outside and enjoying nature!

On our left was Stony Creek...and there were LOTS of rocks in it too.

We had a wonderful day!
Hope Everyone has a Happy Friday.

Dragons Don't Scare Me Anymore

Practicing with the Macro Lens.

As a child I was really scared of dragonflies.
Now I see nothing but beauty! They are such unique creatures!

The best way to gain self-confidence is to do what you are afraid to do. 

~ Swati Sharma

Abbott Lake at Peaks of Otter

One Sunday, Hubby and I visited another spot on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The Peaks of Otter. This is take from Abbott Lake looking toward
Sharp Top Mountain - elevation 3862 ft.
For more info on Peaks of Otter:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peaks_of_Otter

There is a one mile hiking trail around the Lake.

A view from the hiking trail.

At the end of the trail, a wonderful bench to
sit on and take in all of the beauty.

"Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by
going to fast - you also miss the sense of where
you are going and why."
~Eddie Cantor