Lake

“A lake is a landscape's 

most beautiful and expressive feature. 

It is Earth's eye; 

looking into which the beholder 

measures the depth of his own nature.”

--Henry David Thoreau, Walden

Taken Christmas Day, it was a good day for a walk with the puppy!

Pelicans

American White Pelican

Tree

For in the true nature of things, 

if we rightly consider, 

every green tree is far more glorious 

than if it were made of gold and silver.  

~Martin Luther

(Wouldn't you just love to climb this tree?!?!)

Reflection

 Reflection

Sky

Sky

The sky is the part of creation 

in which nature has done 

for the sake of pleasing man.  

~John Ruskin

The Lake

The Lake

 Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.  

~Wallace Stevens

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!

from Linda and Sadie

Dogs are not our whole life, 

but they make our lives whole.  

~Roger Caras

Nature's Peace

Nature's Peace

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.  

Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  

The winds will blow their own freshness into you, 

and the storms their energy, 

while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.  

~John Muir

Waiting

Waiting for Something

(Not sure why they were all lined up along the water's edge,

maybe the warm sun felt good!)

Stormy sky

“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...

It's about learning to dance in the rain.”

-Vivian Greene

Sadie

Action shot of Sadie at the park

(She never holds still long enough for a clear picture---

unless she's sleeping! haha)

Clouds

A cloud does not know why it moves in just such a direction 

and at such a speed... It feels an impulsion... this is the place to go now.  

But the sky knows the reasons and the patterns behind all clouds, 

and you will know, too, when you lift yourself high enough 

to see beyond horizons.  

~Richard Bach

Sometimes,  looking up into a beautiful sky, you can feel just how small a part of the world each of us are.  ~Linda

Tomato

Tomato

(I grew this myself, and will enjoy it on my sandwich tomorrow!)

Horses

Hi.... we're friendly!

Superstition Mountain

Sunny November Day

Freedom

Don't you just wanna hop on the back and cruise away?

Water's Edge

At water's edge, Riparian Preserve, Gilbert AZ

Reflection

Red Mountain Park, Mesa AZ

Superstition Mountain

I caught the last golden rays of the sun

on Superstition Mountaint

Sadie

Sadie the Pug at Lost Dutchman State Park

just below the Superstition Mountains.

Pansy

Pansies expresses that the beloved is always on one’s mind or, 

more feverishly, that the beloved is all the lover can think about.

Golden Light

People who recognize what's enough---

can sleep on the ground and think it's fine. 

People who do not recognize what's enough---

can be in the halls of heaven and still not be satisfied. 

-Buddha Shakyamuni

Santa Cruz Boardwalk

Founded in 1907, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is California's oldest surviving amusement park.


This walkway is part of the majestic Cocoanut Grove building,  designed by local architect William H. Weeks.  In the 40s, 50s and 60s, it was THE place to be for concerts by greats such as Benny Goodman, Nat "King" Cole, Sonny and Cher.  Its still currently in use for weddings and special occasions. 

The Giant Dipper, one of the best-known wooden coasters in the world and one of the most visible landmarks in Santa Cruz.
They marked their 60-millionth rider this year.

Whether you call it a merry-go-round, carousel, or whirligig, visitors have always been enchanted with the Boardwalk's oldest ride. In 2011 the Boardwalk celebrates 100 Years of Carousel Magic, starring the 100-year-old Looff carousel.  It is also one of only a handful of carousels in the world still featuring a working ring dispenser.  Music for the carousel is provided by a 342-pipe Ruth und Sohn band organ built in 1894.

Yellow Rose

Yellow roses, with their sunshine color 

show the joy and happiness that friends bring into our lives.

One of the things that make the yellow rose so special 

is that it indicates a true friend and a true friend is a rare and wonderful gift.

Stanford Univ

Stanford University

is a beautiful campus

and we often toured

there when I was young.

This is circa Spring 1966

me, my sister and Mom

The fountain is still there

Sept 2012

Natural Bridges State Beach

A picture I took in
December, 1979

Two weeks later,
this bridge fell in a storm.






this is how it looks
Sept 2012

Stanford U

Stanford University

love the archways and detailed architecture

Light

Desert Sunset

Desert Sunset

they're always so beautiful, I never tire of them!

09/12/12

White Cloud

Blue sky, white cloud

Blue Moon

Once in a Blue Moon

When I admire the wonders of a sunset 

or the beauty of the moon, 

my soul expands in the worship of the creator.
Mahatma Gandhi

Moon Behind Clouds

Moon behind Clouds

Three things cannot be long hidden: 

the sun, the moon, and the truth.
Buddha

Moon and Clouds

Moon and Clouds

Blue Moon of August 31

Moon at Superstition

Blue Moon peeking over Superstition Mountains

Blue Moon

Blue Moon over Desert

Hot August Moon

Hot August Moon

on the night of the Blue Moon

Sunset

Hot August Sunset

Waiting for the Blue Moon to rise, 

I caught the last rays of the sun

Moonlight

“How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank.

Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music

Creep in our ears; soft stillness, and the night

Become the touches of sweet harmony.”

 ~William Shakespeare

(I am posting this on Aug 31, a Blue Moon night! see more about a blue moon here )

Love Hurts

White Lantana

White Lantana

Coyote

Howling Coyote

Coyote is creator, teacher and keeper of magic.
Playful and skillful, much magic has been associated with the coyote.
Coyote teaches the balance of wisdom and folly.
A coyote's howl is very distinctive - it reminds us of our primal connections.
When was the last time you heard a coyote howl?

Fence

Abandoned ranch fence

Don't ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up

~Robert Frost

School House

Strawberry School House, built in 1886

Oldest standing school building in Arizona

Mud House

Sidles Mud House, built in 1882, Payson AZ

Water

Under the travertine bridge at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park

"May your lives be like the ripples on the water 

always broading from this point on." --Unknown 

Waterfall

Waterfall at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park