Heart of the Matter

When a tree goes down it is usually quite a cataclysmic affair. Lightning, fire, even old age. This tree's heart has decayed. Its death starting from the inside. It lived a full life. Many burls on its trunk. The sound of it coming down must have shook all around it.

Today was the perfect day for me to find this treeheart on my walk. I have been reading a book about aging. Last night I read a passage that says most people close up their hearts because of fear. Fear of the magnitude of their feelings.

Fear of the magnitude of their feelings. When I found this tree those words rang in me like a bell. Then it started to rain.


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In My Neighborhood

Grant Park is such a beautiful place in the heart of our neighborhood. Lots of people come and have family picnics. This is a common sight on a Monday afternoon. I used to think this was a malicious act but after a conversation I had the other day I am rethinking it. I spoke with an employee at Home Depot who was talking to me about grills. He actually said that charcoal was biodegradable. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I told him about the petrochemicals in self-lighting charcoal. He honestly had no idea. So now when I see this in our park I know it is because people just are not informed.



Lichens in the waning light of day.













Remains of rampant ivy on the tree on the corner.









Sunset walk, sunset colored hibiscus, marsh mallow.










Crepe paper end of day crumpled flower.









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Out West

Recent trip with my friend and her two sons who are my godsons. Much unspoken about being a godmother. The spiritual path can only be glimpsed when the door is open. This trip helped us at least find where the door is.

This seemed to be the most classic Old West photo of all I took. Even if it is shot at "High Noon."




I loved the palette and the weathered patterns. Muted light in the shadows of big rock formations at Arches National Park.






A rustic old log cabin from early settlers in the area that is now the National Park.









Changing light on dried grasses.