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Silence is Golden

Brooks Garten Hauschild

Blog #48 of 75

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April 19th, 2017 - 03:17 PM

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Silence is Golden

Spring has sprung...and Mother Nature welcomes 'the change' in her own wild, wacky & wonderful way! Moody, fickle & temperamental, she offers us 'overcast & chilly with a chance of snow' one day, 'balmy breezes & sunny blue skies' the next. I can work with that! Happy to get going on the annual garden cleanup when the latter prevails, like today with its warmer temps, which made picking up the debris after my tree guy took down a large pine near the front porch not that much of a chore. Plus, a 'kind of hush' has been restored in the hood after the chainsaw racket; definitely an improvement. Call me wimpy, but when it's too cold, I simply refuse to work outside! All those extra layers just make it hard on a girl. Looking & lumbering about like a lumberjack is not my idea of 'cool'. Lol. You can bet that when I'm cozy & comfy inside working on a painting, being creative on the computer or just chillin' in hibernation mode, I can think of a million excuses not to don long underwear, overalls, my jacket, headband, hat, gloves, boots & knee pads [whew!] to tackle even more projects. Too much of an effort! The peace & quiet of our hilltop abode surrounded by oaks, madrona, pines [one less] and a very large redwood sequoia these last few months has been a blessing. With so much going on in the world, I cherish, and protect, what tranquility can be found, especially on the home front ~ brisk nature walks alone on overcast chilly windy days, sitting by the fire in the evening with my husband on silent snowy nights, the less hurried pace of late fall & winter, the 'extra' time there seems to be to get stuff done inside, things we put off when sunny skies invite us out to work & play in the garden...and the shorter days in which to snuggle up with a cup of tea [and mate], read a good book and NOT feel guilty. Once again, spring reigns ~ its promise of hope & renewal engages our senses and re-ignites our passion. We get on with the hustle & bustle of life, albeit, sometimes, reluctantly. Time waits for no one, as the seasons, coming & going way too quickly for me, will attest. Up here in southern Oregon, the unpredictability of a spring day can be somewhat entertaining since you never know what will transpire from one minute to the next. In 24-hours, you may experience thunder & lightning, sunshine, a passing rainstorm, gusts, hail & possibly snow! Just the other day, I opened the front door to a soft layer of white blanketing the yard & trees...and the next took a jacket-less walk in my neighborhood park under a blue sky dotted with puffy white clouds where I snapped this photograph titled 'Almost Spring on Golden Pond'. See page-15 of my 'Images' for more. No matter the season, may your days & lives be filled with moments of sanctuary, solitude & reflection, time to replenish the spirit, restore sanity & renew your heart's desire[s]. 'Peace out'...make that 'within & without'.

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Ashland, OR

Hard to believe autumn has arrived in the valley! It's been a roller-coaster ride in many ways since I wrote this earlier April blog, so I welcome the more mellow season w-open arms. However, my two faves ~ fall & spring, both bring their treasured & welcome gifts: autumn w-her amazing color palette, chillier temps, brisk walks, falling leaves, harvest fest[s] & Thanksgiving w-family; and spring w-its sparkling greens, colorful flowers, refreshing rain showers and promise of things-to-come.

Ashland, OR

Speaking of 'golden' ~ I just created my first FAA group called Sunflower Power! You are invited to join IF you are an FAA member and have some amazing sunflowers to share, either art or photography. Just click on the 'Community' tab above, then 'Groups', and search for the title 'Sunflower Power'. Please read the description...and decide whether or not you have work that fits!

Ashland, OR

Spring is on the wane, sigh, as summer approaches. Cooling April showers have definitely brought forth an abundance of May flowers, each with their unique offerings. The garden is rife with the scent of honeysuckle, roses on the vine & bush, colorful Oriental poppies & geraniums, flowering pots, veggies and fruit-nut trees bearing gifts. Sweet fragrances waft by on warm breezes, butterflies & bees do their thing and birds serenade us with sweet songs. How divine!

Ashland, OR

Hey, everyone! Just letting you know that my 'Silence is Golden' contest is still in voting mode should any of YOU want to take a few minutes & scroll through the amazing images to support your favorite photographers! I know we'd all appreciate it. The more the merrier!

Ashland, OR

Now that we finally have a good handle on the spring garden cleanup, my new project to beautify the front entry can begin ~ painting the door, installing fancier hardware, repairing a side board, sprucing up the redwood decking & shining the wrought iron railings. Still piddling in the garden & adding new plants, but 'what a relief' to have most of the hard work behind us ~ except for all the watering, feeding & tending! Lol.

Ashland, OR

Fellow members, I forgot to mention that you are invited to enter a contest I'm hosting with the same name ~ 'Silence is Golden'! IF you have two images that are primarily GOLD & promote a sense of peace & calm, we look forward to seeing YOUR entries! Photography only. Join the fun.

Ashland, OR

Looks like I will be the only one posting as folks are telling me they are unable to comment. The perfect spring day has arrived...and that means after my work here I head outside to the garden. We are still in cleaning/tending mode. Happily, the planting is well underway, most of the flowering baskets & pots are set and new veggies are waiting to go into the soil. I'm mulching, adding a few finishing decor touches and placing rocks here & there. Then comes the feeding & watering.

Ashland, OR

I love a rainy day...for so many reasons. Today, for example ~ construction happily ceased early in the hood; dogs are being kept inside so no barking; traffic has slowed on the boulevard; and, I can almost hear a pin drop it's so quiet in the house, just the soft rain on the roof to lull me along while I work. I needed a break from all the garden, the heaving & hoeing...so, rain, rain, please don't go away!

Ashland, OR

Earth Day should be something we celebrate EVERY day! In my own way, that means continually re-creating a garden sanctuary here at home where the birds, bees & insects can gather & feed, taking long walks on nature trails & in parks to enjoy the 'fresh' air & flora/fauna offerings, snapping photographs so I can preserve & share such beauty...and, most importantly, being compassionate toward all living things.

Ashland, OR

Some are reporting that they are unable to share a comment here? The easiest way to solve that issue is to simply open what's called a 'Collector' account, which will allow you access to my/our blogs...and much more! Good luck. And let me know if you have any more trouble re. Have a blessed day!

Ashland, OR

Thanks so much for the visit & comment, Pam! Happy to hear from you. Have a lovely evening. I will check out your blog, too!

Pamela Allegretto

7 Years Ago

Essex, CT

Such a lovely, uplifting, and well-written artilce. My compliments! Happy spring. Oh yeah, I love the photo! Cheers!

Ashland, OR

I don't know how people live with constant noise, drama & commotion. I need [my] peace, quiet & privacy...and will protect it fiercely, not only to allow for my creative spirit, but to survive & thrive. I've always preferred my own company, even as a child, though I had/have lots of friends and a family life I cherish. Naturally warm, gregarious & gracious, I simply lean toward a more solitary lifestyle. Do you?

Ashland, OR

I love the soft sunlight of a late March day, the longed-for warmth of early spring & the blush of new life everywhere. I love the hush of a cloudy April day, a welcoming shower & the fragrance of rain. Between the two, it's hard to say which I find more delightful, as each is welcomed for different reasons.

Ashland, OR

Keeping with the 'silence is golden' theme, I couldn't have asked for a more lovely spring day to grab the camera and head off to a nearby nature park for some worthy photo ops. Turned out, I was the only one there to enjoy the company of such beautiful flowers, curious critters & chatty birds. Love that!

Ashland, OR

Daylight Savings Time is here once more...and with it comes a glorious 'spring' day ~ clear blue skies, 70 degree temps, a warm breeze...and NO good reason I can think of to still be sitting here at the computer! Lol. I'm donning my sun hat & glasses, overalls & rubber boots, and heading out to the garden. So much to do; so little time! More light-filled hours means more quiet time to enjoy nature, whether here at home, up in the mountains, on a secluded beach or at a neighborhood park.

Ashland, OR

Delighted to have 'Almost Spring on Golden Pond 3' place 1st in an off-site contest! Nature at its simplest...and finest. Also, a reminder to FAA members ~ you still have time to enter my ' Ducks & Geese on the Water' contest! Good luck. Read the rules first!

Ashland, OR

Today featured the two faces of winter-spring! John & I woke to white winter wonderland which soon turned to a partly-sunny warmer day that melted the chill & snow away. By late afternoon, clouds had rolled in & the rain began to fall. Now, with evening's arrival, rain is turning to snow, once more, and temps have plummeted. I'm thinking this calls for a steamy cup of tea, a yummy snack and a competitive game of cards. Baby, it's cold outside!

Ashland, OR

Fyi ~ I am currently hosting a contest with this same logo image titled 'Ducks & Geese ~ color photography'! Come join up if you have 3 images that fit. Hope to see you & your entries there.