Discovery Drafts

"Into the night" is a header challenge times 10 for me. I am lousy at night photography. I took a walk through my albums for something that would keep me from being a total wallflower this week, and I came across the above image of a bridge in New York, though I can't say which one. This is one of those bored-passenger-wonders-what-will-happen-if-she-shoots-that shots. Eh. The carousel above is a highlight of the Bethlehem Fair for my daughter. Every year I try to get it right. I only hope the fair will stay in business a few more years! Please click the links above to visit the blogs of the fine folks who are part of the header challenge!

From Topsail, April 2011 From Topsail, April 2011 From Topsail, April 2011 From Topsail, April 2011 Grant's is the seafood shop in Sneads Ferry where dad gets mom and me our daily dose of cherry stone clams. Lovely people where the living's done--off the beaten path. My World Tuesday

From Arboretum ....a red red rose, so sweetly sprung in (April).  With a few petals missing.  This is life.  This is love. (This is another gem from the New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, North Carolina.) Today's Flowers

I consider it a privilege every time I come across a turtle because these ancient wonders are wild animals who let me stand beside them or watch them or carry them or bury them (because some fool has crushed them to death on the road). From Apr 9, 2011 Today I came across a painted turtle on his back in the middle of my traffic lane on a back road that has become a major through-road between the highway and home for way too many selfish slobs who drive way too fast. Helping out this living being was a nice break from a few days of removing turtle remains from this road. I can't stand seeing broken turtles in the road, and I can't stand seeing what's left mashed into the pavement. I hate that the remains of a living being becomes an abstract blob, a nothing. If you have run over a turtle it's because you are going too fast, you aren't paying attention, or you just don't care. If any one of these three apply to you, you're a callous person who nee

From Apr 9, 2011 Turtles manifest time... So much so steady so slow So long. In spring, I carry turtles Across the road-- Snappers mostly Though they never do And box turtles And painted turtles... I hold the history of the world Alive and steady Still and sure Accepting me In the time it takes to cross Two lanes of asphalt. This week I moved The remains Of four painted turtles Crushed under the weight Of hurry, and I cried. Without time, there is no mercy. Every day this time of year I walk in search of turtles Who don't otherwise stand a chance, Though I am nothing. What is time? What is mercy? One Single Impression

Emails reveal that shrimping vessels operating in the wake of the oil spill routinely failed to properly install “turtle excluder devices.” 05-26-2011 // Miles Grant (National Wildlife Federation) Six times the annual average of sea turtles were stranded in the Gulf of Mexico last year and hundreds more have washed up this year. While the Gulf oil disaster was to blame for many of the deaths, just-released government documents obtained by the group Oceana are shedding new light on another cause: More than a dozen e-mails, obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fisheries service by the advocacy group Oceana, provide extensive evidence that shrimping vessels operating in the wake of the oil spill routinely failed to properly install “turtle excluder devices,” aimed at keeping imperiled turtle species out of their gear. [...] But the e-mails show that shrimpers across the Gulf of Mexico are routinely failing to place the devices in their nets or installin

From Topsail, April 2011 It would seem my ambition is to photograph every permutation of the same things that occupy my time when I am on Topsail.  It would seem.  That is my ambition.  To see what is interesting and new about the familiar and ordinary, to affirm life as a work of art with every breath.  It is.   Breathe well, friends. Skywatch Friday

From Topsail, April 2011 Wordless Wednesday

From Arboretum I suggested pink for this week's header challenge. I had the phrase "in the pink" on my mind. Feeling good, being happy, well....It's what May does as everything comes into bloom, geese lay their eggs, turtles hatch and risk their lives crossing the road, butterflies flit about, and even the turkey vultures are surveying the pond-side real estate for suitable nesting habitat.  On Friday, when the whole world seemed to come to life, the day was warm and tropical, dreamy--as North Carolina was in April, when I took this photo at the New Hanover County Arboretum . Oh, for the environment to be in the pink. On Friday, I helped three baby turtles the size of silver dollars get across the road from the culvert to that most magical of swamps. (I found the same number dead.) As I hoisted up these two painteds and one snapper, I told them they were doing the right thing by retreating into their shell and that they shouldn't mind me. (There is no good re

From Topsail, April 2011 From Topsail, April 2011 From Topsail, April 2011 The Seaview Pier is the point at which I turn back and complete the loop that makes the morning and evening walk when I am on Topsail.  Sometimes I go beyond the pier, but not often.  It's a good walk and just enough. My World Tuesday

From Apr 9, 2011 Spring has been a merciless tease this year. Days are tropically warm and humid and downright chilly in a matter of minutes. Trees are slow to come into leaf (We are still waiting for the oaks and sycamores.). The beautiful fragrances of spring are lost in the heavy rains, and the babies--geese, turtles, turtles, turtles--are snuffed at by careless or ignorant drivers and who knows what. Spring is the season of the held breath for me as I wait and watch to see which critters will make it. Last week I bought a Canon Powershot SD 1400 IS Digital Elph just so I could have a light, small camera with me at all times. I played with it a bit on Friday, when I photographed the slow-blooming rhododendron, which has been struggling to bounce back from the winter. Mother Nature seems just a tad lethargic this spring. I am only glad she is showing up. Today's Flowers

The world's best underwater photographs of 2010: Our World Underwater and Deep Indonesia - Telegraph "Underwater Sadness' by Ramon Dominquez is a powerful photo that points to the sheer brutality of human ignorance. How can this turtle survive? Goddammit. Think and do and do right. Realize that everything you think, breath, touch, do makes or breaks life all over this planet. Set this turtle free. Love your world.

Rambling too far away too far gone no trace of what was no word no nothing You have rambled, Leaving behind A simple and neat silence As unnecessary as it is final In that silence I have learned to feel something a trace of what is something You have rambled; I have tuned my heart To the hum of the air When it does not move In that calm before the storm I contemplate Rambling. Sound effects: Find the River

From Topsail, April 2011 The blue of the Carolina sky behind this wave in every stage of dissolving into the sands of North Topsail Beach is my favorite blue in the world.  I took this photo because I was following the pelican in search of his breakfast and wondering what he would do next.  I think the answer was "try again."  I love getting up for this because I love the light on the spray and foam, and I love the soft patina of the wave itself as the sun rises and rises and rises.  Some days there's just nothing better than getting out of bed and being on the beach.  Roll on, June 25.... Skywatch Friday

Ol' blue eyes was caught in the act of being himself outside a garden at the Burgwin-Wright House in Wilmington, North Carolina.  He put up with me for a good few minutes, and I appreciated that!  See the links above for the other head-banger challenge participants and enjoy!

From Topsail, April 2011 Wordless Wednesday

Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers Robin "Birdy" Perry feels compelled to leave Harlem, forego college, and join the Army in the aftermath of 9/11. He does just that--without his father's support. In Sunrise over Fallujah , the 2008 young adult novel by acclaim writer Walter Dean Myers, Birdy finds himself in Iraq and attached to a Civil Affairs unit, a group of soldiers assigned the dubious honor of testing the waters in various "hearts and mind" situations with local Iraqis conceived by higher ups who say they are intent on establishing peace and building democracy. Birdy soon learns the people he can trust are the men and women soldiering right alongside them. Beyond this small group, nothing's for sure. Because soliders who participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom had not only to defeat an enemy but also to build relationships with locals whose loyalties might by lie with the old regime or with some other religious faction or with some oth

From Wilmington From Wilmington From Wilmington From Wilmington Not until my visit in April did I notice that the Kenan Fountain on Market Street in Wilmington, North Carolina, is graced by turtles enjoying the shower. Being there in April makes it a lot easier to slow down and look around.  Cool, comfortable air sure does affect the perspective.  My daughter and I love Wilmington and ogle the same things every time we are there--like the Spanish moss on the trees in the churchyard of St. Paul's. We liked the art in the windows farther down Market Street near the river, too. These flip-flops have me counting the days to June 25, when we'll be in North Carolina again. My World Tuesday

From Wilmington I came across this rose in Wilmington, North Carolina, in late April. Roses in April--miraculous, beautiful, dreamy! So much that's so good.... Today's Flowers

Bending over backwards, Twisting and contorting The simplicity clean out of themselves And balancing dangerously through space, These small lines become the shapes Of the sounds that speak For the heart. I don't form them much by hand anymore. Not these days. I prefer instead to tap into The keyboard those secret shapes That are the strange rhythms, The secrets, truths, and wild imaginings Of my heart. I wonder sometimes if I am out of touch (Perhaps lost touch). In my way I keep time to the music But I never quite step into the dance. I am told, though, That I type fast. I can't help it, I say. It is a condition of the heart. One Single Impression

From Topsail, April 2011 Mmmmmorning, dear..... Skywatch Friday

From May 7, 2011 Wordless Wednesday

From Wilmington My home is the first and last word in mix-match. My old clothes are my favorite. I live for hand-me-downs. Brand new is a tough concept with me. Most of my best clothes are from LL Bean, after all, and they wear like iron. New is weird in my world. So this week's header challenge was a biggie. I ended up settling for a brand new day in Wilmington, North Carolina, and no more brand new, also in Wilmington, North Carolina. This photo of a woefully misplaced sign in the church yard of St. James Parish had me and my daughter rolling.  What's old is new or not at all.  Have a great day! Please see the other head-bangers  Dave ,   Lanny ,   Imac ,   Gailsman , and   Tom the Fishing Guy   to see their takes on brand new.

From Arboretum From Arboretum From Arboretum From Arboretum The New Hanover County Arboretum in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a wonderful place to take in the floral wonders of North Carolina and to see some beautiful sculpted gardens. By its own account, "the Arboretum is a special 7-acres in the heart of New Hanover County where homeowners can see the variety of plants that grow in our coastal area as well as emerging trends in plant material." Definitely worth a visit! My World Tuesday

From May 7, 2011 From May 7, 2011 Walking with my daughter yestereday at Three Rivers Park in Woodbury, we came across these cherry blossoms as we followed the Pomperaug River and walked Clyde. This is one of the pup's favorite places. Adella's Dachshund is a chick magnet in his own mind. He chases all the girlie canines and even pursues some of the female two-leggeds when he has a mind to. He checked out a few fisherman--who seemed to enjoy him and the flowering trees more than their success in the river. Our dog is our social life. Nearer to home, the swamp again teems with life as baby turtles struggle to survive the long walk across the road, the lone goose breaks my heart as he live on, a couple of geese seem to get a big kick out of standing on top of the beaver lodge, the red-winged blackbirds sing themselves silly, and the mayflies make of themselves a roving buffet as they loop-de-loop through the air. In Connecticut (as in North Carolina), this is the

Love The widowed goose Glides through air That last summer Carried his mournful cries To swim where he once swam As one of many And landed always with his partner. Faithful, He glides through the pond Day and night Searching, I think. One Single Impression

From Topsail, April 2011 Sunrise on a quiet, unpeopled Topsail is my favorite thing in the world.  But I probabably said that already. Skywatch Friday

From Topsail, April 2011 This week's header challenge has the theme of water.  I took this shot of Atlantic water at North Topsail Beach a few weeks ago.  I walk in the direction of the rising sun on that beach, and the play of light on the water is always stunning.  I was actually not a complete bum on vacation this time around and got up early enough to enjoy a quiet, empty beach.  There's nothing like walking in time with the pulse of the earth.  I can't wait to be back. P lease speed along to the other headbangers  Dave ,  Lanny ,  imac ,  Gailsman , and Tom- fishing guy  a to see how they make do… for their headers.

From Wordless Wednesday

I was sound asleep when President Obama announced that Osama bin Laden was dead. Then, on Monday, the paper had not arrived by the time I left for work, so I started my day oblivious to the fact that this world was free of that menace. On deck in Waterbury and ready to start the day, I had a quick look at my own email before hall duty called me away from the comings and goings of the free world. There, courtesy of the several news services to which I subscribe, was the news that Osama bin Laden was dead thanks to the Navy SEALs. My stomach heaved. I thought, some mothers' sons took out this bit of trash on May Day, when the rest of us were out taking in the wonders of spring. I have two nephews. One is nine, and one is twelve. They are the sweetest, most beautiful boys I know. I try to imagine their growing up to do this kind of thing. To kill to stop killing. To kill to change the direction of--what?--thinking that leads to more killing. What if one of them were behind

Yesterday's walk in the woods in Newtown showed some sure and subtle signs of spring while the flowers on the magnolia, cherry, and forsythia boldly announced the season. I love the heady aroma of spring downtown, but I far prefer the smaller, gentler, greener, fleeting signs in the heart of the woods. From Wildflowers From Wildflowers From Wildflowers My World Tuesday

From Topsail, April 2011 This beauty hung from a tree that filled a salty, sandy little alley with divine perfume as we (unsuccessfully) searched for a geocache.  There's a fine line between geocaching and climbing up someone's nose, by the way.  Around Topsail, some folks will give you clues that all but tell you where to reach for the thing if they know you're geocaching.  Other folks will politely and pointedly wonder why the hell you are standing in their flowerbeds and performing cavity searches on the gnomes.   (The politely part is how you know you're South. Do the same around here (in the chilly North), and the guard dogs would be calling you lunch.)  Anyway, geocaching is a wonderful and strange hobby that puts me in new places that smell wonderful and have me looking closely at everything.   I love that. Today's Flowers