Discovery Drafts

North Topsail is planting grasses on the dunes to prevent the kind of erosion that took away a significant portion of the beach and left it at the south end of the island last year.  Sea grass could not only protect the dunes--and provide relatively stable nesting sites for sea turtles, by the way (many nests this year are surrounded by mature grasses)--but also protect the investments of homeowners and, thus, the tax base of this little town.  How little it takes.  To realize that and act on it is to change the world.  Very cool, those sea grasses. Today's Flowers

There are no bad days on the beach--not even when they start out in shades of black and white.  Pure magic. Skywatch Friday

Della, Clyde, and I picked up our puppy, Queen Maeve, on Saturday afternoon.  My cousin Jayne had picked her up from the breeder and gave her a good start with all kinds of training and love, not to mention the company of three good-natured Dobies and a Havanese who is a regular visitor. With a lot of love and some constant effort, Maeve plowed her way into Clyde's heart. This was no small task because poor ol' Clyde had a rough start in this world as an orphan for a few years before he claimed Adella. They had a little drink together before a walk.  For me, the memorable moments are seldom the well-photographed ones. She had a little York Peppermint Patty kind of moment on the beach today. She and Clyde managed a game or three of tug-of-war, and she figured out how to charge him and make the slightest little growl to engage him in play.  In short, they wore each other out. Our World Tuesday

Here are a few images from a late-spring walk.  The fragrant flowers lined the river where this driftwood was doing its job to affect the course of the water. Today's Flowers

Skywatch Friday

Wordless Wednesday

I took a break from studying on Saturday to go for a walk, and I came across this tortoise sunning in the grass at the bottom of the hill.  We sat for a while before he (she?) decided to make a move for the road. At which point my little buddy found himself airborne as I carried him to the swamp.  The tortoise kept his (her?) head out the whole time and seemed not to mind. I didn't want this to happen to this young'un.  This made me sick since this older turtle would have been in a wide-open part of the road and been plainly visible. The poor thing dragged himself to his death about a foot and a half away from where he was hit.  How strong is the drive to go on despite the odds?  I guess we can honor that by slowing down.  Slowing down is good because this.... ...becomes this. Our World Tuesday

Asters are the best for hanging in there the whole season and turning phosphorescent blue and feeling like summer as you slip into fall.  Adella and I came upon these last weekend when we were out for a walk before we both sat down to our studies.  She is facing her freshman finals, and I am facing my history final in a course I am taking to meet the requirements for a Connecticut State Department of Education cross-endorsement for history on my teaching license.  It's a wonderful thing to work for your own education--whether the tax payer subsidizes it or you do it yourself.  Still, recess is a wonderful thing, too, and we can't wait to get to the beach! Today's Flowers

Wordless Wednesday

Ah, finals.... It's time for Adella take them and for me to give them and grade them.  We spent the weekend getting ready, but we managed to take time out to take Clyde out to stretch a letter and smell the flowers. The river was full and moving right along.  Sunlight bobbed along and bounced off the overhanging leaves. The park was sweet with the scent of blossoms that will soon give way to wild berries.   Back at home, the lilies on the pond seem to be marching across the water.  They're looking mighty invasive, but I like them all the same. It's fun watching summer unfold. And then it's back to the books. Our World Tuesday

Waiting for the Memorial Day parade in Woodbury a few weeks ago, I watched a few bees make a meal out of these flowers, which smelled as sweet as they looked beautiful. Today's Flowers

Skywatch Friday

My daughter's friend Vince arranged 'An American Elegy' for the Nonnewaug High School band in response to the massacre at Sandy Hook School on December 14 last year. The kids performed it last night at the spring concert.  Before he conducted, Vince explained to us that Dec. 14 was a time there were no words, when music alone could capture feeling for him.  Everything about this performance is student-led.  Another student--a clarinetist--created the slide show that is part of the presentation. (Some folks say education asks too much of the tax payer.  Maybe.  I would ask the complainers out there to listen to this and consider the return on their investment.  Here is pure heart.  Tax payers didn't buy that, but they made it possible.) Please listen and watch and be grateful you walk this earth. Wordless Wednesday

How to do summer?  It's easy.  First, find your favorite people. Grill.  Eat what you like.  Stay away from the Paleos, the fat-frees, the no-carbs, the South Beaches and every other diet of the hour.  Just eat what you like and leave the table when you are full.  Remember to say please and thank you.  Eat dessert; it's there because somebody loves you. Wherever you are, just chill.  Long grass is cool grass.  Enjoy it. Speak no evil of French fries.  Or Dr. Pepper. There's just no need. Love the ones who make your life possible, and have fun with them.  (Start with your grandparents and keep thinking.  The world is good to you; love it back.)  Take time to smell 'em.  Think what goes into the miracle of flowers, and drink them in. Our World Tuesday

These little flowers were lighting up the back garden a few weeks ago.  I forgot I had the photo until I went looking for something else.  Time moves along. Today's Flowers