A Walk on the Beach

We just returned from the beaches near Wilmington, NC.

We had beautiful weather, lofty clouds, cooling breezes

and solitary beaches.

The white-hot sun of day was slowly falling when we arrived at Shell Beach. 

Shell Beach --- the perfect name.  

Mounds of shells crushed to tiny fragments, the beginnings of new sand.

Hand size half shells of alabaster and sandstone, 

 piled like drift wood along the shoreline.

The evening sun split blades of sea grass

into blades of warm light, shooting above split rails.

Texture: Partings

The most spectacular surprise were a dozen or so cactus, in  amazing colors.  Bulb upon bulb, crimson, violet, purple, fuchsia, theo-violet....all balanced by greens, blended into blue.

Too quickly, the plummeting  sun was at an oblique slant, flooding everything in golden light.

Then our evening  diminished into darkness and the rush of the ocean waves.

linking with  
Leaves'n  Bloom--Color me Weekly

Kim Klassen- Texture Tuesdays

Paradise Under the Sea

I wish I were a Mermaid.

I would be more than thrilled to be able to deep water dive like my

son-by-marriage, Daniel Brown. He sees and experiences a world I will never know. I love to hear his tales of "life under the ocean's surface."

(However he has yet to encounter a really-true Mermaid.)

For a few moments I invite you to FLOAT in a world of the purest of imagination, color and design.

All photos taken through glass aquariums at the Children's Discovery Museum.  

Postcards from Paradise

Please feel free to use as a screensaver.

Revisting with Eyes Wide Open

"Great things are done when men and mountains meet."                                     William Blake

                                 (Must add women who are often beside or leading the men.)

A few days ago I posted our travels to the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway. (here) We went straight to the highest peak, over 6,000' in elevation...gliding into the crystal air, organza clouds, and stiff winds. With eyes wide open we marveled at shriveled  seed pods and dried flower heads crystallized into diamonds to rival those of Tiffany. It was breathtakingly inspiring. There is so much to see at "foot level." 

I can't leave you stranded in the cold, so lets dip down to the valley's slightly fading colors...think gentle tea dyed lace, gracefully formed clouds with lavender edges, and warmer breezes.

Nature's living room window.

Sky coins.

A branch of garnets.

Autumn's final moments.

Before winter's deep sleep.

".....even the oldest of the trees continues its wonderful labor....he is there for the white blossoms and the secrecy. The blossoms could be snow, with a dash of pink.....everything has dreams, hope, ambition."

excerpt, Someday by Mary Oliver

Heart Thought: What is the Greatest Gift?

Warmly, Sharon