Pic Today 3/31/20

WORDS OF

INSPIRATION

Especially in times

of unforeseen catastrophe,

each of us is responsible

for our own choices.

Buddha states such wisdom

in perfect clarity.

Stay safe.

Imagine your own future.

Pic Today 3/30/20

MAGNOLIA CARPET

I love how magnolia trees

lose their beautiful pink blossoms

all at the same time.

Laying a carpet of pink

beneath her branches.

Wonderful.

Pic Today 3/29/20

LIKING LICHENS

Went for a hike in the woods,

just before the heavy rains

were due to come through.

Lots of lichen on trees and rocks.

So colorful, and definitely

not poisonous.

In Missouri, the most common forms

are "speckled shield" and "green shield"

(shown here.)

Lichens have no chlorophyll,

and are incapable of photosynthesis,

but they absorb nutrition from organic matter, 

and are not harmful to trees.

There are an estimated 17,000 varieties

world wide, and make up a substantial part

of the diet in the Arctic.

Pic Today 3/28/20

HOW COULD YOU

SURVIVE THE QUARANTINE?

Without your phone.

(Perish the thought.)

Pic Today 3/27/20

PRETTY IN PINK

It's that magic moment

in Spring

When the magnolias begin 

to bloom.

Magnificent magnolias.

Pic Today 3/26/20

KEEPING OUR

EYES ON THE HORIZON

Enduring our changed lives

these days.

Struggling to keep a healthy

perspective.

Practicing patience,

sacrifice and unselfish love.

And music!

Pic Today 3/25/20

BEAUTIFUL SUPER FOOD

NOT SOLD IN STORES

Wild watercress is a powerhouse

of vitamins and minerals

and free for the taking

(if you're lucky enough to have

a free-flowing spring

near or on your property.)

Its peppery, sweet taste

is best in early Spring.

Natural arthritis relief

and diabetes preventer.

High in Vitamin A, C, E, K, B6,

potassium, magnesium, riboflavin.

Delicious and so nutritious.

Pic Today 3/24/20

SUCCESS

Taking your shopping list

to the grocery store these days

is an unfulfilling experience.

Lots of empty shelves.

But look who walked away

with a 9-pack of toilet paper.

No milk, no bread,

no hand sanitizers.

Happy to share,

if you're in need.

Pic Today 3/23/20

CARTOON FOR THE DAY

Feeling all cooped up,

like a turtle inside his shell.

Texting's ok, right?

Pic Today 3/22/20

WILD WATERCRESS

SPRINGS TO MIND

Each Spring,

a fresh crop of watercress appears,

down at the cabin.

Never bitter,

sweet and tender.

Thank you Richart Spring.

Pic Today 3/21/20

BUDS ARE BURSTING

Spring has officially started.

The show is about to begin.

Pic Today 3/20/20

MY WHEEL SERIES

Mandatory quarantines
driving me a little stir crazy.

I'm shooting pics of
car wheels!
Oh dear.

(But I am washing my hands,
   and avoiding human contact.)

Pic Today 3/19/20

GRACEFUL SPRING BEAUTY

Forsythia.

Right behind the yellow of daffodils,

forsythia bushes have awakened.

And today.

The first day of Spring.

How appropriate.

Pic Today 3/18/2020

GOT THESE WONDERFUL

DILL PICKLES 

FROM BOZEMAN, MONTANA

And thanks to Cat Neville's

"We Are The Tastemakers" recipe,

made these delicious fried pickles.

Marinate in buttermilk

for 2 minutes.

Drain and toss in cornmeal.

Brown both sides in hot oil.

Drain on towel.

Cool and enjoy.

(Cat recommends ranch dressing.)

You can order these wonderful

organic pickled veggies directly

from rootskitchencannery.com.

Yum!

Pic Today 3/17/20

TIS THE DAY

TO BE WEARING GREEN

They've cancelled all the parades,

closed restaurants and bars,

and encouraged us to practice

"social distancing."

So try to behave,

and enjoy St. Patrick's Day.

Just don't touch anyone.

Pic Today 3/16/20

GONE SHOPPING LATELY?

Predictable grocery shopping

has left many shelves empty.

As we adjust to mandatory

travel restrictions, quarantines,

and work shut-downs,

we're all learning how to

do more with less.

Even grocery shopping is at panic levels.

Washing hands, not shaking them,

is the new normal.

Why is everyone stock piling toilet paper?

Pic Today 3/15/20

FIRST FLOWERS OF SPRING

Daffodils have magically arrived.

They always make me smile.

(Yellow is the first color

of Spring.)

Pic Today 2/14/20

SANDY CREEK BRIDGE

One of only 4 covered bridges

in Missouri.

Built in 1872.

Old Lemay Ferry Road

Hillsboro, MO

Early spring day,

still chilly,

but the trees are waking up.

Pic Today 3/1320

DAGUERREOTYPE PHOTO PORTRAITS

Chances are you've seen stacks of these

old photographs, mostly portraits,

in antique shops across the country.

These were very popular 

in most major cities, as the

first commercial photo process, 

in the 1840s and 1850s.

Studios would need you to sit

very still for a lengthy exposure,

and you could leave with small

postcard prints to share with

your loved one or family.

At the start of the Civil War

it was common to take a picture

of the soldier's loved one into battle,

or as a birthday gift.

The ladies would love to show off

their latest fashions.

(Happy Friday The 13th.)

Pic Today 3/12/20

LAGUNA AGATES

I've always had a thing

for banded agates,

especially laguna agates.

These polished nodules

are the extent of my collection.

Unfortunately, the mines where

these were collected are now closed.

Many collectors consider these 

from the Estacion Ojo Laguna area,

located in Chihuahua, Mexico,

to be the best of their kind

in the whole world.

Who knew 

rocks from the earth

 could be so beautiful?

Pic Today 3/11/20

MOM KNOWS WHAT I LOVE

And I love yogurt.

Pic Today 3/10/20

THE POWER OF MUSIC

"Music hath powers to soothe

the savage breast."

                     -- William Congreve, English Poet

"Twas ever thus."

                  -- Mr. Natural

Pic Today 3/9/20

THE WEEKEND FOR FLOWERS

IN SAINT LOUIS

Saturday, it was "Art In Bloom"

at the Saint Louis Art Museum.

And then Sunday, the Orchid Show

at Missouri Botanical Garden.

Two great shows!

So much beauty.

Pic Today 3/8/20

ART IN BLOOM

A celebration of art and flowers

at the Saint Louis Art Museum,

in Forest Park.

30 local florists and garden clubs

have each designed a floral

arrangement to be part of this show,

and are judged on composition,

presentation and creative use

of floral components.

On display throughout the museum,

through Sunday, March 8.

And free to the public.

(Closes today at 4:30 pm)

Visit today, if you're in town.