“People from a planet without flowers would think we must be mad with joy the whole time to have such things about us.” | Iris Murdoch, A Fairly Honourable Defeat
My purple passion vine I’ve had for over five years blooms from year beginning thru autumn. The butterflies bring their eggs upon the green leaves, the eggs produce the caterpillars and their cocoons, and then glorious Monarchs are born to fly. One of the best, if not the, parts of my “farm” over here, you know. ~ k
“When I go biking, I repeat a mantra of the day’s sensations: bright sun, blue sky, warm breeze, blue jay’s call, ice melting and so on. This helps me transcend the traffic, ignore the clamorings of work, leave all the mind theaters behind and focus on nature instead. I still must abide by the rules of the road, of biking, of gravity. But I am mentally far away from civilization. The world is breaking someone else’s heart.” | Diane Ackerman
One of our favorite escapisms – jumping on the cruisers. Darby fills the basket. 210 Freeway, East Avenue Overpass, Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA, June 12, 2013 ~ k
“There aren’t enough days in the weekend.” | Rod Schmidt
Pismo Creek Estuary, Pismo Beach, California, USA, June 8, 2013
“The sea pronounces something, over and over, in a hoarse whisper; I cannot quite make it out.” | Annie Dillard
Emma Wood State Beach, Ventura, California, USA, June 7, 2013
“An animal’s eyes have the power to speak a great language.” | Martin Buber
That 13-year-old heart stealer enjoying her bike ride. ~ k
“Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.” | Anne Frank
“He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.” | Bessie Stanley, 1905, commonly misattributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson
“What is one to say about June, the time of perfect young summer, the fulfillment of the promise of the earlier months, and with as yet no sign to remind one that its fresh young beauty will ever fade.” | Gertrude Jekyll
“I remember a hundred lovely lakes, and recall the fragrant breath of pine and fir and cedar and poplar trees. The trail has strung upon it, as upon a thread of silk, opalescent dawns and saffron sunsets. It has given me blessed release from care and worry and the troubled thinking of our modern day. It has been a return to the primitive and the peaceful. Whenever the pressure of our complex city life thins my blood and benumbs my brain, I seek relief in the trail; and when I hear the coyote wailing to the yellow dawn, my cares fall from me – I am happy.” | Hamlin Garland, McClure’s, February 1899
A peaceful family offroad ride on Mother’s Day. What more does one need. ~ k
My Sweet Bella Girl,
I brought you home at five weeks of age, the size of a hamster. No exaggeration. And kept you in a shoebox for a bit. You quickly became the tiniest of sidekicks, and I guarded you fiercely, you and your spunkiness. I watched you grow from a brown, black, and grey baby girl to a blonde long-haired beauty. You loved snuggling in my lap and curling warmly on the hearth fireside. I hid you in my purse and brought you to movies and restaurants. Noah was 1 and Nicholas 3 when you joined our family, you grew up together, then quickly became the teacup 2-pound leader in your pup pack of four. For me, Bella, you taught me patience, love, and kindness, and in return gave me so much love, loyalty, companionship, and grace. We love you forever, Bella Ball. And we’re missing you so much right now. Rest in your sweet peace, until we meet again, pretty girl. Love, Momma
May 1999 – April 26, 2013. Bella fell into our pool today, friends and family. Our family has never felt so much pain. Please say a prayer for us, if you will. Thank you.
“Of course anyone who truly loves books buys more of them than he or she can hope to read in one fleeting lifetime. A good book, resting unopened in its slot on a shelf, full of majestic potentiality, is the most comforting sort of intellectual wallpaper.” | David Quaimen
Writing corners, happy places. ~ k
Honor Earth Day!🌿🌎
“Of all the days that’re in the week, I dearly love but one day. And that’s the day that comes betwixt a Saturday and Monday.” | Henry Carey
“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods. There is a rapture on the lonely shore. There is society, where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar: I love not man the less, but nature more.” | George Gordon, Lord Byron, Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage
Santa Monica, California, USA, April 20, 2013
Diamond Bar’s Cottontail Country Classic ~ 2nd Place:
Game 1: Flames 2, Corona/Norco 1
Game 2: Flames 4, Palos Verdes 1
Game 3: Flames 7, Upland 0
Championship Game: Flames 1, North Torrance 1, Overtime, Penalty Kicks
Noah’s Season Goals: 7
Noah’s Season Assists: 7
Find great moments.
Capture them.
 | LiveVitale on Gardenia |
 | lazylauramaisey on Gardenia |
| LiveVitale on Third Planet From The Sun |
 | ctorres4 on Third Planet From The Sun |
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