beauty and the beast

You thought maybe I was kidding?

These are all photos I took on walks last week, gathering bits of August to remember...then I ran into this guy guarding his house and bird feeders. Scary. Sometimes life is just too funny, eh?
Have more red fun @ Ruby Tuesday.

Johnny Depp meets Skywatch

Sunday the motorcycle took us to WineHaven Winery in Chisago City for a wine tasting. O.K., so the first state that comes to mind when you think wine isn't usually Minnesota, but this winery only imports grapes for their Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and the rest come from this beautiful little valley.

 

Below is the sky view across a corn field leaving the winery. All in all a perfect day for a ride, a sip or two of rhubarb wine or honey mead, a jazz trio backed by incredibly blue skies and lakes.

See more skies from all over our dear planet @ Skywatch Friday. 

Wino Forever

Johnny Depp's tattoo once read 'Winona Forever'
 

D is for Damson

as in plums. I took this photo when I lived in Chicago. Walking through Hyde Park to catch the train each day, I always passed one house with a small plum tree next to the front gate. Season by season I'd watch them grow from blossoms to these beauties. Then one day, just like that, when I'd walk by to admire them, they'd be gone! Probably already in jars on the counter.

For more tasty D words visit ABC Wednesday.

Hesitate in August.
Be shy.
Let your toes tremble in their sandals.

Ann Sexton

Here's to a new day in a new month full of golden possibilities. Enjoy--and do let your toes tremble!

more beauty here.

a sailor is an artist whose medium is the wind

For Skywatch Friday I give you an illustration of our summer--and maybe yours too:  humidity (note the hazy trees), white skies and a hot wind. I took this in July at White Bear Lake.

Happy August!

quote by Webb Chiles

delicious C's

 Canna Lilies (a divine color; I've only known red before), cleome and a cosmos or two--

along with a bite of my Creme Brulee. If you want more C's to make you happy, check out ABC Wednesday.

a little gift on Tuesday