summer storms

In all the heat we've been enduring it is magical to have thunder clouds roll in. They are always  illuminated from deep within and move swiftly from here to there.

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time. John Lubbock

I am linking these to Skywatch Friday where you'll see many more marvelous skies

the peace sign. . .

back by popular demand!

 

 If you can, take time to see the beauty of summer in spite of crushing heat and power outages.

With gratitude to so many heroes who selflessly served so we could. . . 

You can protect your liberties in this world only by protecting the other man's freedom. You can be free only if I am free.  Clarence Darrow

Happy Independence Day, my bloggy friends!

that old man river

The muddy Mississippi keeps rolling along through Wabasha, Minnesota. Beyond the trees into the clouds is Wisconsin. In spite of the heavy heat and humidity it made me so happy when I spied my first wild rose of the season growing along the railroad tracks. See more lovely skies @Skywatch Friday.

Wild roses are fairest, and nature a better gardener than art.
―Louisa May Alcott   

life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

all in one day in Minnesota. Linking these random shots to Skywatch Friday.

“The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.”

John F. Kennedy

Monday marvels

So, its Monday morning and I'm driving home on a busy road along Sucker Lake when I see brake lights ahead. That's nothing unusual considering the road construction and repair going on in Minnesota these days. . .but when we started moving again I saw a 20-something guy jump out from an old car in the oncoming lane full of other guys who all looked like they were going fishing. As their car pulled off the road I saw the first guy run up the road and cross over traffic to the center line where he tenderly picked up a turtle, escorting it the other side of the road where he placed it in the soft, green grass. While he ran back to meet his buddies, I realized that Rosemary Clooney was singing  the 1952 song 'Tenderly' on the radio.
This just could be a great week ahead, for me and the turtle.

view from our broad prairie

 Not a breath of air stirred over the free and open prairie; the clouds were like light piles of cotton; and where the blue sky was visible, it wore a hazy and languid aspect.

Francis Parkman

These were the sky views over the prairie I saw on Sunday from the motorcycle. The sky was really that blue. More skies @ Skywatch Friday.

In seed time

This is the eastern path around Snail Lake where I walk in the morning. It is usually a mix of spring green, blue sky and soft birch shadows across the path.

True Wild Geranium and Wild Columbine

 

The western side of the lake is shaded in the daytime. When you find the random bits of light on the foliage you'll know what kind of sky we had when I took this photo. More skies at Skywatch Friday.

In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.  William Blake