September Already? (a repost from days gone by)

"The breezes taste

Of apple peel.

The air is full 

Of smells to feel- 

Ripe fruit, old footballs, 

Burning brush, 

New books, erasers, 

Chalk, and such. 

The bee, his hive, 

Well-honeyed hum, 

And Mother cuts 

Chrysanthemums. 

Like plates washed clean 

With suds, the days 

Are polished with 

A morning haze. " 

-  John Updike, September

Autumn always makes me a little nostalgic for years gone past where I spent my days on Agate Lake in Northern Minnesota . . .

You just can't beat the colors of the maples, oaks and hickory in that part of the world

the smell and warmth from the fire pit on a nippy Fall day

The lake always seemed to change in the waning days of summer . . . a bit choppier and grayer with the anticipation that before long it would be covered over with ice.

A Day on the Lake

There is nothing better to make my day than to spend it on the water!

Derek and Dawn gifted us with a wonderful Lunch Cruise on Lake Coeur d'Alene . . . the second largest lake in Idaho.

And what a beautiful lake it is.  We started out at the Gem of Cd'A . . . this gorgeous hotel.

It was an hour and a half tour of the lake with homes to die for!

I was in such awe that I didn't take photos of the ones on the other side of the lake that were only accessible by boat. But this one and several others had lovely beaches and were so picturesque.

and golf courses so spectacular it almost (almost) made me want to take up the sport.

 Tubb's Hill, near the hotel, with rocks to climb and dive from and trails that go on forever.

Osprey nest high on Tubb's Hill.

The cool lake breeze made the 90 degree day bearable.  The lunch was great, and I am so thankful to Dawn for setting this up.  Her generosity always amazes me.

Water Zen

Growing up in Lake Country, I have always been drawn to water. Sitting by a lake or stream calms  me and puts me at peace. Found this photo on "Moss Woman's Secret Garden" this morning. I would love this in my backyard.  Dream on!!

"Water, the Hub of Life. Water is its mater and matrix, mother and medium. Water is the most extraordinary substance! Practically all its properties are anomalous, which enabled life to use it as building material for its machinery. Life is water dancing to the tune of solids.

~Albert Szent-Gyorgyi (1893-1986)

A day at the lake

First trip to our "little bit of heaven" . . . Kelso Lake in the Idaho Panhandle.  It over~wintered well, the dock was still in place

water was a bit choppy

we took a nice long walk to check out our end of the lake

love the bark on the old cedars

I'm thinking the wild strawberries are going to produce much more fruit than the ones in my back yard this year!

Mmmmm Mmmmm Morels.

T.o.b. can really sniff them out!

Four Pin Friday

Growing up in the state noted for its 10,000 lakes, I've always been drawn to water. 

boundary waters

early morning 

lake louise

where I want to be! 

Lake Day!

Spent one glorious day at Kelso Lake in Idaho yesterday.  The temps were perfect, the lake was still and the aroma of the pines was breathtaking.  T.o.b. worked the road slashing brush to take a read on the property line while I recessed the nails on our deck overlooking the water (taking time out to sit and read naturally).  Of course we both brought our cameras along and had time to take some photos . . .

his photo of this expired dragonfly covered with dew he took with his good Canon camera.

I won't embarrass myself posting my picture of the insect taken with my Nikon point and shoot.  Simply doesn't compare!!  Thinking I should just throw it in the lake after seeing the difference.