Getting arboreal: A Nature Collection

Julie and I are at it again.

Last time, we went From Sea to Shining Sea -- a cinch if you live in coastal Connecticut and your pal lives in San Diego. But not so easy for others. Not everyone has an ocean in their backyard.

So this time, it's trees. If you'll pop over to The Land of Lost Luggage, Julie will explain the "rules." I hope Julie doesn't mind if I speak for both of us, but it's only rules in the broadest sense. We welcome stretching, pushing and general creative expanding.


Case in point: Here you see many trees, not just one. Why? Well, I just plain couldn't decide. So at the top you'll see a crabapple tree. Wait until you see how gorgeous this beauty looks in the fall.

Next up is the old Center School, now Board of Education headquarters, and the home of the 1902 Constitutional Convention pin oak. That's Connie at the far right of the building. You can get a better look at him directly above.


This is Connie, too. He was planted in 1902 to commemorate the Connecticut Constitutional Convention. One sapling was planted in each Connecticut town. The trees have thrived, unlike the movement to tinker with the constitution. That was defeated -- and continues to be defeated. Hooray, Nutmeggers!

This lovely is a Japanese maple. Not the small, lacy kind but the larger, sturdy tree with scrumptious fall color.

Maybe my favorite leaf shape of them all.

So lovely.

This is Rover, our backyard pink dogwood. OK, the name is silly, but what else should I call a dogwood? If people can name their golden retriever Dave, why can't I call this guy Rover?

Not into naming trees? No problem, not everyone is quite as nuts as I am. In fact, I have MORE trees, but they'll wait for another time. Now Julie and I would love to see your trees. And as Julie mentioned, if you include a leaf shot as well, I'll do my best to identify your arboreal friend.

Ready to play?

Somewhere in the South Pacific

A hundred and one pounds of fun

that's my little honeybun

get a load of honeybun tonight.

I'm talking about my sweetie pie

only 60 inches high

and every inch is packed with dynamite!

Congratulations to the cast of South Pacific, performing this weekend at the Square One Theater in Stratford. And a big hug to my sailor who as always, dazzles us with his talent. If you're in town, come join us!

High Summer

High summer. 

The Rose Moon is past and the Thunder Moon is yet to come. 

We are in the days of the Heat Moon.

When tomatoes swell and their cheeks blush red.

The daylilies sway in the breeze.

Children marinate themselves in chlorine by day

then play hide and seek as the fireflies appear.

Days of iced tea languor

and ice cream evenings. 

And maybe a dance beneath the stars

as Etta James melts the stereo

and the tendrils within

unfurl

and relax.

Roses for Shannon

Our friend, Michelle Ward, is on her way to Minnesota to gather with family on the first anniversary of the loss of her beautiful sister, Shannon.

But before she left, the magnificent book we created arrived in her hands.

Any words I could use to describe her reaction would pale in comparison to the reveal Michelle left on her blog. Go HERE to see it.

But I do want to thank all of you for your generosity, your talent, your love and your endless patience as we waited to exactly the right moment to send Michelle the Book of Love.

Not a single person let the secret slip. 

Special thanks to my fellow secret agents, Julie Prichard and Lisa Hoffman, who made our months of planning and plotting such a joy.

That gorgeous beast of a book is Julie's artistic genius. She sewed miles of thread and created the Michelle-perfect cover. Visit The Land of Lost Luggage to see more.
Our inside woman and voice of reason was Lisa. She kept us laughing and contributed the perspective we needed so badly. You can visit her HERE.

And corresponding with all of you, receiving your artistic treasures and your heartwarming comments, meant the world to all three of us.

Thank you. 

Just Beachy

A funnel cloud was seen last night in coastal Connecticut. We're hurricane country, not tornado alley, but there it was. Wild weather swirled around us then departed leaving the pink promise of a brilliant day. 

Today.

On the way home from the half-price sale at the herb nursery, we decided to appreciate the golden moment from our favorite vantage point -- the seawall.

Long time visitors to this blog may recall the photos of this location taken in the freeze frame of winter.

But now it's a different place. Warm, teaming, alive and saturated with sunshine.

Piles of clouds visible across the Sound hovering over the playground of the rich and not-so-rich.

All sorts of lush growth encouraged by the generous downpours. 

And a different sort of flower waiting to unfurl when the time is right.

And the two of us, drinking it all in.


Savoring the cerulean and cobalt moment.

Happy Fathers Day

Abba

Father

Papi

Dad

Lush

So far, June has been raining adjectives.

Luscious.

Voluptuous.

Fecund.

Lush.