I went for a very long walk today; given the weather god was presenting a “quick...this won’t last long” window of opportunity I seized it and enjoyed the changing of the seasons.
There is something special about a fall walkabout. I motored along for the first half which brought me to a little diner where I stopped for breakfast.
It was on my return, with a full tummy, that I took in the offerings Mother Nature was sharing.
In this set of photos I have chosen to get in for a closer look...sometimes that's what it takes to really see what is there.
And since I know you weren’t with me on my walk, I took these photos to share with you. I like to pay it forward, so enjoy! (click to enlarge and really get in close, like I did)
This last photo is from my garden...a happy gnome makes for a happy home!
A footnote:
As I write this, and get ready to press publish, I hear the rain pelting down on my porch. Wee dog is a wet mop...she has just been out communing with Mother Nature.
Many of you deal with horrific weather so I try not to complain about a little rain or the damp chill of winter - I am grateful and I do thank the weather god for gifts like today.
Do you make the most of a beautiful day? What do you do when the sun breaks through the clouds and calls your name?
Cheers, Jenny
PS - the Header and Background are taken from a photo on this outing.
Mother Nature at her very best. How blessed we are to have the privilege of soaking up her majesty and splendour. I don't do it often enough. Thank you for providing this wonderful opportunity to do so today.
ReplyDeleteThank you for checking in with me and Mother Nature. She truly does work wonders...when she's not out creating havoc on the rest of the planet. I count myself lucky for living where I do. :)
DeleteNice collection! Happy weekend
ReplyDeleteThanks Claudia - I enjoyed taking these photos! Happy weekend to you too! :)
DeleteHi Jenny - loved the photos .. and I've kept your post on making headers etc .. Loved that tree .. mind you I'm very fond of ancient walls, ivy and those wonderful spurts of colour we get ... Sounds like an excellent walk - breakfast on the way ... and Ms 4 legged pooch will be happy too .. Have a great weekend - mother nature is due to give us sun tomorrow! .. Hilary
ReplyDeleteThis was one of those unexpected, spontaneous outings where I just headed out in a direction, stopped for breakfast, and found myself walking much slower afterwards. (ate too much)
DeleteI took about 200 photos, many not worth keeping, many not worth sharing...and then there were a few, these, I thought I'd put out here for those that don't get to see some of this in their neck of the planet.
You have a great weekend too, Hilary, thanks for stopping by! :)
I agree with you on taking a closer look - it often reveals so much unobtrusive beauty. Love especially the last roses *sighs*, the crack in the wall and the tree trunk (reminds me a bit of those tiny sea shells that "grow" on rocks).
ReplyDeleteI love the roses too at this time of year...those brave enough to hang on to the very end. I find watching life hang on as death pulls nearer so fascinating.
DeleteI took a photo (didn't make the cut...not the right angle) of a tomato plant, still trying to produce fruit only to be wrapped in dying vines - just amazing.
Thanks for stopping by Martin - have you been out taking photos lately?
Some weeks ago I enjoyed splendid autumn colours in a wine-growing area nearby.
Deletehttps://picasaweb.google.com/118078015263955468175/Autumn?authuser=0&feat=directlink
All I can say, Martin, is that I am very envious of your outing...my how I long to be in the wine hills in Germany, in particular the Fellbach area. It was not as spectacular as that area in your photos, but I loved it.
DeleteThere is something truly magical about running in der Weinberg. Wunderbar!
Lucky you!
I love these photos of the beautiful nature Jenny and think it's awesome that you have such beauty in and around your local area even during Winter, it really makes me appreciate the beauty around me even in wet and cold Northern Ireland though I doubt I'd find photos as wonderful as these.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note I checked yesterday and the status says the package is currently in Ireland!!! I'm so excited as that means it'll be arriving on Monday!
Hey Matthew, I suggest you bundle yourself up and head out for a walkabout...you would be most surprised by what "pops" up when you start looking.
DeleteThis stretch that I found these photos on was just a regular street, nothing special about it...I just saw things because I looked...I wasn't rushing by in a hurry to get somewhere else.
If you do get out and about some time, I'd love to see what you captured in your lens. I bet there is amazing beauty all around you - I've been told your part of the world is stunning! (have a gal pal that toured most of Ireland and she fell in love with it)
On that side note...I've been tracking it too and Monday most definitely is "the day"! I'll look forward to hearing from you when you finally have it. ")
Wow! Great pictures. :-)
ReplyDeleteI actually quite like the rain, especially grey drizzly mornings on the beach, watching the crazy people kite surfing.
Hi Ermie - I'm a rain fan too...not so much for long walks in it, but I love the sound and smell of rain.
DeleteA grey day at the beach I imagine is a photographer's dream! I'm going to have to put that on my "to-do" list and get out and capture the beauty on one of our many beaches. :)
We like to walk in the woods and spot flowers, fungus, and shapes hiding in the shadows. On a trail near to home, there's a branch that looks like a hummingbird sitting on the tree, a mossy stump that looks like a bear, and a the roots of a fallen tree that make the head of a stag. Then there's the faces in tree trunks - the ent or troll peering at us from the side of the trail.
ReplyDeleteSometimes beauty lies in the broad majesty of seas and mountains, sometimes it's in the little details like you've captured so clearly here.
You are in heaven when it comes to were you live and what is available for you, and your family, to enjoy when going for a walk.
DeleteI loved living in the Courtenay/Comox valley...gosh, I can close my eyes and hear the water lapping on the shore down at Goose Spit - a favourite spot of mine, when I lived there. Yup, next to my little slice of heaven yours is where the gods actually live.
Thanks for dropping in and leaving such a wonderfully visual comment. I would love to see you post some photos...I'm now a little homesick for those days so long ago. :)
Nice collection of closeups! Images of nature overtaking the concrete that man has set in their midst.
ReplyDeleteI've been seeing mushrooms popping up, but they don't last long. We walk when there's sun, and often, with an umbrella.
Yah, what's with all the mushrooms?! The other week I was letting Wee Dog out the back door and there before me was this sea of mushrooms on my back lawn...literally overnight!
DeleteThe ones I saw on my walk were quite intriguing. My mother, a self-proclaimed expert, gave me the lowdown...poisonous, so she says!
I'm glad you get out and enjoy what this city has to offer...yes, umbrellas are a staple when walking...hahahaha! That's Vancouver for you! :)
Beauty is everywhere, if only you stop and look. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous pictures. :)
ReplyDeleteYou said it, Linda...it is all around us, trick is to take it in. Thanks for dropping by and taking a look. Cheers, Jenny
DeleteHi Jenny. What a lovely set of photos for us today, from your walk, and how wise of you to seize that window of opportunity! I think photos are really good when you get in really close. That cheeky little gnome would certainly make me smile every time I looked at him! Thank you for your hug over at my place - it certainly felt good!
ReplyDeleteGosh Diane, what are good bloggy friends for, if not to send hugs out when needed.
DeleteFeel free to take that "cheeky" little gnome along with you...he's bound to keep you smiling I know everyday, when I walk past him, he sets my face to smile mode! :)
These pictures are indeed beautiful. My favorite is the one of the tree with that weird pucker looking thing. Reminds me of Grandma.
ReplyDeleteYou make me laugh, thank goodness you exist! Ah, the fun we could make out of the poor tree's pucker! *giggling here* But, the reference to Grandma works too!
DeleteThanks Al - I now have a big smile on my face (I'm in the midst of putting the finishing touches on a difficult to write post - it will be out there in the next few days) so your comment was just what I needed as a little deviation. Cheers, Jenny
Yes, when the sun is out, I'm out too. I'm spoiled by California weather, though it's raining here too.
ReplyDeleteThose pictures are beautiful, Jenny, especially with your screen background. My favorite is the cherries/berries. Very nice!
Take care.
xoRobyn
You are indeed lucky, Robyn, California weather is quite appealing. I spend every second year down there for a little visit and must say I could get used to it.
DeleteThat being said, I am a fan of four seasons and we get them here, mild and easy to take, but still enough variation that I don't tire of any one of the four.
I liked the berries too, something festive about them - felt myself getting in the mood for the upcoming holidays.
Thanks for dropping by. :)
Gorgeous pictures! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Donna...I was just thinking how we all have something special in the places we live, the trick is finding it...or more to the point, taking the time to find it.
DeleteThis walkabout was literally a five mile walk around my home...and in my slow steady meandering I found the beauty often overlooked as we hurry past to another place. I had the time and the weather was on my side! :)
Wonderful photos, I am loving all the contrasts and textures and for some reason I am really drawn to the stome steps. Perhaps it is the lines or the curiousity as to where they lead.
ReplyDeleteI escaped yesterday, when the sun was shining. Jumped in the car and indulged a passion.
The steps are a favourite of mine too. I was quite taken by them, in fact, after taking that photo I started noticing steps and found myself with quite a few photos of them...these were truly the most interesting. Like you, I like the mystery of "where" the might lead.
DeleteI read about your escape...fun to indulge passions, and an art store is a great place to start, or end up! :)
My favorite is the water filled mushrooms. Somewhere nearby is a small village filled with tiny people and that is their water tower!
ReplyDeleteGosh...that is a story waiting to be written. I can just see it, funny how one's imagination can take an image and see so much more than that which is obvious. But then, I get that every time I read your posts...you have that special way of seeing things - and writing about them.
DeleteThanks for stopping by, Bushman...I've been wondering how deer season is unfolding! :)
Hi Jenny, hope you're well.
ReplyDeleteWonderful pictures - I love the gnome :-)
I'm well, Sarah - how are you? What a delight and moment of happiness I had when seeing your avatar, and comment, here. Thank you for stopping by and taking in my photos.
DeleteThe little gnome is one of my favourite garden treats...I smile every time I pass him and his little entourage. (he has a few buddies)
I hope to see you up and posting again, dear Sarah...I have missed you out here. :)
when the sun comes out to play i like to go for walks and just absorb the beauty around me
ReplyDeleteGood on you, Becca, for taking in the offerings of a walk on a sunny day to enjoy the beauty around you.
DeleteAnd, dear Becca, a special thank you for always answering my end of post question - you rock!
Wow. You certainly do have an eye for beauty Jennykins! I could feel your excitement and sense of wonder through the pictures.
ReplyDeleteI'm tickled that my "excitement and sense of wonder" was visible in the photos. Indeed, Rev, I found myself quite captivated by the small details I started to notice as I slowed my pace and took in the beauty around me.
DeleteWhat was most interesting is the effects of water on the things I saw; decaying fence posts, moss covered stairs, rotting plants, leaves starting to decompose...it was fascinating to really "see" this and appreciate the power of the elements. :)
Nice photos, Jenny.
ReplyDeleteThat tree trunk is pretty interesting.
Thanks, Ruth! That tree trunk is one of several I noticed, when I started actually looking at trees on my little outing. Fascinating to say the least.
DeleteThanks for dropping by! How's that lovely bedroom doing...all set up? :)
A couple things came up so I am still waiting on shelves, but the closet is done.
DeleteBest part- NOT sleeping in the living room.
How are your renos going?
Funny you should ask, I just had my "guy" in to get things rolling. I finally decided not to tear the house down and go for full blown renos. Given the time of year he will start on some inside issues and then come the New Year we will go full tilt at it both inside and out.
DeleteIt has been quite a roller coaster ride because of the rezoning...it's been a tough decision which way to go. But, in the long run, I thing the renos are the best option and then a coach house on the back of the property.
Glad to read you are "in" your bedroom, and hopefully you're catching some great ZZZZ's.
Look at you! Gettin' all fancy with a coach house. ;) If you can, post pictures of the progress.
DeleteMore like an oversized dog house....hahahaha!
DeleteYah, they are going to town here with massive densification and I'm in the hot zone, so I can build upto 3600s.f. of accommodation on my lot.
My current house is only 1800 sf top and bottom combined, you do the math...it'll be a monster coach house. (I'm roaring with laughter)
But, it's the silliness of the whole thing...it costs a fortune to build a new house in this overpriced city so I'm going to keep the existing one and build the coach house for me, around 1500sf, then use the old house as a rental...to my darling offspring so she can start paying her own mortgage and get some equity.
That's the plan as it stands...will be posting about it as it gets underway...but that's still a few months down the road.
I love going on walks with people and seeing the photos posted! Thanks for the lovely walk, Jenny.
ReplyDeleteHi Karen - thanks for joining me on my walkabout. I enjoy visiting blogs where I get to see sights I might not normally see, so I feel it's important to share my journeys too.
DeleteGood to have you stopping in! :)
Thanks for sharing these with us.
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome, Miss Happy Whisk - I love to share! :)
DeleteThese are beautiful, Jenny! I love the pictures of the bright flowers - so needed this time of year when everything in my part of the world is brown and rust. Raking will be in my forecast for the week. =)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing these with us - you brightened my night!
I wished there were more "flowering" ones to show, but alas, this time of year I was lucky to catch the ones I did.
DeleteWhat I liked about those flowers is seeing some still hanging on and actually flourishing amongst the dead blossoms...funny thing the circle of life in nature is; it never ceases to amaze me.
I'm glad they brightened your night, Elsie - and that brightens mine. :)
your lovely photos make me want to get outdoors for a bit today :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you live somewhere sunny - yesterday, today and for the rest of the week we are in for heavy rains. So getting out when opportunity knock is so important, particularly in my neck of the woods where November is the month of rain!
DeleteThat being said, walking in the rain can be quite cathartic. Thanks for stopping by. :)
I love ivy so much! It is so elegant and strong and covers all that is ugly or grey. And I love those little wonders that we discover during walks in the nature or in the park or woods....
ReplyDeleteYou and me both...there is something about ivy on a concrete wall that changes the look of concrete. The second photo is the one I used for my background and header. I played with the header so it would look like one piece until one starts to scroll.
DeleteIt is those little wonders that really make an outing so special - and they seem to give continued joy long after the actual outing has come and gone.
I hope you get out and enjoy the beauty around you too! :) Love seeing you here!
Great photos. I love to get out and walk when I can. Not long ago I took come great photos of Chicago as I went for a ramble downtown on a sunny fall day.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like stopping for breakfast on the morning walk. I love going into a diner, but sadly around here there is only McDonald's, Burger King or Dunkin Donuts. Not exzactly a healthy breakfast LOL
I know I left a reply for your comment, Mel - but as I venture back her to add another reply I see yours is missing...yikes, because it was a good one (if I do say so myself).
DeleteBut...dear, Melissa, what I had said, oh so slyly, was that the "diner" I so coyly speak of was Micky D's...yup, it's the truth! Coffee and Egg McMuffin...and off I went! So you and me, sista, are singing from the same hymn book! Yes siree, we are! :P
Gorgeous photos! I love to do the same thing when I walk. It's fun to explore such a scenic locale. Thank you for taking us along. And I love the gnome! He made me smile. :)
ReplyDeleteAlso, thank you for your comment on my blog today. It touched me deeply. Beautifully said, Jenny. Thank you, again. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a happy holiday season.
I left you a comment back on my blog but I wanted to visit you here, too!
Every home should have a happy gnome! I smile every time I walk past that little guy.
DeleteThanks for coming along, albeit vicariously, on my little walk about. :)
And...your are most welcome, Pam...I keep you in my thoughts and talks with the Universe, always wishing you the best. Hugs.
I will never look at ivory upon the rocks the same after seeing your lovely pictures here Jenny.
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa...I know you mean ivy...but I think ivory upon the rocks would be a lovely sight, not to be forgotten too soon. :) The ivy is something, isn't it, the way it can cling to anything.
DeleteI took the ivy photos off the walls surrounding a cemetery it is quite amazing to look at.
Thanks for stopping in and looking at my photos. :)