M.C. Escher?

Even Turtles Smile.......

I didn't take these photos, but I liked them so much I wanted to share. In high school I was an enthusiastic M.C. Escher fan, and couldn't help but notice the similarities in the melding of the cyprus trees and the reflections - or maybe I just like the whole idea of melding......and the turtle, you gotta love the turtle.....

Cowboy And His Horse

There is a special bond between a kayaker and his/her kayak. When waters get rough, and waves test your limits your friends may or may not be able to help. Ultimately it's you and your kayak - melded; unable to tell where the energy from one ends and the other begins.

In fact, if you look closely you may notice that kayakers begin to resemble their kayaks (or is that the other way around?). Some are bold and strong, some playful, others practical, or creative and hand-built, but each one unique and special. Kayakers can recognize other kayakers from a distance - by their boats. This relationship is analogous to a cowboy and his horse.

So, you can imagine the concern this evening when a good friend became separated from his kayak. Thankfully, kayaker and kayak were reunited, and at this point injuries appear to be repairable........I hope to see both of them on the water again soon.

In the Shadow of a Balloon

one day i took a hot air balloon

into the sky of my mind

and i drifted toward a twilight-scented place

and there i met you

i recall

you were in your own hot air balloon

flying and swirling like the way a dream would take us

and sweep us away….

i want to reach the clouds

you said

my head’s full of them

i said

mine too!

where are you headed?

i don’t really know

is it somewhere between the land and the sea

and the blurry edges of reality?

it seems so, that’s where i’m stuck

me too!

you smiled and i smiled back

as our hot air balloons caught the same wind

it’s better to fly, isn’t it?

definitely better than walking on earth

exactly!

we laughed together

so where are you headed?

i don’t really know myself

is it somewhere between life and fantasy

where the edges of the earth meet the universe?

it seems so, that’s where i’m stuck

you smiled a friendly smile

then let’s take this journey together

you reached out your hand

and i instinctively took it
then we tied our balloons together with the silken string of our minds

knotting our pearly dreams and weaving our luminescent thoughts

through them

as we sailed our iridescent imaginations

with fantasy as our only reality-

for we had caught the same wind you and I

and ran into each other across space and time

and we found we were able to paint ourselves

a new horizon with the paintbrush of our dreams

and the magic of our minds paving the way

to a different kind of future

-Poetry by Erika (a very talented young woman)

Iowa State Fair

According to the best-seller '1001 Things You Must Do Before You Die' the Iowa State Fair is one of the things you must see. It's great for animals, art, people watching, outdoor music, and photography - but I'm pretty sure they weren't referring to most of the food.........

Friendly faces......


Colorful Sights......

Adorable kids......

And sometimes.......rainbows.

Books

While moving this accumulation of recent summer reading material I decided to share some reflections: The Art of Racing in the Rain, and Olive Kitteridge were entertaining, as was The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, except that title was a mouthful. Omnivore's Dilemma, and The World Without Us are thought provoking. Other resources, including the not pictured photography and nature journals, and confusing self-help type books finished up the summer's list. Keep sending your recommendations; I need a new list for the winter. :)
"In the book of life, the answers aren't in the back."-Charlie Brown

The Journey Begins

Photography by Ben Erbes - Thanks, Ben!
Double Click on Photos to Enlarge.

White Coat Ceremony

Luke's Place

Cool Architecture

Many new journeys and adventures, actually....... Luke is starting his next life chapter at Washington University, while Jen and Ben contemplate ER residencies and PhD programs, and Lydia completes the admission process for Vet school........and me, not such lofty goals anymore -I'm just going to see if all these feathers I've collected are enough to let me fly.

Slimey Green Goo

The Lake 'turned over' - the algae floated to the top forming a thick green icing.....not so nice in daylight. Late night darkness it's worse. Evidently the fish don't like it either. A really huge one jumped out of the water from the left, hit me smack in the face, slapped the side of my head with his tail, strewing green goo in every direction, as he escaped to the right vanishing into the lake as quickly as he'd come.....remember, it's total darkness.....easy to get lost too....one more fellow kayaker unlikely to let me lead the way on another trip..... :)

Stormy Weather

Crazy kayakers!

Calm Before the Storm

Farmer's Market

My Hot Air Balloon Adventure was cancelled today due to high winds........what a disappointment, I was actually terrified but more than ready to tackle my fears and hopefully get some awesome photographs. If anyone hears of another opportunity let me know........ BUT I discovered they have orchids at the Des Moines Farmers Market....



....and I enjoyed a beautiful kayak sunrise on the lake......

.....and took a few photos of Lydia's new place.

Just To See You Smile

Photography by Dan McClanahan

Cool Hand Luke

He's off to Wash U Med School - Best of Luck....and all my love.

More Kayaking Photos - Haida Gwaii

Haida Carvings - this is a sea monster. :)


Morning Reflections


So cute....so curious.....all of his buddies in the background - but he comes forward....there's always that 'special' one......


Ninstints (Sgang Gway)


Camping....a means to an end.....but the stars and moon were too beautiful to miss.......

Haida Gwaii - Kayaking the Pacific Northwest

Kayaking the BC Coast - New Friends, different cultures, passionate people, gale force winds, adrift in a zodiac in the Hecate Strait (!!), whales, bear, rain forests and moonbeams, totems, promises of future travels, Northwest Coastal Art, tales of the Haida Gwaii, and much, much, more.......but, tonight my heart returns me to Iowa....where there is a warm breeze and a full moon........maybe somewhere in my hundreds of photographs is that 'one' special, unique photo............until then, these will have to do......