1073. black velvet painting

 

the wind blew so hard

and the rain poured from buckets

a tree lost a star  🦊❤️

A sudden storm swooped into the evening and put an end to the hot and humid weather. The next morning, the air was clear and the colors were bright, especially the colors of a particular fallen leaf that caught my eye.  Laying on the freshly washed blacktop, I thought about black velvet paintings that were so popular years ago… 🦊❤️

1072. stormy weather

 

a sea of storm clouds

roiling and boiling waves raged

and a seasick shark  🦊❤️

I was at a local coffee shop enjoying avocado toast and a coffee as I stared at the storefront of an art studio across the street. Glad I only drink decaf these days. My mind goes into overdrive when teased by caffeine. 🦊❤️

1071. creepy crawlers

 

caravan of legs

perched atop a stack of stones

soon… only a shell 🦊❤️

I don’t know what this creepy crawler is or any thing about it except what I’ve seen in the past.  Based on previous years, they perch atop things as if to catch the sun… maybe. Then the next time I see them there only remains an outer shell of themselves. As I get older I am very content with just looking and seeing without digging too deeply into knowing the whats and whys of what I’m looking at. I call it the DDD approach… Don’t Dig Deep.  🦊❤️

1070. oreland hardware store

 

nuts and bolts and screws

every nook and cranny full

small town hardware store 🦊❤️

One of the joys in my life is still having access to a small town hardware store as big box stores and Amazon take over fulfilling our every shopping need. I love how every available space is utilized to provide a home for the amazing array of items on hand. All of those items combine to create that special “hardware store smell” that lets me know that I’m going to find what I need there.  I indulge myself multiple times a week at my local store!!! 🦊❤️

1069. tree talk

 

conclave of elders

huddle and pine for days past

sappy memories 🦊❤️

Every time I pass this stand of trees on the trail, I can almost hear a conversation going on among the group.  They’ve passed the years together in such close proximity to each other.  I’m certain they talk to each other. They have seen so many things come and go. I would love to know what they are saying. I would be tickled to death if I could hear them say, “Hey Dan!  How are you today?” I know they do every time I pass by… 🦊❤️

1068. an old lady in prayer

 

in your waning years

you sit and finger worn beads

… mary full of grace  🦊❤️

•••

in the quiet church

your whispered prayers echoing

i sit and listen 🦊❤️

Yesterday we walked into a beautiful Catholic church in Lambertville Pennsylvania. It was mid morning and the church was empty except for a cleaning woman and an old lady who was sitting in the front pew praying the Rosary. I noticed that the church used real candles in their votive candle sanctuary for visitors to light and say a prayer on. Most churches have resorted to using timed electronic candles. I stood silently, pulled out the requested $2.00 donation from my wallet, lit a votive candle and whispered a little prayer. 🦊❤️

1067. sculpted by life

 

in my younger days

i was sharply etched… just so…

now i’m wisely worn  🦊❤️

•••

once bright and brassy

now i’m patinaed with age

softer and smoother 🦊❤️

There is nothing more elegant and inspiring than seeing tools, utensils and pieces of functional art that have survived years of doing what they were intended to do. Their years of service sculpt them into softer and smoother versions of themselves. Some people are lucky to allow themselves to be beautifully sculpted by life’s unfolding drama.   🦊❤️