Life Blooms

"We are not here just to survive and live long...
We are here to live and know life
in its multi-dimensions
to know life in its richness,
in all its variety.
And when a man lives
multi-dimensionally,
explores all possibilities available,
never shrinks back from any challenge,
goes, rushes to it, welcomes it,
rises to the occasion
then life becomes a flame,
life blooms."--Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh, 'The Sacred Yes'

As the long, hazy days of summer evolved into the cooler, more abbreviated, first days of fall, I lamented that my photographic opportunities were diminishing as well. Many of the multi-hued plants and interesting insects I’d enjoyed capturing over the past months were going dormant and the trees seemed weeks away from their riotous, colorful change of clothes. Little did I know that from our late summer rains would emerge an astounding variety of intriguing shapes, colors and textures. On one lunchtime walk alone, I captured seven completely different species of mushroom. Among the most beautiful was this massive golden specimen that bloomed beneath a giant oak tree.—Sue Ivy

The Strongest Oak in the Forest

"The strongest oak of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It's the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for its existence against the winds and rains and the scorching sun."--Napoleon Hill

Love and Loyalty

"Dogs come into our lives

to teach us about love and loyalty.
They depart to teach us about loss.
We try to replace them, but never quite succeed.
A new dog never replaces an old dog;
It merely expands the heart.
If you have loved many dogs,
Your heart is very big."—Erica Jong

Life's Tiny Delights

Most of us miss out on life's big prizes. The Pulitzer. The Nobel. Oscars. Tonys. Emmys. But we're all eligible for life's small pleasures. A pat on the back. A kiss behind the ear. A four-pound bass. A full moon. An empty parking space. A crackling fire. A great meal. A glorious sunset. Hot soup. Cold beer. Don't fret about copping life's grand awards. Enjoy its tiny delights.--Author unknown

Blooming Outside Our Windows

"One of the tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon, instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today."--Dale Carnegie

While not a rose, this pretty, petite, purple flower has a rose-like quality. I found it “blooming” along the path on one of my daily walks. In my quest to properly identify this intriguing little plant, I learned that its name is Prunella vulgaris but it is commonly known as Heal-all. It is a perennial that thrives in partial shade in low woods, thickets and pastures. Despite it’s classification as a weed, it has several healing qualities. It has astringent properties that can be used to heal wounds and staunch blood flow. It is also said to be an effective treatment for sore throat, boils, colic, and other gastro-intestinal ailments. A wondrous little weed, indeed.—Sue Ivy

Love is Always Changing

"We take love for granted. We assume we are all perfect lovers and all we need do is wait and our love will grow and blossom as readily as a flower in spring. Not so. Love doesn't grow unless we do. It takes patience, knowledge, experience, determination, and every positive trait we possess. In addition, love is always changing and unless we stay aware and change with it, it eludes us."--Leo Buscaglia

In Summer Luxury

"When all the birds are faint with the hot sun, and hide in cooling trees, a voice will run from hedge to hedge about the new-mown mead; That is the grasshopper's--he takes the lead In summer luxury--he has never done with his delights, for when tired out with fun, he rests at ease beneath some pleasant weed."--John Keats

Good in Everything

"And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything."--William Shakespeare

This time of year many of the rural farms of North Carolina are bejeweled with these gorgeous, pink, trumpet-like flowers. Their vivid, fragile beauty—in such contrast to the deadly nature of the towering, lethal [tobacco] plants they adorn—confirms my faith that there truly is good in everything.—Sue Ivy