Softly The Evening Came

See! he sinks Without a word; and his ensanguined bier

Is vacant in the west, while far and near

Behold! each coward shadow eastward shrinks,

Thou dost not strive, O sun, nor dost thou cry

Amid thy cloud-built streets.

~ Rev. Frederick William Faber ~

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How fine has the day been! how bright was the sun,

How lovely and joyful the course that he run!

Though he rose in a mist when his race he begun,

And there followed some droppings of rain:

But now the fair traveller's come to the west,

His rays are all gold, and his beauties are best;

He paints the skies gay as he sinks to his rest,

And foretells a bright rising again.

~Isaac Watts~

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Softly the evening came.

The sun from the western horizon

Like a magician extended his golden want o'er the landscape;

Trinkling vapors arose; and sky and water and forest

Seemed all on fire at the touch, and melted and mingled together.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow~

Beach Reunion

It was strange to be at the beach with no children in the group (not that some didn't act like kids). It's a totally different dynamic with all adults age 59-82 just hanging out together. We did lots of visiting, eating, strolling on the beach, taking pictures, and just catching up on each other's lives. Now when you add the next 3 generations, that becomes a large and lively bunch indeed! We actually have that party once a year as well.

I Heart Faces~Focus On Hands

I heart faces is changing things a bit this week with their photo contest.

Focusing on Hands instead of faces.

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These are hardworking man-hands in their favorite

'coffee-break position'.

Check out the other great 'Hands on Fun' entries at~

Astonishing

3 cloudless days at the Oregon coast~

Rare!
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7 siblings and their spouses that all enjoy being together~

Astonishing!
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Getting us all to the beach at the same time~

Astonishingly Rare!
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The top photo in this next set is of the baby shoes that were made into a plaque by their Dad many years ago. It hung on the wall until their darling Mom passed away 3 years ago at age 99. At that time it was cut in 7 peices and given to the original wearers. Now it comes together whenever they do.

We Have Begun Pruning

in earnest, now that it's the middle of February.

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All gardens, even the most native and naturalistic, benefit from the hand of an artful pruner. In this season where the garden is poised for the green flood of springtime, remember that our gardens are co-creations, shared with mother earth. And like any good mother, she expects you to tidy up your room. Now get clipping!
~ Tom Spencer ~

Spring has returned. The Earth~

is like a child that knows poems.

~Rainer Maria Rilke~

Awake, thou wintry earth~

Fling off thy sadness!

Fair vernal flowers,

laugh forth Your ancient gladness!

~Thomas Blackburn, "An Easter Hymn"

Every spring is the only spring -

a perpetual astonishment.

~Ellis Peters~

'We Love Kisses' at I Heart Faces

The theme is Kisses at i heart faces~in honor of Valentine's Day~so in honor of the cutest couple also having their anniversary this month (and because I captured this kiss photo at the beach a few weeks ago) this is my entry for this week's photo contest. Happy anniversary Russ and Heidi!

Check out other great 'kiss' photos at~