A Mini-Celebration of Summer

And, a big welcome to summer!

This has been a hotter than usual month of June with highs in the 90's. It's most likely balancing the cool May we just had. Anyway, my favorite season of the year has arrived, and I'm happy!

So, in words and pictures, let's have a mini-celebration of summer!

"Then followed that beautiful season...Summer...
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light...."
-Henry W. Longfellow

"It was June, and the world smelled of roses."
-Maud Hart Lovelace

"Woods are filled with the music of birds, and all nature is laughing under the glorious influence of summer."
-Charles Lanman

Summer humor: "A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken."-James Dent

Memories: My grandmother's (Mema's) birthday was in the summer. I always remember her fondly, especially around her birthday, June 23. She was a special person who always tried to make us grandchildren feel special.

In her home, when we were little, she'd have a drawer for each one of us with little gifts she'd put in there for our visit. Her cookie jar was always running over with delicious sugar cookies which she'd make without using any recipe.

Mema's cookie jar now has a special place in our home.

She took her time to help me with my art since she was a naturally talented artist. I still have a painting we did together. In fact, she got my parents and brother interested in art, as well.

One of Mema's Beautiful Paintings

Although she's been gone for many years, her kindness still lingers.

"A simple act of kindness can have a tremendous impact on a person's life."
-Anonymous

"Scatter kindness!"

Happy summer!

Positive thought: "There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart."-Celia Thaxter
Thanks for visiting! Until next weekend, Becky

The Healing Power of Nature, Etc.

Welcome!

Greg and I have really been enjoying the summer, especially the parks.  We seem to be the happiest when we're close to nature.

As you may know, as I mentioned on my last blog post (August 9, 2015),  my mother passed away just recently, and being out in nature seems to have helped me the most to heal emotionally.

There are some beautiful parks in Tennessee.  If you haven't tried them yet, it's still not too late this year.  And, the colorful fall leaves will be here before you know it!  (If you can't come to Tennessee, every state has nice parks, city, state, and national ones, that you might want to check out.)

One park we really liked was beautiful Burgess Falls in Middle Tennessee.  Actually, there are four waterfalls at Burgess Falls!

 

Greg, at Burgess Falls

Reelfoot Lake in West Tennessee is also very scenic.  It's Tennessee's largest natural lake.  We really enjoyed our boat ride when we went a couple of years ago.

Sight-seeing Boat at Reelfoot Lake

Of course, in East Tennessee, we also have favorite parks-

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park has a reconstruction of Fort Watauga.

Becky, at Fort Watauga

At Warrior's Path State Park (not pictured), Greg and I always enjoy walking and riding the paddle boats.

All of the above parks are a photographer's dream.

Other types of healing for me were:

-The "365 Promises" which my thoughtful, supportive friend from Tennessee has been forwarding to me daily.  Not only do the "Promises" have healing scriptures, but beautiful photographs of nature, as well.

-Aromatherapy, which I researched online, was good for me.

-Youtube has some beautiful healing music such as harp music which someone suggested that  I try.

-Talking and/or emailing with a trusted person or counselor can also be helpful.

People, as a rule, seem to be happier when closer to nature.  It's easy to forget about that in our busy, hectic lives with all of our electronic devices, but it's never too late to turn all of that around and discover (or rediscover) the healing power that nature can have for all of us in this big wonderful natural world, just waiting to be explored.

Positive thought: "Walk in sunshine."  (From an episode of the old "Bonanza" TV show.)
Thanks for visiting!  Until Sunday, October 4, 2015 (or sooner!), Becky

End-of-Summer Beauty

Welcome!

"By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer's best of weather
And autumn's best of cheer."
-Helen Hunt Jackson

I've about decided that this is my favorite time of year.  It's still in my favorite season, but the weather is usually calmer right now than earlier in the summer.  The nights are cooler, and everything seems more peaceful.  Some beautiful flowers, including wildflowers, are in full bloom.

Greg and I had a picnic in a lovely park Labor Day weekend.  Afterwards, we went on a stroll through the park, and I took some pictures along the way.

Here are some of those pictures I'd like to share-

"When summer gathers her robes of glory, and like a dream, glides away."- Sarah Helen Whitman

Positive thought: "There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart."- Celia Thaxter
Thanks for visiting!  Until next Sunday, Becky