All posts in category Enjoy Life

Color Me Red! (Lens-Artists #135 “A Glimpse into My World”)

Here in the depth of winter the Lens-Artists theme is “GLIMPSE INTO MY WORLD”. In the midst of all that is black and white around here I use this time to spice up everything in my world with my favorite color—red! Ahhh … a winter break from black and white!

Here we enjoy an absolutely gorgeous, slow autumn. Then after the leaves fall, it’s Christmas, another season where red is a standout. How wonderful the festive colors of the season spruce up and lift our spirits. Fun!

But it pained me to take down the beautiful reds of the decor.

However, to continue the journey through the bleak days of winter around here, Nandina bushes grace many yards. Green in the warm weather, they slowly transform to burnished, bright reds in the winter. And stay that way until spring, when they return to lush green.

Even more, when there’s ice or snow, this happens. The vibrant, red leaves glisten as the ice completely envelopes them, dripping like stunning jewels. Breathtaking!

And while we’re onto reds around here, another brush of red continually draws my eye through my kitchen window. After juggling the camera and ten pictures later I found this one deemed worthy. 🙂

Rust-Tinge

I love all vibrant colors but red always turns my head.

From barns,

to cars,

to mums,

Magnificent Mums

to roses,

to my four-wheeler. 🙂

Capture the Mooon

I’ve even splashed it on a few walls in my home,

Christmas Gift Suggestions

and it graces my front door. 🙂

Welcome Closer

So if you come around here, you’ll see pops of red everywhere! It’s a “country home”, all wood, and plaids, pillows, and throws. I can’t help but share the following quote:

“I’m in love with red. I think it’s such a passionate color. Every flag of every country pretty much has red in it. It’s power. There’s no fence-sitting with red. Either you love it or you don’t. I think it’s blood and strength and life. I do love red.” ~ Brian Batt

I’m no psychoanalyst, but maybe this is why I love red.
And before I close, I can’t overlook one of the ice-enveloped leaves glistening in the shape of a beautiful heart!

Fire and Ice

So, while I’m at it, Happy Valentines! 🙂 (Another winter red holiday!)

Midwinter's Night Dream

“Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Every since WordPress closed its Weekly Photo Challenge, a group of passionate photographers began Lens-Artists. Every week there is a theme hosted by one of the founders of this group, and several guest hosts. This week’s host is Sheetalbravon, a photo blogger from India. We add a link to the photographer who hosts that week. Here is her very interesting blog post for Lens Artists using the theme “Glimpse Into Your World”. I learned a lot.

I’ve given you a small glimpse into my world and I hope you enjoy! Peace, Alexandria

Lens – Artists Challenge #135: Glimpse into your world. – Sheetalbravon (wordpress.com)

31 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on February 14, 2021 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life, Just For Fun, Weekly Photo Challenge

Tagged LENS-ARTISTS, photo essay, photography, winter photography

Posted by Alexandria Sage on February 14, 2021

https://simplysage.org/2021/02/14/color-me-red/

Best of 2019

“And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

It’s that time of year again! To find the best of the best. And as a photographer it’s hard to pick, isn’t it? In these digital times the entire process looms larger than life.

Winter 2019

“In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.” ~ William Blake

Tucked In

A bit of whimsy, irony, paradox, sheer beauty, and of course, weather phenomena–one of my favorites.

Watercolor Wash

As I looked back I tried to pick the vivid, spontaneous moments. Moments that were over almost as soon as they happened.

Spring

“The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring.” ~ Bernard Williams

The Reason for en Guard!

“In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside 24 hours.” ~ Mark Twain

April “Showers” 🙂

Summer

“Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability.” ~ Sam Keen

Summerlight Dance

Rainbow Tease

Intricate Sculpture

Gravity? What’s That?!

Autumn

”Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all. ~ Stanley Horowitz

Striking Pose!

***Christmas***

Heavenly Sights and Sounds!

**“All** **the Christmas presents in the world are worth nothing without the presence of Christ.” ~ David Jeremiah**

Candlelight Christmas Eve. (photo credit: Calvary Church, Charlotte, NC)

Happy 2020!
Peace, Alexandria

I’m trying to keep up with blogging a bit more in 2020 so why not start on this New Year’s Eve by ending the year with a few, just a “few”, of my favorites from this year. 😉 I hope you can bear up!

Anyway, I’m so happy that Tina, Patti, and Amy kept this going and it looks like it will continue next year, too! Thank you, ladies! Patti came up with this week’s theme for Lens Artists. #77–Favorite Photos of 2019. And it’s perfect as this year closes. And I’m glad I got it done before the clock strikes midnight!
Here are their places if you’d like to take a look:

Travels and Trifles
Pilotfishblog
Share and Connect

15 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on December 31, 2019 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life, SimplySage Is...

Tagged inspirational quotes, LENS-ARTISTS, nature photography, photo essay

Posted by Alexandria Sage on December 31, 2019

https://simplysage.org/2019/12/31/best-of-2019/

Christmas Reflections

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.” ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ” ~ Norman Vincent Peale

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ” ~ Roy L. Smith

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” ~ Hamilton Wright Mabie

“I know it doesn’t make sense, but since when is Christmas about sense, anyway? It is about a child, of long ago and far away, and it is about the child of now. In you and me. Waiting behind the door of our hearts for something wonderful to happen. A child who is impractical, unrealistic, simple-minded and terribly vulnerable to joy.” ~ Robert Fulghum, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten

“Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall” ~ Larry Wilde

“God is here. This truth should fill our lives, and every Christmas should be for us a new and special meeting with God, when we allow his light and grace to enter deep into our soul.” ~ Josemaría Escrivá,
Christ Is Passing by

Hello Everyone,

I penned this post originally in 2012. And now I sit here, coffee in hand, early morning seven years later.
Christmas morning, and four grandsons later, marriages that added more ”children”, and I am reveling in our Christmas this year. It was indeed a beautiful sight.

I am exhausted! But …
happy!

I gaze at the empty boxes strewn at the foot of the tree. (Note: I downsized the tree but still try to stuff it to the max! 😊) And I thought I would share this moment with you. No fancy camera, just my phone, so I snapped a photo of the sight. And I recall all the smiles and laughter, especially two four-year-olds who had more fun, I think, throwing tissue paper at each other, forgetting more presents to open. Oh yeah, and ring pops!! In their little world, ring pops rule!

Then there’s the 12-year-old, the age so hard to buy for. What to get??? And what sheer delight when he received an oil paint set and easel, which far surpassed his expectations. A quick run across the room, a great big hug followed, and so many thanks.
Wonderful!

I could write so much more but I’ll stop for now and continue to enjoy the moment! My coffee needs attention!

“For all our high and lofty talk,
We are but children heart-to-heart,
Seeking shelter from the storm,
Places safe and warm,
And love … Outrageous, messed-up, joyous, crazy love.
Just plain love. (Presents under the tree helps a lot, too.)” ~ Alexandria Sage

Merry Christmas everyone!
Peace,
Alexandria

2 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on December 26, 2019 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life, Remember--You Are Loved--No Matter What, Stay Close with Those You Love, Weekly Photo Challenge

Tagged Christian reflections for Christmas, Christmas, christmas photgraphy, Christmas quotes, photography

Posted by Alexandria Sage on December 26, 2019

https://simplysage.org/2019/12/26/christmas-reflections-3/

Wild, Reckless Reclamation

“This world is but a canvas to our imagination.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

Doesn’t it seem children have an insatiable desire to create? And don’t they provide continual delight with constant surprises of that creative urge? I can’t think of a better way to adorn a porch than with chalk.

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” ~ Pablo Picasso

We smile and laugh. We are captivated. Enchanted.

But deep within lies a simultaneous lament, an angst that pains the delight. We look bare-faced at ourselves and realize we don’t do art like children do. We don’t dream like that. The gradual progression of life pushed and pushed, and the weight of the world gradually nudged out the child. And the dreams? Well, they drowned in the cares of life, swirled in a whirlpool down the drain.

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” ~ Thomas Merton

Creativity was meant to feed our dreams throughout life, from childhood to old age. To create an idea, to create vision, then to sing, to draw, to write, paint, build … heal. Yes, to heal. For heaven’s sake, is it not the function and privilege of art to nourish our souls, to rekindle a chord of tenderness in our heart, to keep us dreaming? To keep a continual cycle of dreaming, creating, healing. To keep us … intact.

“The first demand any work of art makes upon us is surrender. Look. Listen. Receive. ~ C.S. Lewis

Children are risky and lavish as they create. They are not gripped with insecurity, fear, or hesitation that bounds we adults. Why are we?

“Creativity takes courage.” ~ Henri Matisse

Should we not reclaim the artist within? As grown-ups isn’t it strange how we must be intentional this time because we have lost our natural inclination to do so? It seems the art of creating and reclaiming our childlike wonder has now become an art in and of itself. An almost lost art. Think of how we “pencil it in our schedule”. But it is so worth the effort, no matter how small.

“The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.” ~ Pablo Picasso

After all, our Creator has the same insatiable desire. Look at the intricate beauty He presents to us everyday, everywhere—the art of heaven. We do well to imitate Him.

And chalk is a great place to start. 🙂
Peace, Alexandria

Travels and Trifles, Lens Artist Challenge #48 “Wild”

8 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on June 1, 2019 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life

Tagged Art, fun, inspirational quotes, LENS-ARTISTS, photography

Posted by Alexandria Sage on June 1, 2019

https://simplysage.org/2019/06/01/wild-reclamation/

“Sea” Points of View—Lens Artist Challenge #136 “S” is for …

The sea. The place for …

Thoughts …
To contemplate … ponder … focus.

Release …
To let go … exhale … relax.

Cleansing …
To wash clean within.

Forgiveness …
You have been forgiven. Therefore, forgive.

Giving …
Gratitude … glory … praise.

Quiet …
Stillness … rest … knowing.

Filling …
To see … inhale … rejuvenate.

Receiving …
Love … grace … mercy … a new dawn.

Noise …
Breeze … waves … seagulls.

Laughter …
Children … laughter. Families … laughter. Couples … laughter.

The sea …

The place that brings out the best in all of us. ~ Alexandria Sage

“How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean.” ~ Arthur C. Clarke

I am grateful for the Lens Artist community, where I show up once in awhile. And this week Patti hosted from Pilot Fish Blog titled “Subjects Starting with the Letter S). For me the “sea” came immediately to mind.
I tried to mirror some of the metaphors that I see and feel whenever I’m at the sea. I am fortunate to be able to live close and go there often. It so rejuvenates me, as nothing else.
I hope you feel some of that sense in what I have shared. EnJoy 🙂
Peace, Alexandria

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #136: Subjects Starting with the Letter–S – P.A. Moed (pilotfishblog.com)

If you want to see what others are doing with this theme, I invite you to visit Amy’s blog.
As well as a few others that I really enjoyed.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Starts with ‘S’ | scillagrace

19 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on February 1, 2019 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life

Tagged inspiration, LENS-ARTISTS, photo essay, photography, thoughts

Posted by Alexandria Sage on February 1, 2019

https://simplysage.org/2019/02/01/sea-points-of-view/

Joy in Weathered Space

November 2011

“There comes a time when the world gets quiet and the only thing left is your own heart. So you’d better learn the sound of it. Otherwise you’ll never understand what it’s saying.” ― Sarah Dessen, Just Listen

When I started this blog in 2011 I had no idea what I was doing. But I had a lot of things going on in life. A lot of sadness. Not due to anything done to me personally. But a lot of circumstances affecting my dearest loved ones and, I guess you could say, the way I hurt for them and tried to help them resulted in my own deep, deep sadness. Hence, I started to write.

December 2011

Every year some new tragic circumstance hit. Numerous things. Fractured relationships, unusual illness, untimely deaths, even a destructive tornado I found myself right in the middle of.

May 2013

Loss, loss, loss. Each year I prayed for quiet and each year the tsunami’s came. And all this is just a fraction of everything.

January 2012

So I created SimplySage. I needed a “happy place”. A place to find joy in the midst of all the sadness surrounding me. Combined with faith and some good friends, I found an additional place of solace here. And I poured out myself to pull out joys in my everyday surroundings. Simple things, really.

February 2012

And as I looked around my eyes opened to ways that nature mirrors some of the sad times. Then, a long-buried hobby of photography revived. And suddenly I found solace in all the beauty that surrounded me. It was as if God opened my eyes to metaphors in nature. Like the one above. In the dead of winter, there bloomed brilliant orange. Wonders like these carried me to indescribable dimensions. Many of them I could not capture. A photo could never do them justice. All I could do was stand in awe.

March 2012

But I wrote and wrote and wrote. And the storms kept coming. And each year I’d wonder “what next?”

April 2012

Then 2017 hit. And guess what. It was a good year. Actually, an amazingly wonderful year. Yes, the bumps and nicks still came but it seemed to be nothing that absolutely cut you to the heart. And there was a lot of love and joy in 2017. Blessings beyond imagination! Laughter returned and filled every part of my life.

But something else happened.

May 2012

I kinda quit writing.

I guess in all the joy and laughter I was just soaking it all up, And I just kept doing that. Soaking it all in. It was, in a sense, a healing balm to me. Yes, there are some scars left from all the troubled years. Some sadness still trickles in as I ponder all the pain. But I guess I needed a break. To just rest in all of it.

It was wonderful.

June 2012

I could sit here and wish and hope for another year like 2017. But there may never be a year like that again. And if there’s not, a few big lessons stay with me as the storms blow in. Here are just a few:

There is no one like the Lord, God of heaven and earth, whom you can cry out to from your heart every minute of the day.
There is nothing like the comfort and truth in His Holy Word, the Bible.
There is nothing like His marvelous creation.
There is nothing like a few close, loving friends and family.
Deep down, people are fragile, and are fighting battles within and without. It’s important to understand why they act like they do; and still be kind.
There is nothing like the kisses and hugs and sounds of children.
There is nothing like gratitude for so many things we take for granted.
There is nothing like a nutritious healthy meal and a good, silent walk.
Joy can be found anywhere, anytime. All one needs to do is look; and be still enough to enjoy it.

As to writing and this blog? Of course, I will continue! Not making any promises, but I will be here. I thank you, my community of readers, for being here. I don’t take your visits lightly. I don’t equate you in terms of “traffic, stats, or bots”. You are friends. And a part of the joy in all the pain. I welcome you always.

2017, Best Photo

And as for 2017, for now I say, farewell. I will never forget you.

Peace,
Alexandria

Weekly Photo Challenges:

Weathered

2017 Favorites

10 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on January 12, 2018 • Permalink

Posted in Be Content With Who You Are, Enjoy Life, In All Things Do What Is Right First, In All Things Do Your Very Best, Remember--You Are Loved--No Matter What, Stay Close with Those You Love, Take Care of Yourselves - Body and Spirit

Tagged Christianity, devotional writing, God, photo essay, photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on January 12, 2018

https://simplysage.org/2018/01/12/2017/

Wrapped in Pink Silk

It was a day like any other. Dawn.

First things first: Put on the coffee, dog out, blinds up–which wakes up the cat; thus, feed the cat. Pour first cup. Turn and watch. Astonishing.

Fog threads spin across the field.

A few minutes pass and something new comes with the rise. Spinning threads; a blush, then a pink. A soft, silken, baby pink.

And it was gone in five minutes.

A glimpse of glory. God’s gift, wrapped in blush, silken garments. So serene. Lovely.

EnJoy 😊

Peace,

Alexandria

3 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on December 3, 2017 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life

Tagged beauty, God, photography, spirituality

Posted by Alexandria Sage on December 3, 2017

https://simplysage.org/2017/12/03/blush-pink/

Once, We Were Young

“Two golden hours somewhere between sunrise and sunset. Both are set with 60 diamond minutes.” ~ Horace Mann

As another autumn (and another birthday) are upon me, and as I face the daily blows of life, this is always a time of reflection of who I am, where I’ve been, and how I am to face my next year of life.

I finish the year attending to important deadlines and mail that piled up over summer. I try to stuff the idea of the holidays for now, as I’m just not quite ready.

When I feel particularly burdened about something, I remember how easy it was when I was a child. And I yearn to go back there.

And it’s dawns on me how little of life is spent during those wondrous years.

What is it about being a child that’s so wonderful? The laughter, the chatter, the sheer delight of everything! Think of it. Their smiles, great big hugs, and very wet kisses! Their unconditional love. Their close bonds with family; aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents. The humor. Their innocence. Their nonsense! It’s all so magical and enchanting.

We were all children once. And then one day we woke up and began that rocky trip to adulthood called “adolescence”.

I remember that time. I was not ready at all and I didn’t want to let go. I distinctly remember the summer that spending untold hours in my best friend’s pool no longer captivated us. Instead, we started sitting around just “talking’ by the pool, rather than playing in the pool. I remember feeling so sad about that. My friend and I even discussed it because we didn’t understand why. It didn’t take long to figure it out. But still, we were very sad to see our carefree days slip away so fast.

And adulthood stayed; it never transitioned into another stage. For me, it swiftly outlived its welcome.

Plus, I discovered that we are adults for the majority of our life. And we are adults the rest of our lives. As we constantly deal with the blows and stressors of the adult years, how much do we look back and long for those days as children?

Yes, at times we thought they were dreadful; like when mom and dad said no to candy. (What could be worse!) Or how we couldn’t trudge through the house after building a snowman. And vegetables … ugh! Those vegetables! As adults we laugh at the perplexity of those “problems”, don’t we?

It’s so short … childhood. And adulthood … it’s so long … and so serious.

The thought struck me about those two golden hours—how the sun gets to beam and glow, even finger-paint and watercolor—the sun gets to play just like a child. Everyday. For two solid hours! Morning and night.

I wish during those two hours—sunrise and sunset, that we could become children again, for real.

Just two hours! But can you imagine, just imagine, what would happen in this serious world of adulthood?

Think about it. In some places it would be absolutely hilarious; others, a complete disaster! No, we couldn’t do that, of course!

But at sunrise and again, at sunset, could we not use those times as markers to get our attention, to cultivate an hour to release the cares and seriousness of adult life. And just glow!

Maybe we can’t just abandon our post in life to utter nonsense and irresponsibility. But maybe we can let go of life’s burdens for a bit. Maybe stop and just enjoy that golden hour, even for a little while. Smile. Laugh. Release ourselves inside, for a moment, to utter nonsense!

Like a child.

Once, we were young. Can we not be again?

Photo Credits: The spectacular orange Indonesian sunset goes to my friend and guest author, Stephen Deal. Probably one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. Thank you, Steve!

Peace,
Alexandria

4 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on October 23, 2017 • Permalink

Posted in Be Content With Who You Are, Enjoy Life

Tagged Children, inspirational quotes, photo essay, photography

Posted by Alexandria Sage on October 23, 2017

https://simplysage.org/2017/10/23/once-we-were-young/

Deep Space Collage

“To go boldly where no man has gone before.”

Star Trek. The theme quote. A timeless story.

Aside from Star Wars, it’s possibly the most popular sci-fi series of all time. I loved that show. Captain Kirk—the gutsy, cunning, yet vulnerable leader was a character I most admired! Star Trek, the great predecessor of Star Wars. Still to this day they are both sheer, utter enjoyment.

Space fascinates us, doesn’t it? Huge star ships floating with grace. Hyperspace! Vulcans! Other exotic humanoids (yuk, some of them I could live without ever seeing!)

And who doesn’t love a full moon or a starry night? The constellations that have guided mankind for millennia are mind-boggling.

But did you know you could travel deep space right outside your door? It’s always been there. A space that, once entered, holds as much beauty as the stars in the sky.

Take just the rose, for instance. It’s been out your door all this time You forge ahead in your day, maybe glance up at the sky, or in your phone, as you rush by, day in and day out.

But have you ever once thought to stop? And finally travel in? Or taken a real camera and captured it? I don’t know—maybe phones these days can do it, too

By gently separating the delicate petals, you can. Yes, they might press against your lens, which you’ll have to clean after. (Such work!)

But the trip is genuinely worth it, isn’t it? Take in the symmetry, the order of this collage of wonder; its beautiful design.

Take some time and enter into the deep space right outside your door. Waiting for you. All these years. Ttop and look. Play around a bit with angle and depth. You’ll behold a wonder you never imagined. Go boldly where few take the time to go.

And you’ll wonder why it took so long.

This is my contribution to the Wordpress Weekly Photo Challenge with a previous theme, “Order” and the current theme “Collage“.

The designs I find in nature seem so random. Yet they are not. Even in the wild woods that surround me, there is this combined symmetry; a collage that fits together perfect. Our Creator is a master of design. Stop and take a look around you. Don’t dismiss the designs. The order. No matter the collage that is your life, which perhaps at times seems more like chaos, the majesty within nature reminds you of His presence.

Peace, Alexandria

First two photos credited to Sean M. Smith. The rest are by mine, taken with Sony DSLR.

6 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on July 12, 2017 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life

Tagged beauty, Christian devotionals, enjoy life, nature photography, photo essay, spirituality, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on July 12, 2017

https://simplysage.org/2017/07/12/deep-space-design/

Still Friends After All These Years

“To get the full value of joy you must find someone to divide it with.” ~ Mark Twain

“Friendship arises out of mere companionship when two or more of the companions discover that they have in common some insight or interest or even taste which others do not share and which, till that moment, each believed to be his own unique treasure (or burden).

The typical expression of opening friendship would be something like, What? You too? I thought I was the only one!

… It is when two such persons discover one another, when, whether with immense difficulties and semi-articulate fumblings or with what would seem to us amazing and elliptical speed, they share their vision – it is then that friendship is born.

And instantly they stand together …

in an immense solitude.” ~ C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves”

“You are still my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what’s a life, anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die. A spider’s life can’t help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone’s life can stand a little of that.”

~ Charlotte, Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

“How we need another soul to cling to.” ~ Sylvia Plath

This is my entry for the Weekly Photo Challenge. The theme is “friend”. I chose to interpret it in a metaphoric manner. To encapsulate that word in one photo would be impossible for me. Where do I begin??

So this post is in honor of my own wonderful world of life-long friends; who’ve clung to my soul, despite all my quirks and failures, good times and trying times. Thank you. I love you. You are life’s greatest gifts.
Peace,
Alexandria

Credit to Stephanie Goddard for the first photo. Capturing these four friends mid-air with such clarity is a photographer’s dream. And Stephanie does it so well. How well I remember jumping off these very cliffs in my own life with friends such as these. For more of Stephanie’s fine work visit White Horse Photography You will not be disappointed.

3 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on June 4, 2017 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life, Stay Close with Those You Love

Tagged enjoy life, family, friendship, inspirational quotes, photography, thoughts, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on June 4, 2017

https://simplysage.org/2017/06/04/still-friends-after-all-these-years/

ShadowLands

Moon Shadows Moon Shadows

“Shadow is the obstruction of light. Shadows appear to me to be of supreme importance in perspective,

Sun Shadows

because, without them opaque and solid bodies will be ill-defined;

Cinderella Shadows

That which is contained within their outlines and their boundaries themselves

Snow Shadows

will be ill-understood unless they are shown against a background

Long Shadows

of a different tone from themselves.” ~ Leonardo da Vinci

Shadow Friends

“Friendship is the shadow of the evening, which increases with the setting sun of life.” ~ Jean de La Fontaine

Tree Shadow

“The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.” ~ Michelangelo

Me Shadow 🙂

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows fall behind you.” ~ Walt Whitman

Peace,
Alexandria

This is my contribution to the Weekly Photo Challenge theme of “Shadow”. I hope you enjoyed. 🙂 Click here for more interpretations.

3 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on February 14, 2017 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life

Tagged enjoy life, photo essay, photography, quotes, sunrise photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on February 14, 2017

https://simplysage.org/2017/02/14/shadowlands-2/

Christmas Reflections

“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.” ~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ” ~ Norman Vincent Peale

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ” ~ Roy L. Smith

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” ~ Hamilton Wright Mabie

“Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall” ~ Larry Wilde

“God is here. This truth should fill our lives, and every Christmas should be for us a new and special meeting with God, when we allow his light and grace to enter deep into our soul.” ~ Josemaría Escrivá,
Christ Is Passing by
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(thismansjourney.net)
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Year (tapiocadance.wordpress.com)
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(quotesqr.com)

4 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on December 26, 2016 • Permalink

Posted in Alexandria Sage Poetry, Enjoy Life

Tagged christmas blogs, Christmas photography, Christmas quotes, LENS-ARTISTS, photo essay, photography

Posted by Alexandria Sage on December 26, 2016

https://simplysage.org/2016/12/26/christmas-reflections-2/

My Local Artist

This week I’m featuring the photography of my favorite local photographer.
(Be sure to turn up your screen brightness for these.)

His chosen profession is law enforcement. He’s one of those gems—giving out more warnings than tickets, soft-spoken, oh-so-witty, and just plain smart. But there’s a little known fact about this tough-looking officer.

He’s a natural born artist.

Star Blanket img_7352

The story goes that at age two, he drew a detailed sketch of a train that was shockingly accurate. It’s true. I’ve seen the picture.

In school, he didn’t exactly draw. Or color. He “sketched”. He turned down crayons and insisted on colored pencils and by fifth grade started a new trend. According to his art teacher, all the kids wanted colored pencils! They thought if they had colored pencils they could “sketch” like him!

Thinking he was headed for a career in art, in middle school he took up the piano. (By now, I think you know this police officer-artist is none other than my son.) 🙂

Until I could find a piano teacher I quickly gave him a “Pattern Piano” DVD instruction set. He watched a bit and I distinctly remember his voice, “I think I got this figured out.” And off he ran to the piano.

It seemed in no time, he was playing beautifully, without lessons. I’m not sure he ever finished the DVD’s. He still plays to this day; and it’s lovely.

Then he did the same with guitar, as well as singing and harmonizing. No joke.

He took up photography in high school and was off taking pictures of everything, finding the beauty in the small and unnoticed.

And this week he upgraded his camera—big-time I’d say!—and has been out and about, capturing the local countryside. These are some of the results and I will let you be the judge. But I think they are stunning. Click on each one for a fuller view. It’s definitely worth it!

I know it sounds like I’m exaggerating but I’m truly not. Just ask his sisters! All full of sugar and spice, they are pure sweetness. They’re smart and artistic, too, but they admit, without hesitation, their brother’s artistic gifts confound them. Of course, they’re not shy about telling anyone either!

This is my contribution to the Weekly Photo Challenge with the theme “Local“, featuring the photography of my own local artist, my dear son. I’m glad he’s out taking pictures because my life’s been a bit full as of late. He might fill in for me a bit but I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. At all! 🙂

Peace,
Alexandria

6 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on October 16, 2016 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life

Tagged nature photography, photo essay, photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on October 16, 2016

https://simplysage.org/2016/10/16/my-local-artist/

Lost in the Details

“Wherever you are, be all there.” ~ Jim Elliot

Life is made of a myriad of moments, a multitude of details. It’s so easy to be overwhelmed with all the big stuff of life that we overlook the fine-tuned details that surround us. I’m sharing a few little details I captured, most of which I walk past everyday.

“The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.” ~ William Morris

I’m glad these things vie for my attention because they have a way of actually getting it, catching my eye, making me stop … and take a moment.

“After all, it is those who have a deep and real inner life who are best able to deal with the irritating details of outer life.” ~ Evelyn Underhill

“All the details of life and the quirks and the friendships can be laid out for us, but the mystery of their writing remains.No amount of documentation, however fascinating, can take us there.” ~V.S. Naipaul

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Whatever moment you are in today, whether joy or pain—never dismiss the moment, the detail of your very place. When you think about it, the only moment that truly exists is the one you are in right now. So stop and hold onto it for a moment.

Some moments are times to embrace and absorb joy. For the difficult moments we need to receive love from sane, safe friends and family. It’s okay to not always be the giver or to have all the answers or to have everything together.

Cherish the good moments, learn from the difficult. I found the following drawing and thought it details the true reality of life. May it bring a smile to your face as it did mine.

I hope it increases your joy as you trek your own crooked path. 🙂

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“If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.” ~ Maria Edgeworth

Peace,
Alexandria

This is my contribution to the Photo Challenge theme, “Details”.

7 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on July 20, 2016 • Permalink

Posted in Be Content With Who You Are, Enjoy Life

Tagged enjoy life, photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on July 20, 2016

https://simplysage.org/2016/07/20/lost-in-the-details/

Opposite Attraction | Moonstruck

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“Look how the pale queen of the silent night
Doth cause the ocean to attend upon her….” ~Charles Best, “A Sonnet of the Moon”

Light and dark. Opposing forces. Both strong in their own right. Both necessary to our human existence. These opposites are not offended whatsoever when one space invades the other.

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“Moonlight is sculpture.” ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

For nothing shows their contrast best than when they invade the other’s space. They actually flourish together. Both are resplendent in beauty.

They are a remarkable, blinding, spectacular pair.

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“Together, we form a necessary paradox; not a senseless contradiction.” ~ Criss Jami

It is said opposites attract. In nature it seems to be a constant. But our human nature seeks to avoid what is opposite.

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“A man is a very small thing, and the night is very large and full of wonders.” ~Edward Plunkett

Though we can draw many lessons about light and darkness, the opposites in nature serve only to enhance each other. The moon shines brilliant. Stars sweep across the black sky in a breathtaking swash. Yet there is no complaint from the sky as these intruders invade its space.

Why, we humans even invade and see what happens? All so lovely!

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“The night walked down the sky with the moon in her hand.” ~Frederick Knowles

Perhaps we should not fight our opposites whoever they may be. As dark sky “walks down the moon” to merge in a shining display, and we add our playful silhouettes, can we not do the same with each other?

Would we be any less spectacular?

Peace, Alexandria

This is my contribution to the Weekly Photo Challenge with the theme “Opposite”. The theme can be interpreted in so many ways but I chose the contrast of light and dark. For others, click here.
P.S. Apologies if you received this twice. The link didn’t work on the first one. I think it’s fixed on this one. 🙂

13 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on July 5, 2016 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life

Tagged night photography, photo essay, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on July 5, 2016

https://simplysage.org/2016/07/05/opposite-attraction-moonstruck/

Curve Around the World

FullMoon

“There is something particularly special and personal about the circle and how its curves comfortable rule every aspect of our lives.” ~ Kat Kahr, Parallelism of Cyclicality

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In choosing photos for this week’s photo challenge with the theme “Curve” I’m featuring some favorites from the past. They include photos by Dan Pope, Stephanie Goddard, Stephen Deal, and yours truly. I’d appreciate if you’d explore the links. It helps me as I test my new .live domain.
Thanks and do EnJoy. 🙂
Alexandria

Be Thou the Rainbow
“Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life. The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, and tints tomorrow with prophetic ray.” ~ Lord Byron

The Master Speaks
“A chief event of life is the day in which we have encountered a mind that startled us.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

LoveSong
“Love moves in sync with the cadence of forgiveness, sings in tune with the melody of acceptance, and dances in rhythm with the music of companionship.” ~ Steve Maraboli

Friendship Formulae
“To get the full value of joy you must find someone to divide it with.” ~ Mark Twain

The Beauty of a True Friend
“You have been my friend. That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what’s a life, anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die. A spider’s life can’t help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone’s life can stand a little of that.” ~ Charlotte, Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White

LifeLines
“Life forms illogical patterns. It is haphazard and full of beauties which I try to catch as they fly by, for who knows whether any of them will ever return?” ~ Margot Fonteyn

13 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on June 20, 2016 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life

Tagged inspirational quotes, photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on June 20, 2016

https://simplysage.org/2016/06/20/through-the-years-curve-around-the-world/

Purely Summer

Purified

With summer in full swing here, I’m going to change things up a bit. Increased family demands and just loving the outdoors has nudged out any time for writing so I’m taking a break from it this summer.

Evening Blush

But with the camera as a welcome part of the demands I’ll be sharing more photos.

Arrival of Morn

I’m trying to take part in the Weekly Photo Challenge hosted by WordPress, my blog platform. But I hope to share in-between as well. The writing will be brief, three-hundred words or less. After all, I’m sure you have plenty of other summer reading to do!

Fire over Water

For this week’s Challenge, the theme is “Pure“. My mind went several directions until I finally settled on some photos of the ocean. Since the beach is my “go-to” place to purify my heart, I thought I’d share some favorites. Be sure to turn your device to landscape to capture the full purity of the views. Makes a difference! 😊

Zoom for a closer look. Turn phone to side

Dawn. Crisp, Clear. Pure. Zoom in to see a crescent moon. Stunning!

Storm over Water

Then there’s the storms and artistry of clouds. So settling. Cleansing!

Wind over Water

The breezes gently sweep and scatter all the busyness that inhabits my mind. It clears the clutter and tidies up my heart and with renewed clarity, I can focus on what’s really important.

Pure Morning

I am swept clean! Purified!

I hope you’ll enjoy my upcoming summer “short series”.

Let’s have some summer fun!

But most of all, have a fun summer! 🙂

More soon,
Alexandria

P.S. SimplySage is in transition. It’s gone from simplysage.org to simplysage.me to simplysage.live. It takes several weeks for search engines to re-index my site so I’m kind of lost in internet space right now. The .me and .org do not work.
I’ll spare all the reasons. If I explain I’ll go way beyond three-hundred words! 🙂

For other interpretation of “Pure”, click here.

12 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on June 13, 2016 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life

Tagged enjoy life, joy, photo essay, photography, summer fun, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on June 13, 2016

https://simplysage.org/2016/06/13/beach-photos/

Best Buds |Weekly Photo Challenge: My Happy Place

When I saw the photo challenge titled “Happy Place” the words that immediately came to mind were “travel destinations”—places that invoke that glorious feeling of combined rest and joy, one definition known as “happiness”. I thought of places I’ve been (North Myrtle Beach).

or places I’ve dreamed of going (Moorea).

When I went to Acadia National Park (above) I thought, “Oh, now this it. This is the ultimate, the place to unwind, to get away.” I was happy!

However, travel can bring its own stresses, as we all know. The planning, packing, and getting to-and-from can be tiring. You’ve heard people say, “I need a vacation from my vacation!” 🙂

It can feel like chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,

or trying to truly capture the presence and majesty of another breathtaking moonrise,

or that ever elusive butterfly.

But when you’re in immediate and desperate need of joy, finding a happy place cannot always be found by thumbing through travel guides for yet another trip or even dreaming of those places.

It’s times like that I totally forget a happy place that lives right out my front porch. Most of the time I find I’m looking beyond it, rushing past it toward some goal, the “next thing”, that place called “when I finally get there, I will be happy!”

I forget the happy place staring straight at me. It’s a place where they’re straining their necks to grab me, to get my attention, to make me stop in my haste to happiness and see that they are what I really need;

that they live, they thrive, they exist to make me happy! (I’m convinced they serve no other purpose.) They are my never-ending friends, through every season, through every joy, through every sorrow. They are constant and oh, how I take them for granted!

They remind me that we both endure some thorny paths and sticky situations,

that I’m not the only one out there feeling so alone,

drowning in life’s demands,

and kind of hanging by a thread,

or in need of a hug;

that while we pass each other everyday in the coming and going, we can still rise and hold our head high, together, and shine in the sun!

You see, when you have best buds you can find happiness no matter where, no matter what. 🙂

I write this in honor of my friends and family, my “best buds”. Thank you for being just a phone call away. I always miss you.

Peace, Alexandria

2 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on October 21, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Be Content With Who You Are, Enjoy Life, Remember--You Are Loved--No Matter What, Stay Close with Those You Love, Weekly Photo Challenge

Tagged flower photography, joy, love, photo essay, photography, relationships

Posted by Alexandria Sage on October 21, 2015

https://simplysage.org/2015/10/21/best-bud-my-happy-place/

These Are a Few of My Favorite Grids | Weekly Photo Challenge: Grid

Relaxing in the screen grid

As I looked at the Challenge this week with “Grid” as the theme, I perused through my pictures. And it was amazing to me how much of my everyday life is filled with design.

Grid bench, where I enjoy my favorite flower.

Be it work, home, or play I’m constantly living life in a myriad of grids. Why, I glance at my desk right now and it’s filled with cubbies of lovely baskets and throws and it’s grids bring warmth, reminding me of my favorite things. And so, I thought I’d share a few with you.

Rust-colored trees border a grid fence. Barren beauty. (Sometimes I feel like that. Sigh …)

I think deep within all of us there is a hunger for design, composition, and order. Perhaps it’s because so much of life is unpredictable and seems out of control. But then we’ll see something beautiful. And we’ll snap a picture.