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

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.

Inhale the forest through the grid. Ahhh….

Everyday we’ll snap pictures of moments. And they become a small piece of peace to latch onto and it all nourishes our soul, doesn’t it?

Grid grill. Yum! One of my favorites!

Perhaps they remind us that in that very photo we destined order in our chaotic world.

Light within the grid … shine for me, please.

Our eyes searched for and found the grid. We put composition where it was not.

Clean ovens

The grid shines through. (Sigh … it’s that time again!)

We found design in small things. Like a clean oven. 🙂

Friendly ferns love the grid, too! Grids make a space for everyone, especially friendly ferns!

I don’t know about you but all of these pictures make me smile. I brought a piece of order and composition to my own chaotic world.

My favorite beach grid. Yes, here I come!

And they make me happy. Very happy!

A grid to play with bugs. Fun!

And isn’t happiness what we’re all searching for?

Revived skill behind a grid. Pleased. Very pleased.

So, as you go about your day, look around.

Singing in front of the grid. Inspirational!

Find the grid. Snap the picture. Tell your story. But tell it to yourself first.

Mmm … yes, lock me behind this grid forever!!

Then sit back and smile. And be happy!

Let this grid warmth fill me all year long! It’s coming soon!

For happiness abounds! 🙂

Peace,
Alexandria

For more entries for the Weekly Photo Challenge with the “grid” theme click here. Have a great week!

8 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on September 21, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life, Take Care of Yourselves - Body and Spirit

Tagged finding happiness, nature photography, peace, photo essay, photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on September 21, 2015

https://simplysage.org/2015/09/21/these-are-a-few-of-my-favorite-grids-weekly-photo-challenge-grid/

Hydrangea Joy | Weekly Photo Challenge: Vivid

Vivid

Grand

Generous

Abundant

Joy-giving

Smile-maker

Favorite flower

Enjoy!

Peace,
Alexandria

10 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on June 9, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life

Tagged flower photography, photo essay, photography, poetry, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on June 9, 2015

https://simplysage.org/2015/06/09/hydrangea-joy-weekly-photo-challenge-vivid/

Fragile, Handle With Care | Weekly Photo Challenge: Broken

“Words and hearts should be handled with care, for words misspoken and hearts when broken are the hardest things to repair.” ~ Unknown

Ever do this? Say something then feel the immediate twinge of regret? You wish, how you wish, you could somehow take them back. But they stick like glue. Sometimes they are just casual, oh so casual, “I didn’t really mean it.”

We utter them right off the top of our head, just because we need to talk–oh, how we need to talk, to say something—oh, how we always need to be saying something.

Sometimes they are tinged with hints of sarcasm—just enough hint to hurt.

Sometimes we lash out in anger. And that’s the worst kind—so far from kind.

And then there’s the so unkind kind that cuts … deep, sometimes scarring to permanence—like a car that’s been wrecked and declared totaled. Total damage.

If we would but look into the eyes, we would see the heart of each.

But no, we shrug away, whispering, “So what.”

1-DSC_0150-001

Our culture actually takes pride in telling someone off. We hang on to the brash words of reality television and celebrate the celebrity spewing trash-talk. Bullying is a problem among our children. It’s like we celebrate hate.

What have we become?

Yes, conflict is part and parcel of life. But my mother used to say “Fight nice.” The word hate was so repulsed it was never allowed in our home, under any circumstances. Not even an “I hate brocolli!” was permitted.

Words can build or destroy. Choose them wisely—choose to soothe, heal, protect, build.

Why not declare to say, today, words tinged with, dare I say, … love?

And if you have nothing to say, it’s perfectly okay to just say nothing.

“Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent.” ~Proverbs 17:28a

Spent, or Well-Spent?

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” ~Plato

This is my contribution to the Weekly Photo Challenge with the theme “Broken”. I chose to use the theme in the context of “words”, which can break and shatter as powerfully as they build and heal.

Our modern world is filled with an abundance of them. Sometimes even one sentence can wreak a force as destructive as a volcanic eruption. (Think Twitter with its mere 160 characters. It packs a powerful punch, doesn’t it?)

Our WordPress community continues to be a safe haven for words, a place where thoughtful expression is wrapped in respect for everyone. I’ve found it to be thus far, and I hope it continues.

“Let your speech be always with grace.” ~Colossians 4:6a

Peace,
Alexandria

For other interpretations of the Broken Challenge, I hope you’ll take some time and visit here. You’ll enjoy the endless creativity of WordPress photographers, both amateur and professional. Enjoy! 🙂

13 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on May 26, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Remember--You Are Loved--No Matter What

Tagged flower photography, inspirational quotes, photo essay, photography, thoughts, Visual Poetry, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on May 26, 2015

https://simplysage.org/2015/05/26/fragile-handle-with-care-weekly-photo-challenge-broken/

Stormscapes | Weekly Photo Challenge: Forces of Nature

Was once a time when we were young,
Our starts were quick, our limbs grew strong.
We hung together filled with glee,
Flexing bough with gust or breeze.
Sheltered safe from ocean’s roar,
We dwelt far from its shore.

And then one day out from the sky,
From whence it came the ocean’s cry.
The breeze grew gust and gust grew strong,
From gentle breeze to thund’rous roar,
Caught off guard our branches soared.

Soared and stretched
and ripped and retched,
Snapped and torn and yanked from ground,
Some carried away, never to be found.

We tried to keep our footing firm,
Desperation, terror churned.
Our roots clenched tight with every turn.

Huddled with our branches tight,

We clung to each other for dear life.

Then suddenly quiet, it was gone,
Swift it came and it moved on.

And in that instant we were changed,
Youth was stripped, innocence ravaged.

Destruction looming large surround,
Our hearts were crushed, pieces on the ground.

But we rose proud, starting small
And once again we grew tall.
Most of us grew scarred and bent.
A few of us grew quite grotesque.

And those that clung with locked embrace
Grew woven, as wounds would not erase.

Thirty years have come and gone,
Remnants borne from that great storm.

But God in His great grace adorns
our scars, and places some would see
are hid by seasons’ finery.

And winter bears a rarity,

For now we do curve gracefully!

This is my contribution to the Weekly Photo Challenge with the theme of Forces of Nature. The forces of nature surround us. They can inspire or they can devastate. But always there is purpose, re-creation, re-growth.

Look at these trees that endured a horrific storm. What about the storms in our lives? Surrounded with so many vivid reminders to—stay the storm, stand together, lean on one another, hold one another—why is it so hard for us?

These trees and other forces of nature find a means of survival through one another, and by it, find healing. Should we do any less?

Peace,
Alexandria

14 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on May 10, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Alexandria Sage Poetry

Tagged Forces of Nature, nature photography, poetry, relationships, tree metaphors, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on May 10, 2015

https://simplysage.org/2015/05/10/stormscapes-weekly-photo-challenge-forces-of-nature/

Locomotion| Weekly Photo Challenge: Motion

Motion

Commotion

Locomotion

“There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a person being themselves. Imagine going through your day being unapologetically you.” ~ Steve Maraboli

This is my contribution to the Weekly Photo Challenge theme of Motion. As you can see, a child is a perfect picture of never-ending motion … and locomotion … and commotion! All wrapped up into one!
EnJoy!
Alexandria

5 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on April 26, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life, Just For Fun

Tagged Children, family, fun, inspirational quotes, joy, photo essay

Posted by Alexandria Sage on April 26, 2015

https://simplysage.org/2015/04/26/locomotion-weekly-photo-challenge-motion/

Fire and Ice | Weekly Photo Challenge: Early Bird

It was back in January and I am up before dawn, carving a wondrous niche of solitude for myself at the early bird hours.

And it’s January. Frigid and dark. And so begins my worst time of the year. Curled up in my fluffy robe, I hug a steaming cup of coffee. In the clutches of deep suffering, my heart is a solidified mass of stone. (See Reward’s of Winter)

But suddenly out of the darkness, a glint catches my eye. I peer out the window and there it was.

There it was, all melting the chill that seeped into every crevice of my stone-cold heart.

A purple haze of light rises. Oh January, why beckon me! Why taunt me! I’m all cozy and wrapped up tight! Just like my heart! Wrapped up tight these days! The last thing on my mind is taking pictures! You know I don’t like you anyway! Oh January!

Beautiful and brilliant it was! All fiery and cold. Stepping onto the porch I press my nose against the ice cold screen.

The holidays are a mere memory. Blah, bleak days are here. Days that drag on … and on … and on. But here comes January, showing off.

And here I go, throwing a down coat over my robe and running out the door with only an iPhone. Oh January, I know you’ll run from me if I don’t get out there! And YOU, only YOU could do this to me! But anyway, you got me out here. Now show me what you’ve got!

And so, January delivered–an early show filled with purple’s and magenta’s, lights and darks, glaring and glinting off bare branched trees and surly cloud covers.

Fire and ice mingle and I’m in near tears over it. Oh January, perhaps the reason I don’t like you is because I am so much like you.

Fire and ice.

Stubborn. Determined. Self-centered. Show off. Oh, look at you, January, you show-off!

Cold. Rude. Impatient. Angry, a fire-brimming volcano. (I’m not proud of that.)

And so loud sometimes! Stop it, January!

But alas, I see you are all of those things and none of those things. For what I’ve come to realize is you are just filled with … passion. You come on so strong because of your complexity.

You are passionate about life, love, passionate about everything.

All fire and ice.

You’re so, so … so …
human.

Human … just like me.

Why would I ever treat you with such disdain? Oh, January, I’m so sorry. Come near, my friend. Every year come near, and keep me company.

You’re so beautiful.

This is my response to the Weekly Photo Challenge theme of Early Bird, in which we were challenged to get up early and explore the morning light. As usual, nature’s visual’s carry my mind to the endless lessons I learn about life. I hope you enjoy.
Peace, Alexandria

10 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on April 24, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life, Stay Close with Those You Love

Tagged friendship, photo essay, relationships, sunrise photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on April 24, 2015

https://simplysage.org/2015/04/24/fire-and-ice-weekly-photo-challenge-early-bird/

If These Walls Could Speak | Weekly Photo Challenge: Wall

If these old walls,
If these old walls could speak
Of things that they remember well,
Stories and faces dearly held,
A couple in love
Livin’ week to week,
Rooms full of laughter,
If these walls could speak.

If these old halls,
Hallowed halls could talk,
These would have a tale to tell
Of sun goin’ down and dinner bell,

And children playing at hide and seek
From floor to rafter,
If these halls could speak.

They would tell you that I’m sorry
For bein’ cold and blind and weak.
They would tell you that it’s only
That I have a stubborn streak,
If these walls could speak.

If these old fashioned window panes were eyes,
I guess they would have seen it all –
Each little tear and sigh and footfall,

And every dream that we came to seek
Or followed after,
If these walls could speak.

They would tell you that I owe you
More than I could ever pay.
Here’s someone who really loves you;
Don’t ever go away.
That’s what these walls would say.
That’s what these walls would say.

Lyrics by Jimmy Webb, sung by Amy Grant

This is my contribution to the Weekly Photo Challenge with a theme of “Wall”. My son took photos of this plantation near our house. It is owned by a family who chose to keep their ancestral home for sentimental reasons. The grounds are kept up but the house and buildings are gradually dilapidating. There’s a poignant sadness to see such a grand home now stand in silence when once it was filled with life. I think the song lyrics say it all.

For more creative “Wall” Interpretations click here.

12 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on March 15, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Stay Close with Those You Love

Tagged Amy Grant, Amy Grant If These Walls Could Speak, Children, family, photo essay, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on March 15, 2015

https://simplysage.org/2015/03/15/if-these-walls-could-speak/

You Are My Sunshine | Weekly Photo Challenge: Orange

“Some think love can be measured by the amount of butterflies in their tummy. Others think love can be measured in bunches of flowers, or by using the words ‘for ever.’ But love can only truly be measured by actions. It can be a small thing, such as peeling an orange for a person you love because you know they don’t like doing it.” ~ Marian Keyes

A paintbrush swathed in shades of orange,
Lavished sky with broad, bold strokes.

A space of gold,
A slice of time,

We breathe,
and lose breath

at the marvel of such artistry.
No words.

Just time,
… beauty,
…. peace
….. and love.

This is my response to the Weekly Photo Challenge with the theme “Orange”. Click here to see all the other “Orange” creativity.
Here’s a few of the many others I liked:
Say It With a Camera
Don’t Throw Away That Orange Peel
Travels and Trifles: Orange: Last, But Not Least
EnJoy!
Alexandria

11 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on March 13, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Simply Poems

Tagged Art, beauty, love, photo essay, poetry, Weekly Photo Challenge, you are my sunshine

Posted by Alexandria Sage on March 13, 2015

https://simplysage.org/2015/03/13/you-are-my-sunshine-weekly-photo-challenge-orange/

Reward’s of Winter

It’s no secret that I suffer through January and February.

Bleak skies, sleet, snow. Daily news intakes of major regions buried in snow and ice. Makes me thankful that it’s a rarity here.

But we still get our share of these elements to halt traffic, down power lines, and interfere with even the most mundane aspects of life, like walking the dog or getting the mail.

A little slip can put you quickly out of commission, not including the countless minutes of time-after-time of swaddling in coats, boots, and gloves to scurry our furry friends out for their repeated rituals!

Since I commute nearly an hour to work, added preparation is a must and I keep an overnight bag ready for everything. Rainboots, snowboots, thermals, down coat, raincoat, snacks, water! Brrrr…..Grrrr!!!

Like I said, I suffer.

But lest I lead you astray with the title of this write and leave you wondering how I could find any reward of winter, interspersed in all this dreariness are glimpses so dreadfully beautiful I could cry.

Nature is alive. Alive with anomalies to abate my suffering soul.

To thaw my freezing whine of heart and melt it into a wine of gladness.

Nature is complete and utterly at peace with itself during this chilling time,

And makes beauty in ways unimaginable, unexpected, and unexplainable.

I think of our nation a century ago and all the strenuous winter preparations that were commonplace day in and day out. They were absolute necessities as our ancestors faced these elements head on. My mere preparations pale in comparison.

Here I sit and gaze out my window, blanketed in the modern conveniences of heat, indoor plumbing, hot water at every tap, an insulated home with insulated windows, even a back-up generator … just in case.

And I think I’m suffering.

How trite. How miniscule.

Thank you, O Creator, for showing me otherwise.

Oh yes, and lest I leave out one more reward of winter, here he is! Grandson number two. Born right in the middle of cold February. It didn’t snow or ice during his birth. But if it had, well there’s the four-wheel-drive.

Like I said, I really suffer! 😉
Peace, Alexandria

2 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on March 8, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life

Tagged Children, enjoy life, family, photo essay, photography, thoughts, Weekly Photo Challenge, winter thoughts

Posted by Alexandria Sage on March 8, 2015

https://simplysage.org/2015/03/08/rewards-of-winter/

Dressed in snow

Hello my friends,
February found me in quite perplexing predicaments. This is a good news, bad news, good news post. First the good news: the arrival a new grandson. 😊

Next the bad news: the massive attack on my body of a flu, the likes of which I never knew existed! At least twice I thought I would be added to the statistics of those who did not survive. For real.

But I’m now into my second week of recovery, antibiotics and such. Yes, I was the wonderful recipient of all that follow-up respiratory gunk, the details of which I will spare.

But I finally turned the corner. Hence, good news again. Yes!
I look forward to holding that sweet grand soon! (And helping my tired daughter!) Many thanks to Daddy and all the friends and other family who stepped in to help! And kept me brimming with homemade soups!

I finally emerged from the quarantine and returned to a post in progress but it’s still simmering on the back-burner (i.e. not done).

In the meantime, since blog reading is such wonderful company during convalescence, I couldn’t help but share Julia’s post about snowmen. The whimsical snowmen pictures brought laughter and a huge smile. Great medicine for me! I think you’ll agree! Her blog is called “Defeat Despair“.
EnJoy!

And I’ll be back soon! Alexandria

Defeat Despair

Nearly four days after the snowfall, our yard still looks like this.
March 1, 2015, Yorktown Virginia

“It felt as though the whole globe was dressed in snow. Like it has pulled it on, the way you pull on a sweater. Next to the train line, footprints were sunken to their shins. Trees wore blankets of ice..” ― Markus Zusak

Just when I thought we were in for a fairly mild winter, February happened. And happened again, and again. Not just in the DC area, but also near our York home, near your home (probably) and near the homes of seemingly most of the people I know. Facebook was showered with “Winter Wonderland” collages, each more enchanting than the last. Currier and Ives had a digital update.

One great thing about this late-winter snow, at least in southeastern Virginia, is that it lingered so long that the kids had a…

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1 Comment

by Alexandria Sage on March 4, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in SimplySage Is...

Posted by Alexandria Sage on March 4, 2015

https://simplysage.org/2015/03/04/dressed-in-snow/

Love on a Grand Scale: Happy Valentine’s Day

Twin Hearts

Dear Readers,

Did you ever hit the “publish” on accident when your post is not ready? Well …. that’s what happened today! And, as you know, once the deed is done, you can’t turn back!

Midwinter’s Daydream

Anyway, maybe you’ll enjoy these photos—my favorite’s for Valentine’s Day.

Heart’s Aflutter (photo author—unknown)

I might add a few more, and a few “sweet” sayings.

Companionable

But right now, I’m in the midst of helping with a new grandson and he’s my current “flame”. It’s what I call love on a “grand” scale!

Grandmother’s Shift, Both “Children” Sound Asleep!

Need I say more? 🙂

Happy Valentine’s!
Alexandria

3 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on February 15, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in True Love Is...

Tagged be my valentine, Valentine's Day, Valentine's Day quotes, Valentines quotes

Posted by Alexandria Sage on February 15, 2015

https://simplysage.org/2015/02/15/love-in-any-size-happy-valentines-day/

Serenity Lost and Found

Serenity Lost

I sought for signs so I could hear
The sound of solace to my ear
To comfort raging heart within
But sound of silence deafened In-

side the corners hid from all
I could not walk but only crawl
Hands clenched tight
So filled with fright,

Endless tossing turning night
Roadblocks loomed, no end in sight.
My breath escaped, my heart did pound
The grief at loss, with nothing found.

But suddenly I heard a voice
Within the wind, the sea—a choice.
A child’s touch upon my cheek
So soft and warm, my eyes did peek.

And clenched hand opened with that touch
Unfolding quiet, in a hush
And fingers joined upward to reach
In prayer position to receive

The grace one needs to live each day
And hear the voice in dawn’s sunray,
In children’s laughter, birds that sing,
Crickets chirp and bells that ring.

Living, loving intertwine
And peace shines forth in rain or shine.
I look for signs and I do miss
The loudness shrieking in my midst.
For He is here
And He is not silent.

Serenity Found.

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.”
~ Psalm 19:1-2

“Wisdom shouts…”
~ Proverbs 1:20a

{Poem and photography by Alexandria Sage}

6 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on January 24, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Devotionals, Simply Poems

Tagged Children, Christian devotionals, Christianity, joy, photo essay, poetry, sunrise photography

Posted by Alexandria Sage on January 24, 2015

https://simplysage.org/2015/01/24/serenity-lost-and-found/

ShadowLands

Moon Shadows Moon Shadows

“Shadow is the obstruction of light. Shadows appear to me to be of supreme importance
Sun Shadows

in perspective, 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

Me Shadow 🙂

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

Peace,
Alexandria

10 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on January 11, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life, Just For Fun

Tagged Cinderella Castle, Disney photos, fun, inspirational quotes, moon photography, photo essay, photography, sunrise photography, WordPress

Posted by Alexandria Sage on January 11, 2015

https://simplysage.org/2015/01/11/shadowlands/

2014: So, What’s New?

“It’s time to rise and shine. Wake up and make the day mine. In this brand new world. I’m at the starting line.” ~ Unknown

In these United States the main form of modern communication is now text or email. Being a culture on the mega-move, we’ve gradually resorted to a number of cliché’s to reduce wordy material or communicate big ideas in as few words as possible.

Our language is woven with phrases like “please summarize” and “just cut to the chase”, or “say it in a nutshell”. (Origin: Pliny tells us that Cicero asserts the whole Iliad was written on a piece of parchment which might be put into a nutshell.)

My personal favorite is the latest method of email to my manager: “Bullet points only, please.” I like that she adds “please”. 🙂

This is what I see when I think “bullet points”. 🙂

But for someone like me, it’s all highly problematic. Words fill my mind from morning to night, desiring a written home. But time constraints wisp them away, gone forever. Plus, brevity must be accomplished lest I lose all you wonderful folks to the land of Rip Van Winkle!

I try to be brief but what’s a girl to do who can ping a life lesson from something so simple as a solitary tree? One glance and I’m off!

Lo, How We Age

“Oh, oh, oh I could write, from morning to night, words flood my brain, like torrents of rain, but minutes skip past, and they’re out with a blast, of wind-tossed aloft, and cannot be caught. But I do catch a few, to share here with you.” That’s from yours truly here. 🙂 See what I mean?

But my annual report arrived from WordPress. Total visits. Top posts. Countries. So, bullet points it is! Hence the title “What’s New?”

First, what’s new is record-breaking traffic:

15,000 views, up from 2013 and over twice the 2012 traffic.
Grand total: Nearly 39,000
136 countries. Thank you very much for stopping by, whomever and wherever you are!Top Five Posts:
1. Christmas Reflections This holds first place since published in December 2012. It’s a personal favorite of mine and the starlight on the photos were a glorious accident with an iPhone lens that was probably smudged! Take a look and see what you think!2. Thanksgiving Reflections Another post from 2012 and it remains at the number two spot since published.
Both of these are ever popular during the holidays and can be found on the first page of Google and Yahoo search engines during the holidays. How do you suppose that happened??? I don’t rightly know but I’m not complaining!

3. Me, My Selfie, and Someone Else from the Weekly Photo Challenge theme “Selfie”, an irresistible word-play for me. Check it out and you’ll see what I mean.4. On Top of the World Adventures in my love of parasailing and my favorite crew in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.5. Inside the Thorns {A Poem for You Today} You just have to read the poem. It’s necessary for everything thriving, not just surviving.One other point:
193 new readers, bringing my total to 653. Hello and thank you!

So that “sums it up”, “in a nutshell”. 🙂

“O God, I could be bounded in a nutshell, and count my selfe a King of infinite space.”~ William Shakespeare

Farewell Fourteen!
Alexandria

4 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on January 10, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Just For Fun

Tagged flower photography, fun, inspirational quotes, photo essay, poetry, tree metaphors, WordPress, writing

Posted by Alexandria Sage on January 10, 2015

https://simplysage.org/2015/01/10/2014-so-whats-new/

November, Gold at its Finest

November.

That golden month.
Shimmery, glittery,

Dripping Gold.

Gold waves flutter against azure sky.

Sun shatters, splits, scatters light.

Blinding good.
Hmmm. And people think real treasure is found in golden coins.

Think again!

Gold—Strong. Malleable. Resilient. Unchanging.
Constant.
Coins and jewelry buried for years, centuries, remain intact. Truth be told, we don’t know how much gold the earth has.

It used to be the standard of finance. No more as we print a non-existent value. Fool’s gold. But November still governs by the gold standard.
Of that, there is no doubt.

It’s said in Heaven we walk on it. November gold holds but a glimpse.

Oh, and another thing. If you’re into those golden years, smile.

November wears gold quite well.
So should you! 🙂

And one last thing. On cloudy days I notice the gold is more brilliant against the stark, grey sky. It seems I’m surrounded by gold, gold, and more gold.

Gold everywhere!

So on the cloudy days of life, take heart. Like fire refines to gain pure gold, so you can stand more brilliant against those hovering clouds.
Just like November.

Seems I take more pictures in November more than any other time. I’m up runnin’ out early to catch the rays. And with holidays in full swing, how fitting The Weekly Photo Challenge theme is “yellow”. They did that on purpose to contrast the reds and greens of Christmas. For me it’s perfectly fitting as I wasn’t ready to let go of my November gold quite yet!

If you’re all snuggled in from the cold temperatures, how about I bring the “gold” from around “these thar hills” to you!

And so I present to you, November gold. The year’s finest achievement. Worthy of honor and distinction. Most valuable of all.

EnJoy!
Alexandria

All photos by yours truly, except the third. I introduce to you, Joshua Burgard, of Shadow Rest Ministries, who took this stunning shot of unexpected snow in early November. For more of Josh’s lovely shots, check out the Shadow Rest Facebook Page.

Other “yellow” posts I liked:
JPicks
Variety of Light
Love in the Spaces, Yellow Light
Still Life with Rubber Gloves

13 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on December 20, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life, Weekly Photo Challenge

Tagged autumn, photo essay, photography, thoughts, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on December 20, 2014

https://simplysage.org/2014/12/20/november-gold-at-its-finest/

Two Celebrations (featuring Guest Author, Steve)

Today there were two expectant parents awaiting the arrival of their son.
They both longed to see him. They have three other children and this will be the last. It will complete the family. What a blessing! Their love for him began at conception and for too long they had waited. He had to mature, it had to be his time, and finally the day had arrived.

My father died today.

In the blink of an eye he walked into the gates of heaven into the loving arms of his parents, his siblings, a host of aunts and uncles, and even a granddaughter all waiting to see him. He was literally born again. I’m sure my grandparents couldn’t wait to see him. I expect the anticipation is a lot like the day of his earthly birth.

Our perspective changes based upon our vantage point.
In sports, two people in different parts of an arena can see the same play and come to a different conclusion. To one, with their viewpoint and biases the player clearly scored. To another spectator with their own biases and a different vantage point, the goal was stopped. Both would swear to the correctness of their report.

Only one is correct.

So I suspect it is with death.

To those of us left behind, we call it death. It is a terrible separation that rips our loved one from us. We are left with that tremendous empty sensation that has no earthly solution. In contrast, to those in heaven it is a day of rejoicing as their loved one finally “slipped the surly bonds of earth” to “touch the face of God” (January 28, 1986 | President Ronald Reagan). The interpretation of the event is again controlled by ones perspective and vantage point.

Ultimately, the biggest perspective difference is our understanding of what happens to us after death.

It changes everything.
To those who believe that life ends here, death must hold a level of emptiness and pain that I cannot comprehend. For those like me who live in the hope of life eternal, death and its associated separation has less pain. This hope comes with the promise of reunion. Yes, we must endure separation, but ultimately there will be reunion.

In 2 Samuel 12:23, King David comments on the death of his son. He says: “But now he has died. Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” King David lived in the promise of life eternal as I do.

Although my father will not return to me, I will go to him and I look forward to our reunion. I suspect for my parents, my earthly death will look like birth from their new vantage point. So when you think about birth and death, unless you precede them in the latter, your parents celebrate both.

Ponder that a bit. It is truly wondrous.

Thoughtfully,
Steve

I Corinthians 15:19 “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

2 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on November 20, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in "My Thoughts" The Guest Author's View, Devotionals, My Thoughts

Tagged blogs about dealing with a terminal disease, blogs about death, blogs about heaven, death and dying, devotional writing, God, Heaven, helpful thoughts about dealing with illness, Is heaven for real?, photo essay, photography, Stephen Deal, thoughts, what happens when we die?

Posted by Alexandria Sage on November 20, 2014

https://simplysage.org/2014/11/20/two-celebrations-from-guest-author-steve/

Summer’s Last Stand

So it’s October.

Crisp temperature’s, rust-tinged leaves.

Time to finally bid summer goodbye.

The flowers, spindly and spent, yawn into a stretch,

“Can we finally stop? Isn’t is time for bed???”

“Sure, summer. Autumn’s arrived. Yep, I think it’s time to call it a day (season).
Goodnight, dear summer. Sleep tight.”

Yet, I was wrong as wrong could be,
As another stretched high her neck, towering above all.

And, what next???

Another blinked open her eyes!

Then another … and another … and another!
“Hmm … you remind me of someone I once knew, way back in time, known as “spring”.
But isn’t it autumn? You’re not supposed to do that!”

Of course, I said it with a wink and a grin. 🙂

“But what is all of this! Why all this!” I still wondered.

Tossing their woolly heads, they mocked, “Why, why, why all these questions!”
With a wink and a grin, of course. 🙂

So I, expecting more-of-the-same dearest autumn–my usual neat, tidy, predictable rows of life–I let go of more-of-the-same, and blink my eyes open to the unexpected.

Staring right back at me.

I feel outsmarted, laid bare in my ignorance. I thought I knew the next chapter–autumn. After all, it’s October! The calendar says it is autumn, well past September twenty-first it is!

It is autumn!

But it’s never the same, is it? Something is always different.

Nothing ever stays the same, but nothing ever arrives the same either. Every season has the final say and knows exactly when to shut their door and lie down in sleep.

Who am I to order, predict, and explain?

As visitors hearken my harvest-laden porch,

they cannot miss it.

And I hope they can appreciate that as much I tried to make autumn happen,

some things are just completely out of my control.

As is much of life.

But sometimes the unexpected is when joy shows its loveliest face.

Peace,
Alexandria

5 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on October 27, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life, Just For Fun, Time

Tagged autumn, photo essay, photography, thoughts

Posted by Alexandria Sage on October 27, 2014

https://simplysage.org/2014/10/27/summers-last-stand/

September Thoughts

A Beautiful Mind

“No one has yet realized the wealth of sympathy, the kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure.” ~ Emma Goldman

Ahhh … September—that time of reflection as summer winds down, school resumes, and autumn begins. It signals nature’s lingering slow dance, winding down and settling into its eventual winter rest.

Buried Treasure

“Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity.” ~ Aristotle

There is a natural rhythm that comes with September. The wild spontaneity of summer draws to a close, unfolding into the rhythm of routine. But throughout this meander isn’t there’s a bit of angst as we say good-bye to those lazy, crazy, hazy days of summer?

The Expert’s Secret

“An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field. ~ Neils Bohr

But there’s a fine jewel that September presents to ease the transition. It is the gift of our nearby friends, those we rub shoulders with through those months of work, school, and routine–a reconnection to those we haven’t seen all summer. As cold and winter set in they always keep us warm inside.

Welcome is Still the Word

“Nothing will work unless you do.” ~ Maya Angelou

Friends are a touch of love from heaven. If you think you don’t have any, then reach out and be one. I’ve heard it said “if you want to have friends, you must first be one.” I think that’s true. As a timeless commercial reminds us,

“Reach Out and Touch Someone”

Why not start today?

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou

Peace,
Alexandria

These are some thoughts that come to my mind this September. What about you?

2 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on September 28, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in Stay Close with Those You Love

Tagged autumn, Maya Angelou, photo essay, quotes on friendship, September thoughts

Posted by Alexandria Sage on September 28, 2014

https://simplysage.org/2014/09/28/september-reflections/

Inside the Thorns {A Poem for You Today}

When life gives you thorns …
“Lift your hands toward the holy place, and praise the Lord.” Psalms 134:2

When life gives you thorns …
“One of the most 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

When life gives you thorns …
“A single rose can be my garden… a single friend, my world.” ~ Leo Buscaglia

When life gives you thorns …
“Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses. ” ~ Alphonse Karr

Lo, How the Rose Enduring

Mystifying, life defying,
Wrapped inside the
deadly piercing.
Delicate, yet
Strong emerging.
Not weathered torn.

But …

Beauty dazzling,
Lightly rising,
Fragile petals,
buds reach praising,
Inside eye
of dreadful storm.

Shall we fare less
inside our thorn?

“When life gives you thorns, grow roses.” ~ Alexandria Sage

I marvel at the rose, how that beauty thrives with the near clutches of thorns. The life of this fluorescent beauty doesn’t just ho-hum grow up. It is pricked by those thorns it’s entire existence, yet it not only thrives, it blooms. Delicate and bold. Tough and tender.
As life pricks us, may we learn to grow–not hardened by hardship–but strong, malleable, generous, kind, compassionate–the qualities of true beauty.
Peace,
Alexandria

Poem by yours truly. 🙂
Photos taken with Nikon D60 with AF-S Nikkor lens 18-55 mm. No post-processing, editing, or cropping. It’s the same rose, different views.
Perspective matters, doesn’t it?