All posts tagged enjoy life

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/

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/

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/

The Time is Now!

As we celebrate another Christmas, memories of the past are a common thread woven through our countless conversations. We truly are wired to dwell on the past or dream about the future, aren’t we? The photo challenge this week prompts us to think of the “now”, the present. And so I thought I’d share a sweet moment I quickly captured.

After being fenced off from the gifts for an entire week, it was finally time! Now! The blockade was removed and my littlest grandson scurried a quick path straight to a different kind of “present”!

I hope you enjoy your “present”. And your presents, too!

And finally, may another kind of “present” fill your life.

The presence of Jesus Christ—Emmanuel, which means “God with us.”

Present.

Remember, His time is always “now“.

Peace and Merry Christmas!
Alexandria

4 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on December 27, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Devotionals

Tagged Children, Christianity, Christmas, Christmas reflections for kids, enjoy life, spirituality, the time is now, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on December 27, 2015

https://simplysage.org/2015/12/27/the-time-is-now/

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/

Moon Shadows and Silhouettes

DSC_0036Edit1

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” ~ Hilary Cooper

On a recent trip to the Smoky Mountains my husband woke me from a deep sleep to come look out the window. Both of us being somewhat “moon-chaser’s”, we are always dragging each other to the window when there’s a particularly eye-catching one. No matter how tired, neither of us can usually resist the urge to look.

“You might not want to miss that big yellow moon out there,” he tempted me. I sleepily thought to myself, Oh, stop–not tonight! I’m waaayyy too tired to drag the camera and tripod out. I’ll just get up and watch a minute and then drop back in the bed. And so I did. I peered out the window and he was right. I did not want to miss this. But, no pictures tonight. So I watched.

DSC_0032.Edit1

But not for long.

Unsure if my brain could even function with settings, I quickly grabbed everything and headed out to the balcony. There before me against a silhouette backdrop of mountains, the yellow deepened. Hmmm … Suddenly I woke up! And “click, click, click” away I went. Then, to my sudden surprise, it turned a brilliant orange! As I clicked away for a few minutes another phenomenon happened.

It turned deep RED! Then, guess who was dragging the husband back out of bed! Mind you, this took place in a span of only twenty minutes.

It hung there for a just few minutes before the earth’s rotation took it behind the mountains. As I dropped back to bed, I thought to myself, Oh, that was so worth it! Even if I don’t get a good photo it was so amazing! As you can see, I managed a few and each captures the color as it progressed. It was one of those that felt so close you could touch it!

But you know what really made this for me? This is the second red moon I’ve seen this year. I saw the real “blood moon” back in February. No, I did not stay up and plan. I was on my usual commute to work and as I made my way over a big hill on our country road, it stole my breath at 5 am. I pulled over for about a minute with my phone.

It’s certainly not a technical masterpiece, but I think the color says it all!

But with the most recent, what if I hadn’t taken the time? What if I dismissed it as “just another moon” and stayed in bed? Sometimes God has these little surprises for me and I miss them because I’m waiting for some “big thing”.

Isn’t that how life is? Aren’t we usually striving and looking for such big moments that we end up missing the momentary, smaller glories right in our midst? And mine are usually right in my backyard.

Sometimes I just need to keep my eyes open.

Peace,
Alexandria

7 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on August 17, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life, Weekly Photo Challenge

Tagged enjoy life, inspirational quotes, photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on August 17, 2014

https://simplysage.org/2014/08/17/moon-shadows-and-silhouettes/

Summer Love Summer

Summer: Welcome Is Still the Word

“Then followed that beautiful season …. Summer … Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape lay as if new, created in all the freshness of childhood.” ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The Weekly Photo Challenge theme is “Summer Lovin”, where we share favorite photos of what we love about summer–that wonderful break from a hectic year. Here are some of mine.

Summer Love: Beach!

“A simple life is good with me. I don’t need a whole lot. For me, a T-shirt, a pair of shorts, barefoot on a beach and I’m happy.” ~Yanni

Summer seems to carry a certain rhythm, doesn’t it? Here’s how mine goes: June jumps me in quick—no problem! July sets the pace. And August slows me down to linger a bit. But I just love it all.

Summer Love: Grill!

“I love the culture of grilling. It creates an atmosphere that is festive but casual.” ~ Bobby Flay

Yes, there is still the day job, housework, tending the yard and flowers. But there’s also time for friends and family, vacations, and those luscious outdoor holidays. And best of all, no school schedule for my grandson—yes!

Summer Love: Pool Time!

“The water is your friend. You don’t have to fight with water, just share the same spirit as the water, and it will help you move.” ~Aleksandr Popov

Here’s just a few more things I love about summer.

Summer Love: Front Porch Time with Me and “Fern” (Yes, You are Welcome to Join Us!)

“The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a summer porch with, never say a word, then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation that you ever had.” ~ Unknown

“Friends in your life are like the pillars on your front porch. Sometimes they hold you up and sometimes they lean on you. Sometimes it’s just enough to know they are standing by.” ~ Unknown

Summer Love: Lazy….(i.e. best known as “Rest”!)

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“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer’s day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” ~ John Lubbock

Summer Love: Flowers!

“I have lived pain, and my life can tell: I only deepen the wound of the world when I neglect to give thanks for the heavy perfume of wild roses in early June and the song of crickets on summer humid nights and the rivers that run and the stars that rise and the rain that falls and all the good things that God gives.” ~ Ann VosKamp

And last, but not least, my favorite quote of all:

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

Yes, I’m finding some respectability for myself this summer! Come, let us be lazy together. 🙂
Peace, Alexandria

Does your summer have a certain rhythm? Can you find a theme for each month? Feel free to share in the comments. I’d love to hear!

4 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on August 1, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life

Tagged blogs about summer, Children, come join us for summer fun quotes, enjoy life, family, friendship, fun, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, summer fun quotes, summer love quotes, summer photography, summer quotes, summertime fun quotes, Weekly Photo Challenges

Posted by Alexandria Sage on August 1, 2014

https://simplysage.org/2014/08/01/summer-love-summer/

Happy Birthday, USA. It’s Time to Shine!

“Fireworks had for her a direct and magical appeal. Their attraction was more complex than that of any other form of art.

They had pattern and sequence, colour and sound, brilliance and mobility; they had suspense, surprise, and a faint hint of danger;

above all, they had the supreme quality of transience, which puts the keenest edge on beauty and makes it touch some spring in the heart which more enduring excellences cannot reach.” ― Jan Struther, Mrs. Miniver

Yep, that quote would be me. Next to Christmas, the Fourth of July is my absolute favorite holiday. First of all, I love fireworks. Period. But I also love the way it draws my nation together. We have a complex history and a lot of problems, yes. But there is and there never has been a country like ours. Most of us learn and grow from our nation’s mistakes. Though very diverse, there is one thing of which we are in solid agreement: America is great.

If you’ve never visited you won’t understand. And if you live and grew up here, it’s so easy to take for granted. Think about it. In the history of nations, never has a country had freedom and prosperity like ours. Never has a country cared for the world like ours. Never has there been an economy like ours.

I don’t blame anyone for leaving their country of origin to come here. Many go through great peril and cost to do that. As a citizen, I just ask a few things. Please follow our laws and do whatever is necessary to become a citizen. Be honest. Work hard. And learn our history. Take a Civics class to learn how our government works. Be educated on our current events.

Don’t believe everything you read in the media. Investigate the facts. In other words, become a well-informed citizen and think for yourself. Don’t let anyone “spoon-feed” you. America will offer you and your children the best life they could ever have. And don’t ever take that for granted. I don’t know any American that does not welcome you if you do this.

Now, onto the fireworks! I cannot close without drawing attention to these photographs posted on Dan Pope’s Facebook page. He is a real top-notch photographer and friend of our family and I’ve featured him before. His link is on my sidebar. Dan is a fireworks nut like me. He captured these Friday night. And of all things, he caught this last one with a train rolling through. Nicely done, Dan!

In closing, I’m posting this link to a video of the Katy Perry song “Firework”, still an all-time favorite of mine on our Fourth of July. I think the words capture the human spirit quite well.

Shine everyday because–baby, you’re a firework!

9 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on July 6, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life, In All Things Do What Is Right First, In All Things Do Your Very Best

Tagged America, enjoy life, fireworks, fireworks photos, fireworks quotes, Fourth of July, Fourth of July blogs, fun, holidays, inspiration, Katy Perry you're a firework, photography, politics, thoughts, USA, what date is simplysage's birthday, writing, you're a firework

Posted by Alexandria Sage on July 6, 2014

https://simplysage.org/2014/07/06/happy-birthday-usa-its-time-to-shine-2/

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?

A great-grandpa that knows how to stay a child and builds something delightful.

“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

10 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on May 18, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life

Tagged Art, enjoy life, photo essay, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on May 18, 2014

https://simplysage.org/2014/05/18/reckless-reclamation-wpc-a-work-of-art/

Dances with Daffodils

“Awake, thou wintry earth
Fling off thy sadness!

Fair vernal flowers,
laugh forth Your ancient gladness!” ~ Thomas Blackburn

“O Love-star of the unbeloved March,
When cold and shrill,

Forth flows beneath a low, dim-lighted arch
The wind that beats sharp crag and barren hill,

And keeps unfilmed the lately torpid rill!” ~ Sir Aubrey de Vere Quotes, Ode to the Daffodil

“Friendship is a shiny thing, a steady beam of light
A lantern on a lonely street, a song far in the night

A smile, a touch of loving hand,
a quiet moment on a hill
And, oh, what a happy little child bringing home a daffodil.” ~ Unknown

“She turned to the sunlight
And shook her yellow head,

And whispered to her neighbor:
“Winter is dead.” ~ A.A. Milne

Like many this year, the street views outside my window have been winter barren in the most extreme sense of the word. The branches of my beautiful trees faced me everyday, some days covered with ice, some with snow, days filled with grey. And just when I thought they’d faced the worst, there came more. Storm after storm after storm.

My trees wear beauty in any season, any weather. But this winter, one of the worst ever, tested them. I’d peek out the window everyday and my stately trees stood staring, branches outstretched, as if to say, “When is enough? How long? This seems never-ending.” And me, warm inside, unable to soothe, joined their song of longing. It seemed to linger forever. They bore the stark beauty of winter proud. And we waited as one. Drawn in, still, preparing for the day of green. And then the day came.

Cold, frozen ground gave way to green, gave way to buds, gave way to these yellow lovelies pushing through, popping up out of the ground.

Yes, the days remained cold and windy and gray, but one day the sun shone bright. And I could no longer contain myself. Leaving a sink full of dishes, the rays irresistible, I ran out and joined all of them. I threw a blanket on that frigid ground and got under them, over them, and around them in a contortion of child’s play, smiling and laughing among a sea of yellow dancing. And hmmm … was that birdsong I hear? Ahhh … just a little more time, my friends, and we’ll be dancing with the sun on our back and spring in our step!

“Daffodils that come before the swallow dares, and take the winds of March with beauty … ” ~ William Shakespeare

This is but one view of life on my street. On the last post I promised you daffodils. As you can see, I kept that promise! I hope you enjoy. 🙂

Happy Spring! Alexandria

{Photos taken with Nikon D60 with Nikon DX AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm lens, in RAW mode. If you want any metadata you’ll have to contact me. Thought if you clicked on the photos you it might be there, but not so. I recently took another photography class and this is the first roll-out of photos using full manual mode and applying some of the new techniques. As per usual, there is very minimal, if any, post-processing–nary a crop except the first one. Most are completely untouched. What do you think?}

Other street views I enjoyed:
My Cyber House Rules
Beyond the Brush
Thoughts and Entanglements
Blogagaini
Depth of Feelings
Life in the Foothills
Find Later Photography

29 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on March 29, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life, Stay Close with Those You Love

Tagged enjoy life, flower photography, photo essay, photography, poetry

Posted by Alexandria Sage on March 29, 2014

https://simplysage.org/2014/03/29/dances-with-daffodils-street-views/

Me, My Selfie, and Someone Else

When I first heard “selfie” was the Oxford Dictionary’s “Word of the Year” for 2013, it struck me as odd. I remember first hearing the word from my tween grand-niece. I grinned and shook my head. Young, beautiful, fit, self-absorbed. Yep, no surprise there. Typical tween.

But the word for the Weekly Photo Challenge? Really? Isn’t selfie reserved for the above? The last thing I want is my façade out there for the world to see! Family and friends is one thing. But the great big internet world? No way!

You see, I am a grandmother. And has it escaped anyone’s notice the whole-hearted near-absence of grandmother selfies? Think about it. Can you really imagine a group of grandmothers taking selfies and plastering them all over the Internet?

I think it’s partly because we’re a bit more private. But let’s face it. Since most of us do not fit the above adjectives, we remain nearly absent on this self-portraiture that has taken the world by storm. (For heaven’s sake, even world leaders take selfies!)

But, the reality is the young are photogenic and few of us are. At least on the outside we are not. But please understand, we are totally okay with that. Though absent in the selfie realm, trust me—we are not absent.

We are most present. And extremely so.

Perhaps, more so.

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

The Christian Pundit: What a Christian Woman Knows About Beauty

10 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on February 12, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in Just For Fun

Tagged Children, enjoy life, family, fun, inspirational quotes, Me myself and someone else, photo essay, photography, thoughts, Thoughts about selfies, Weekly Photo Challenge, writing

Posted by Alexandria Sage on February 12, 2014

https://simplysage.org/2014/02/12/me-my-selfie-and-someone-else/

Fleeting Objects of Affection

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Sunsets, like childhood, are viewed with wonder not just because they are beautiful but because they are fleeting. ~ Unknown

Canon EOS 5D Mark iii Focal length 24 F number 2.8 Exposure time 1/6,400

If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older. ~Tom Stoppard

Did you know that childhood is the only time in our lives when insanity is not only permitted to us, but expected? ~Louis de Bernières, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows. ~John Betjeman, Summoned by Bells

For this set of photos I invited my dear “like-a-daughter”, Emily Morgan, to share some photos of her children. I’ve known Emily since she was a baby. Her mother is one of my closest friends since college and we spent a good portion of life raising kids together.

Emily blossomed into a loving mother of four adorable children (ages 6 and under!). She is also a talented photographer. She and husband, Andrew, have settled in Los Angeles, where Emily frequents the Pacific beach with these sweet little ones.

The beautiful photos above, captured in silhouette, drew my attention because they capture those fleeting moments of childhood. I’ll let Emily explain it in her own words.

“Hearing waves crash and children laugh are two of the best sounds in the world. The moment when your 6 year-old and the sunset collide and you happen to have your camera handy and are able to capture that fleeting moment to hold onto forever is truly special. The way I feel behind the lens of camera brings me to life, but the better gift is being able to hold onto that moment forever in a photograph.” ~ Emily Morgan

I am convinced that God gave childhood, not as moments forgotten or pined for, but to recapture it in our adult years, much as a photograph captures. So we would not forget to live each day with childhood eyes and wonder, to view every moment with passion and exuberance.

But what happened as we grew out of those wonder years? As adulthood seeped in, it gradually pushed out that wonder and we became grown-ups. Pushed by life and all it’s demands, the wonder nudged back and for some it fell off into the throes of deadly cynicism.

We could never have loved the earth so well if we had had no childhood in it. ~George Eliot, The Mill on the Floss, 1860

Maybe we can’t banter about as children every living moment of the day but can we not view each day with a semblance of wonder? And spend at least some moments of the day smiling, laughing, running, playing, even dancing?

Canon EOS 5D Mark iii Focal length 70 F number 2.8 Exposure time 1/8,000

With what eyes do you see the ocean above? Are they hardened by life’s demands, unable to drink its beauty … old? Can you not see this vast ocean is but one landscape to keep you young and filled with wonder? To heal you of the cynicism, which robs you of life itself.

Let the waters spray you with healing. Climb those rocks and perch up there. Listen to the words of Emily and let yourself collide with the sunset. After all, it hasn’t moved.

But perhaps you have.

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Experience the healing wonder of childhood … everyday.

Peace, Alexandria
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After a hiatus of bearing these four little ones, Emily is resuming her photography. I invite you to view her portfolio at www.emilymorgan.la
This is in response to the Weekly Photo Challenge with the Theme “Object”. The ocean is the landscape and the silhouettes of children are the objects. True objects of affection. 🙂

20 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on February 1, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life

Tagged Art, beauty, Children, enjoy life, family, fun, inspirational quotes, joy, photo essay, photography, quotes, thoughts, Weekly Photo Challenge, writing

Posted by Alexandria Sage on February 1, 2014

https://simplysage.org/2014/02/01/fleeting-objects-of-affection/

Welcome is My Word|Beginnings

“Where we love is home – home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

“One Word That Will Change Your Life”
The book title sparked my curiosity. One word? Really? The book’s been around awhile and I have to say, I like this idea. Instead of lofty New Year’s resolutions, it holds to a one-word theme for the year. Smaller actions center around that word. The smaller acts compound throughout the year, where the meaning of the word takes root and becomes the impetus for real, long-lasting change.

One word. So simple. And I love anything simple. The author recommends using the entire month of December to choose a word. Mine surfaced immediately.

Welcome.

It was certainly different from some of the other suggested words like joy, health, and patience. But I really liked it. I knew it was mine. And as I thought about it, I realized it was a pretty hefty word. In fact, I started to visualize other words like spokes on a wheel hub. Words like hospitality, cooking, decorating, and gardening. Such fun! I’m liking this! I envisioned thumbing through magazines filled with luscious gardens and yummy recipes. But other ideas surfaced, too. And that’s where it got hard.

Words like housework, unexpected dinner or overnight guests, digging in hard clay dirt, keeping the kitchen and great room cleared of surface clutter, keeping bathrooms presentable. Then there’s my love-hate relationship with the screened-in porch. Ugh! Those cobwebs and outdoor dust cling with a vengeance. And how can I forget the spare bedroom—that extra “space” meant to be space for overnight guests? Sometimes instead of a spare bedroom it turns into a spare-parts room, filled with assorted what-nots that have no particular space yet.

Not that I am a clean-freak, (am I?) But I do find myself filled with excuses for a lack of invitation to anyone outside my grown children and grandchildren because of one simple word–ready. I am not ready, or at least I think I’m not. Well, in my mind it’s more like not ready enough.

But another excuse really gnaws at me–invitation. I do not invite in an intentional way like I used to. Oh, I’ll throw out a “just drop in whenever”. But “whenever” turns into “never”, which never becomes “when”. Yes, the kids drop by on a continuum, but that even lends to another excuse. “My cup is full and there is no more room.”

But there is room. If I make room. You see, welcome is not just for others. It’s for me. And it’s good for me. It’s good for me to reach outside myself and into the world of someone else. To provide a comfy room for weary travelers. Have the neighbors over for dinner. Extend a listening ear. I can get so self-centered and forget that the blessing of my home was not meant just for me and my family. It was meant for others, for the world. I may not change the world, but my welcome may touch a life that will. “Welcome” speaks love and love is not love til it’s given away. May I live generous.

I am ready!

“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
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This is my contribution to the Weekly Photo Challenge with the theme “Beginnings”. Also, I’m wondering if you noticed the ferns at Christmas? It just happened to be a warm stretch so they got to come outside. Why not? 🙂
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My favorite “manuals” to stay welcome-ready. Time to pick them up again!
Once-A-Month Cooking by Mimi Wilson and Mary Beth Lagerborg
Dwelling: Making the Most of the Space You Call Home by Mary Beth Lagerborg

20 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on January 7, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in Time

Tagged enjoy life, family, inspirational quotes, joy, life, photo essay, photography, relationships, thoughts, time, time management, Weekly Photo Challenge, writing

Posted by Alexandria Sage on January 7, 2014

https://simplysage.org/2014/01/07/welcome-is-my-word-wpc-beginnings/

The Lesser Light|One Favorite Subject

“And the sun and the moon sometimes argue over who will tuck me in at night. If you think I am having more fun than anyone on this planet, you are absolutely correct.” ~ Hafez

The theme of the Weekly Photo Challenge is “One”, in which we are to focus on one subject. I chose one of my favorites, the ever elusive moon. In photography light is everything and for outdoor photography the light source is usually the sun. We look for certain times of day, angles, cloud cover, or clear. And the sun takes it from there. In fact, when you combine the best of these factors the sun really does all the work for you. Think sunsets and sunrise, the Golden Hour. An endless array of colors provide astounding results. No skills needed.

“The moon is friend for the lonesome to talk to.” ~ Carl Sandburg

But the moon is a different challenge altogether. For a great moon shot you have to really work at it. Photographers go through great lengths to capture the immediate presence and stunning glow the moon provides. Even then it is hard to capture the emotion of moment. You just have to “be there” and experience it for yourself.

“The moon is a loyal companion. It never leaves. It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us in our light and dark moments, changing forever just as we do. Every day it’s a different version of itself. Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light. The moon understands what it means to be human. Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections.” ~ Tahereh Mafi, Shatter Me

In the Bible the moon is called the “lesser light” (Genesis 1:16). It is too dim for cameras to mimic exactness, but for the human eye it holds not just brilliant beauty but deep, deep emotion. For some unexplainable reason the moon feels like a faithful friend. It provokes us to stop, quiet our busy minds, take a few deeps breaths and just relax. I don’t know of anyone that can gaze at a brilliant moonlit night and not feel a simultaneous sense of glory and comfort.

Tell me what you feel in your room when the full moon is shining in upon you and your lamp is dying out, and I will tell you how old you are, and I shall know if you are happy. ~ Henri Frederic Amiel

Perhaps it is the lesser light because of this very thing. We need a constant, unchanging reminder that we are not alone, that there is greatness and majesty tucked in our universe. A reminder of the presence of God through every dark night. And that is this lesser light.

The lesser light may take second place to the other grand luminary. But perhaps it is this very notion that makes it so human. And in this sense we see that our great God, by giving less, actually gave more.

Peace, Alexandria

“But even when the moon looks like it’s waning…it’s actually never changing shape. Don’t ever forget that.” ~ Ai Yazawa

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Related Articles:
Wenjie Zhang of LightSlant on how to photograph the moon
Weekly Photo Challenge: The Power of One, Travels and Trifles by Tina Schell
Clicky Chick Creates, Christmas Favorites

22 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on December 22, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Devotionals, Enjoy Life

Tagged Art, Christian devotionals, Christianity, devotional writing, enjoy life, Full moon, God, inspirational quotes, moon photography, photo essay, photography, quotes, spirituality, thoughts, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on December 22, 2013

https://simplysage.org/2013/12/22/the-lesser-light-wpc-one/

Leaf Layer

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” ~ Emily Bronte

“Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

“Autumn is the second spring when every leaf is a flower.” ~ Albert Camus

“Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.” ~ Elizabeth Lawrence

“Never say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore. There is always something to make you wonder in the shape of a tree, the trembling of a leaf.” ~ Albert Schweitzer
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Layers

13 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on November 16, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life, Weekly Photo Challenge

Tagged Albert Schweitzer, Art, autumn, autumn leaves, beauty, Emily Brontë, enjoy life, henry david thoreau, inspirational quotes, Leaf, nature photography, photography, quotes about autumn leaves, thoughts, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on November 16, 2013

https://simplysage.org/2013/11/16/layers-of-leaf-weekly-photo-challenge-layers/

November Surprise

I saw the lovely arch
Of rainbow span the sky,
The gold sun burning
As the rain swept by.
~ Elizabeth Coatsworth

Ah, November is now upon us. I tried to find some really sweet November quotes on the web, thinking I would find a lot of poetry and quotes depicting the glory of this great month. How shocked and depressing to find literature filled with so much melancholy and gloom.

I suppose in many parts of the world the climate lends itself to melancholy in November. Around here, as October slips quietly into the sunset, November carries on the work of autumn slow and magnificent. And for me personally, November is neatly sandwiched in-between the end of Indian Summer and the bustling holidays. When you think about it, don’t the holidays serve as a huge distraction as the bleakness of winter rolls in? We wake up in January and it’s like, “Wow, it’s winter!”

But back to November. While I sat perusing the poetry, how fitting a chilling rain should suddenly befall the midst of all the gloom and doom. Great! Dear November, you just confirmed what I’m reading! Stop the madness!

But suddenly, a voice shattered the madness. My husband was off in the back field calling to get my camera and come running. And to my great surprise, what I saw proved those writers and poets dead-wrong. What began my November was this glorious arch spreading over the sky. Yes— a RAINBOW! Far, far from melancholy. Oh, how I wish you could have been there! Just amazing.

Rainbows usually conjure images of spring freshness and oh, how writers praise, praise, praise the endless wonder, relieved to the nth degree that all the bleak and blah of winter is finally gone. But just to prove those highbrow writers wrong, nature decided to blast forth this November with a rainbow. No room for gloom this time!

So what do you think about November? Rather than leave it up to famed writers and poets, perhaps it’s now up to the world of everyday bloggers like you and me to change that reputation. Even if your climate is cold, bleak, and cloudy, is there not some glimmer of magnificence? You may not get a rainbow like I did but November holds plenty of surprise. It’s there, to be sure.

You might have to do some searching to capture the beauty in the bleak. But even in the worst of times, there is always a place, a space of sanity and glory, that silver lining of hope—possibly even a rainbow. With November ushering winter at our doorstep, together let’s find that surprise. I’m ready. How about you?

12 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on November 11, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life

Tagged beauty, Blogs about November, enjoy life, inspirational quotes, nature, nature photography, November, November quotes, philosophy, photography, Rainbow quotes, rainbows, thoughts, writing

Posted by Alexandria Sage on November 11, 2013

https://simplysage.org/2013/11/11/november-surprise/

November Thoughts | One Last Bling

“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.” ~ Jim Bishop

November is the month of my birthday. Which means it’s the time of year I purchase some special things I’ve wished for throughout the year. I usually add a few pieces to my wardrobe, buy a few kitchen gadgets, sometimes add a new piece of jewelry. Overall, it’s my month to do (or not do :-)) and get something special.

I know this sounds crazy but this year I purchased some very sturdy scaffolding. We are do-it-yourselfers and those extension ladders make me dizzy.

Plus, I needed some peace of mind. I am tired of holding my breath and nearly passing out when my husband or son-in-law climb to clean or paint the upper level of our home.

I know. A strange purchase. It was expensive and kind of blew my birthday budget but it’s truly what I wanted.

However, I still managed to secure some bling—but not the jewelry kind.

As autumn progresses in my part of the world, November emerges as the month of gold. It’s the bling I wish and wait for all year-long. It’s as if the trees wish me a big, happy birthday. The celebration goes on as they glitter and glimmer the whole month. It’s a nice, warm welcome to another year of life.

So I’d like to say thank you to my lovely tree friends for all the abundant bling. I feel dressed to the nines another year and now I’m ready to face winter.

November is truly a great month for a birthday.
😉
Alexandria

P.S. I would be remiss if I did not recognize two other “friends” who said good-bye this month. The last hydrangea and yellow rose. Thank you so much for lending your beauty one last time. See you next year!

“In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” – Albert Camus
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I enjoyed the November Bling at these places, too. Thought I’d share.
http://streetsofasheville.com/2013/11/30/novembers-last-days/
http://letsgolescophotos.com/2013/12/01/wrapping-up-30-days-of-so-much-thanks/
http://haikugesundheit.wordpress.com/2013/11/30/haiku-93-end-of-november-nablopomo-30/
http://johntharding.me/2013/11/26/photo-of-the-day-autumn-dazzler/
http://digger666.com/2013/11/22/leaves-of-summer-past/
http://digger666.com/2013/11/19/hidden-in-autumn-leaves-by-takk-b/
http://thesirenstale.com/2013/11/17/the-years-last-loveliest-smile/
http://kittnoir.wordpress.com/2013/11/11/sunset-on-autumn-gold/
Weekly Photo Challenge: Let There Be Light

7 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on November 5, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life, Just For Fun

Tagged autumn, autumn photography, bling, enjoy life, family, inspirational quotes, November, November Photography, photo essay, photography, quotes, thoughts, writing

Posted by Alexandria Sage on November 5, 2013

https://simplysage.org/2013/11/05/november-thoughts-one-last-bling/

Beyond the Imagined | Horizon

“Never look down to test the ground before taking your next step.

Only he who keeps his eye fixed on the far horizon will find the right road.” ~ Dag Hammarskjold

“Water has an endless horizon; there is no limitation when you look out into the water.

There’s nothing to interfere with the mind’s eye projecting itself as far as it can possibly imagine.

I suppose it’s the same way people in the Midwest feel about watching amber waves of grain or endless rows of cornfields. There is something exhilarating about it.” ~ Billy Joel

“We praise the day and and stand in awe of the night. However, sunrise and sunset live as the union of the two–a marriage formed by day and by night, a reminder that even the world was made to come together. Like love, it is something our hearts can experience, while the mind will never fully understand.” ~ Sean M. Smith

When I leave my day job I walk to the top level of a parking garage to get to my car. Usually well into the evening, I’m greeted by a sparkling city-night skyline. After a hard day of work, it’s exhilarating. But there’s something else in the parking lot that greets me as well—a barely noticeable very slight bump in the middle of it. And you know what? Not a night goes by that I don’t trip over that bump. You know why? I can’t take my eyes off that beautiful city skyline. I do it nearly every time.

It reminds me of my life. In my attempts to stay focused on the big picture sometimes I falter and trip. You see, when your eyes are on the horizon that can happen. But if I focused on that bump in the parking lot I’d never look up to see the beauty of the skyline. Horizon is what I chase everyday. Don’t we all?

Few experiences in life exhilarate like the horizon. Whether yours is a city skyline, an expansive ocean, or a sprawling cornfield, the bumps are worth it. Unless you like standing still.

Peace, Alexandria
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Weekly Photo Challenge: Horizon