All posts tagged photography

Change, Certain as the Seasons | Weekly Photo Challenge: Transition

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And so we are deep into Autumn— glittering, majestic autumn. And as I ponder nature’s stunning finish, it’s that time where I do some real hard thinking about the past year. The transition is so rapid from day-to-day that if you wait you’ll miss that particular color or hue. And as fall dozes into winter I think about my soul; how the seasons mirror my own rhythm. The time for reflection is upon me.
Autumn.

Fall Dozes

And then winter.

Winter Sleeps

DSC01300. StormScapesIII

As nature curls into hibernation, it seems I do the same. The transition into winter begins here with the holidays.

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But once the tree and tinsel are down and tucked away, so am I. Oh, there’s plenty of work to do; my home, family, and job. But with no deadlines or travel my soul goes into a hibernation of sorts; rest. Just pure, glorious rest.

Right now I live in a place where seasons change. I lived in the American desert southwest for a brief period. Though it possesses an outrageous and incredible beauty, I missed the changing seasons. Once you get used to those rhythms your soul ever longs for them. We’re always ready for them, aren’t we?

Spring Sings!

But there’s something else about the seasons that fills me with something bittersweet. Because with those rhythms comes the certainty of change. And I don’t like change. I wish everything to stay as is. But “there is a time for each matter under heaven” and I know God has his hand in every aspect of my life—blessings and difficulties. Difficult times will come, but there are many good things surrounding me, too.

Oh, life–the blend of trial and blessing, seasons filled with change. Remembrance of last year fills me now with warm nostalgia. Things have changed this year and some changes I don’t like, but some I do.

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Summer Shouts!

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As I look at my sweet grandsons I wish so hard they would stay children. But they won’t.

As I relish their moments of childlike delight I wonder, will they have this much fun next year? I cling a little tighter to these moments and to them, all the while knowing they both slip from my grasp.

Why do I resist change when I know change is certain? Why does change fill a corner of my heart with an unsettling angst? I cry against it to no avail and it comes anyway. Why can’t I be like nature, welcoming with open arms, and just settle into it quite nicely, ready for the next? Yes, change is certain.

But there is a certainty of which I’m glad there is no change.

“I the Lord do not change.” ~ Malachi 3:6

First Voice

Though God set into motion seasons of glorious nature, he exempted himself from change. This truth abides. This is the certainty I most need. I need his constant grace, mercy, and forgiveness. And he gives all. His love and mercy are the same—when we fall, when we stand. His hand is ever there to walk us through storms or meadows.

Within the unexpected turns of life He knew we needed–I need–a constant something.

Or rather—Someone.

And I’ve never been out of His hand.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” ~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” ~ Lamentations 3:22-23

This is my interpretation for the Weekly Photo Challenge with the theme “Transition”. I hope you enjoy. 🙂
Peace, Alexandria

1 Comment

by Alexandria Sage on November 29, 2015 • Permalink

Posted in Devotionals

Tagged autumn, autumn reflections, Christian devotionals, Christianity, God, photo essay, photography, reflections

Posted by Alexandria Sage on November 29, 2015

https://simplysage.org/2015/11/29/change-certain-as-the-seasons-weekly-photo-challenge-transition/

Best Buds |Weekly Photo Challenge: My Happy Place

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

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

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

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

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

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

or that ever elusive butterfly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

drowning in life’s demands,

and kind of hanging by a thread,

or in need of a hug;

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

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

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

Peace, Alexandria

2 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on October 21, 2015 • Permalink

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

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

Posted by Alexandria Sage on October 21, 2015

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

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

Relaxing in the screen grid

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

Grid bench, where I enjoy my favorite flower.

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

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

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

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.”

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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/

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/

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/

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/

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?

6 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on September 26, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in Take Care of Yourselves - Body and Spirit

Tagged beauty, flower photography, photo essay, photography, poems about difficult times, poems about endurance, poems about life, poems about roses, poetry, rose photography, Visual Poetry

Posted by Alexandria Sage on September 26, 2014

https://simplysage.org/2014/09/26/inside-the-thorns-a-poem-for-you-today/

On Top of the World!

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“An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly considered. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered.” ~ G.K. Chesterton

Perched on the balcony I watched all day long. In the morning the boat arrived. The crew worked in a methodical manner to ready the day and after some time the gigantic rainbow sail would finally hoist. Then back and forth across clear blue ocean, sunlight glistening, they’d fly. A beautiful sight. Exhilarating. Peaceful.

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Determined to get away for a few days, our plan was to do nothing … sit on the balcony, stare at the sea, sleep, maybe read. So I lazily sat, sipping coffee, and enjoyed the view. I brought the camera yet had no great ambition. But I couldn’t resist a few captures of the sight before me.

Why not hone my telephoto skills a bit? They were a good distance and since doing nothing was pretty much the goal, I had nothing better to do. Zooming in, however, my interest piqued as I watched. I was taken aback at the skill and finesse of the crew, the size of the sail and cables, then how easy they make it look!

“Flying without feathers is not easy; my wings have no feathers.” ~Titus Maccius Plautus

I couldn’t help notice the grace with which they lifted off, one, two, three at a time. So rhythmic as the sail climbed higher, and higher. So high. Until …

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they were walking on top of the world!

So the next day I handed the telephoto to my husband. Out the door I scrammed, leaving him a few instructions and Auto Mode. 🙂

Next thing I know …

“The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious. And why shouldn’t it be? – it is the same the angels breathe.” ~Mark Twain

I’m not only on top of the world.

“I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things.” ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I think I went higher!

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt

So much for doing NOTHING!

When once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return. ~Leonardo Da Vinci

Many “mahalo’s” to Randy, Mark, and the crew at Aloha Watersports in Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They are an excellent parasailing crew, also offering banana boat rides, bicycle rental, and surf-related sports. You cannot find a better bunch of folks. Hospitality and professionalism all wrapped up into one. For a regular dose of beach photos and fun click here for their Facebook page. If you’re vacationing or in the area, give them a call! (843) 249-9908. You’ll be glad you did.

As you can see, I’m hooked! I suppose you could call it “love at first flight”. 🙂

Randy with some young visitors.

Captain Mark giving another beautiful ride.

Moon Shadows and Silhouettes

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“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.

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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/

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/

Love, With a Twist

When you look at me
What do you see?
Branches random,
Unchosen tandem?
Nothing clever.

Space distress
Of leaves and mess?
Unlike attraction,
More like distraction!
Whatever!

Why on earth,
of all the space,
Did God place
you here?
Wish you could just leave,
Whenever!

But we are stuck.
Like glue, we are stuck!
Perhaps a wind may unabate
And maybe we can separate!
Forever!!

I am strong
Without you.
I don’t need you.
Never
Will I need you,
Whatsoever.

{And so the big wind
It did come.
And so it did come unabate.
But it did more than separate.}

Oh nooo!!! Hold tight!!!
Don’t let go!!!!
Please,
Don’t let go.
And don’t go.
Stay.
And don’t go away

Ever!!!

“Love lives in the myriad of imperfection and thrives because of its ability to prevail despite its inability to prevail perfectly.” ~ Alexandria Sage

Weekly Photo Challenge Theme: Twist I hope you enjoyed my twisted poetry. 🙂 Peace, Alexandria

Other favorites:

Vastly Curious (Help appreciated if you can figure out what kind of flowers Vastly Curious posted. Simply gorgeous!)
Jay’s iPhone (Stunning night photo with an iPhone)
Twists in Nature (Ahhh … I am not alone in my tree metaphor!)
Twist (No Meteor Shower) (Yes, no meteor shower but still a “stellar” post)

7 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on May 30, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in Just For Fun, Remember--You Are Loved--No Matter What, Stay Close with Those You Love, Weekly Photo Challenge

Tagged fun, inspiration, love, love with a twist, photo essay, photography, poems about love, poetry, tree metaphors, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on May 30, 2014

https://simplysage.org/2014/05/30/love-with-a-twist/

EverSpring

“Everything is blooming most recklessly; it it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters of Rainer Maria Rilke

After the darkest, frigid, snowiest, iciest winter I think I’ve ever endured, finally came the day when spring began its gradual, grand entrance.

“It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want — oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” ~ Mark Twain

And it seems one of the most beautiful I can remember. The flowers are abundant, dripping in buds, and more colorful; the grass greener and lusher than I think I’ve seen in years.

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” ~ Anne Bradstreet

And my soul mirrors the unfolding—my song called hope.

“Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.” ~ Virgil A. Kraft

I’ve endured many winters. But not just the season called “winter”. There’ve been other types of winter, winters more unbearable than the actual season. They are winters called “heartache”, “loss”, “tragedy”. And when you think about it, these winters can hit at any time.

“That God once loved a garden we learn in Holy writ,
And seeing gardens in the Spring I well can credit it.”
~ Winifred Mary Lett

Tragedy knows no season, no night, or day. Blustery winds and downpours rush in with no forecast, no warning. Blizzards can chill your heart any day, any time.

First Rose of 2014

“The beautiful spring came; and when nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” ~ Harriet Ann Jacobs

But spring reminds us there is always hope, that “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” {Lamentations 3:22-23}, and that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.” {Psalm 46:1} and “when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.” {Isaiah 43:2}

So welcome spring with its promises of hope. Real hope springs from the Eternal One, and yes, it does take faith to turn to God. But He is the EverSpring that arrives in the midst of every winter. He really does show up.

Peace, Alexandria

This is my contribution to the Weekly Photo Challenge with the theme “Spring”. Though some of my perennials did not survive, others returned with a force so powerful that each day takes my breath away. I’m out taking lots of photos so I’ll be sharing Spring with you the weeks to come, maybe into summer. 🙂

9 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on May 4, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in Devotionals, Enjoy Life, Weekly Photo Challenge

Tagged Christian devotionals, Christianity, flower photography, God, inspirational quotes, photo essay, photography, spring quotes, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on May 4, 2014

https://simplysage.org/2014/05/04/everspringwpc-spring/

Quiet Street, Busy Land

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Yep, this is what I call “my ‘hood”. 🙂
Street Life in the Country

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Photos taken with Nikon D60, various lenses, Sony Cybershot, Pentax, iPhone 4 and iPhone 5. Deer photos taken inside through a window–sheer luck 🙂
Hope you enjoyed the slideshow format for a change!
(Note: If you’re using the WordPress App Reader the slide show will not work. At least it didn’t for me. Try a regular web page. Good luck!)
Peace,
Alexandria

14 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on April 4, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in Enjoy Life

Tagged beauty, family, nature photography, photography, Weekly Photo Challenge

Posted by Alexandria Sage on April 4, 2014

https://simplysage.org/2014/04/04/quiet-street-busy-land-wpc-street-life-2/

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/

Perspectives in Paradise | It’s Snow Fun Without You

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

“Travel is treacherous. Do not drive unless absolutely necessary.” The words blared from the weather alarm that morning. The pelting snow and ice swooping down in the night continued, unrelenting through the day, swaddling nature tight in a blanket of ice-covered snow. Suddenly, we found ourselves trapped at home. Our narrow, dipping country road gets little help in weather like this. A few brave souls make an attempt, but the few soon dwindle to none. No way in. No way out.

The next day, the sun burst forth but nothing could melt in the frigid air. Snowed in and unable to travel, I did the next best thing. I went outside to play. I took my four-wheeler out to ever-so-slightly disturb the pristine white and take in the sight. I had two-hundred grand, glorious acres all to myself.

With my sled strapped on, the ice-covered snow made for a fantastic slick ride down a nice hill. The climb back up tested endurance but the thrill of the ride was so worth it.

My husband worked away in his shop that borders the property, keeping a watchful eye lest cardiac arrest should befall me. 🙂

After sledding I rode the land and savored every moment. The great snow-covered expanse was breathtaking.

As I crunched through icy fields the golden hour of sunset seeped in and the snow suddenly appeared as a great sea. With the layer of ice, the light glistened in spectacular array. I snapped photos, trying my best to capture the sparkly dance.

It all sent chills through me—this magical moment where snow becomes sea and sunlight glints wildly. As I hopped back on the four-wheeler I finally turned around and another sight stopped me dead in my tracks. Literally.

Before me was a gorgeous full moon lit up by the remaining rays of sun. My jaw dropped in disbelief. To my right was the sunset. To my left was the moonrise. I must admit it appeared they might be in competition as to who could astound me the most. {Can you imagine how it feels to be pulled in a tug-of-war between the sun and the moon!}

The sun was generous and cast just enough light to capture the moon in brilliant detail. Hmmm … this is not competition. Looks more like a perfect choreographed dance. To make a moment. A moment, perhaps, for me?

Moonrise at Sunset

After a few more photos I sat in total awe, inhaling both scenes before me. Perched between the sun and the moon, the greater and lesser lights of the world shined bright, so it seemed, for me. For me alone. But I couldn’t hoard this all to myself so I hoped someone else on this great big earth was beholding the same sight. My pictures give but a glimpse but I hope you can see.

Sunset on the Moon

With my senses in heightened exhilaration I slowly began to experience one of those rare moments where this sort of wondrous squeeze happens in the heart. You know what I’m talking about. Your eyes begin to well up with tears and there is a tightness in your throat. Your mind is empty of words because there is none to describe.

My faith tells me it’s a touch of heaven—from my Maker. I imagine this is what the Bible means when it speaks of God’s still, small voice. Here, in this moment of wordless void, I think I can finally hear. It is but a whisper. One word.

Moonrise

Comfort. Comfort—that soothing solace tucked within, that there is Someone so great and so amazing who’s brushed the world with a wild beauty that strokes and soothes a weary heart.

And as the earth spins longer and my earthly days grow shorter I find the greatest treasures are moments like these, when the divine splits my world and reminds me God is surely in this place.

And if He is in this moment of magnificence, then isn’t He with me in the moment of heartache?

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” ~ Psalm 19:1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is my contribution to the Weekly Photo Challenge with a theme of “Perspective” As you can see, there are several photos that give various perspectives of the landscape, sun, and moon. I’ve done the best I could to share this moment with you. I hope you enjoy and feel a touch from heaven as I did.
Peace, Alexandria

15 Comments

by Alexandria Sage on March 9, 2014 • Permalink

Posted in Devotionals

Tagged Christian devotionals, Christianity, full moon photography, God, photo essay, photography, sunset photography, thoughts, Weekly Photo Challenge, writing

Posted by Alexandria Sage on March 9, 2014

https://simplysage.org/2014/03/09/perspectives-in-paradise-its-snow-fun-without-you/

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.