Day 365 + 21: Autumn blooms

"Fall has always been my favorite season. The time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale." - Lauren DeStefano (Wither (The Chemical Garden, #1))

Project 365: #365 + 21

The wild autumn blooms are so pretty, lighting up the paths, as the bright greens from spring and summer have dulled and browned. The flowers are the beginning of the grand finale marking the end of the season and heralding the beginning of winter. With each week, there is a little more orange and brown in the landscape as summer fades away, just as the sun sets with beautiful colors, illuminating the world with a flash of boldness. The darkness that follows is a time for rest and rejuvenation to bounce back with the promise of new beginnings...a new day and a new season.

Day 365 + 20: Amazing trees

"Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth. They do not preach learning and precepts, they preach, undeterred by particulars, the ancient law of life." - Hermann Hesse, Bäume. Betrachtungen und Gedichte

Project 365: #365 + 20

I love the area we live in, it is thickly forested, and there are always the most amazing trees to see, each unique, and all responding without question to the change of seasons. This tree was one of the tallest I have seen, and seemed to go on forever. There is something mystical and reverent about trees. They  have been around forever, just watching and growing in wisdom. They have so much to teach us if we will listen; patience, steadfastness, protection, provision. If we remain still in the presence of their sanctuary, completely still, we can feel their life, and begin to grasp the ancient laws.

Day 365 + 19: Mt. Soledad Cross

"The Mt. Soledad cross. It is a goosebumps-inducing experience to watch the La Jolla sunset from here. It's like standing right next to the Creator of it all." - Faith Gonzalez

Project 365: #365 + 19

The cross marking the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial can be seen from far, and beneath it, there are the most remarkable views in all directions. This is a fitting place to honor both living and deceased veterans who have defended this beautiful country and the freedom of its people. The veterans honored here include those from the Revolutionary War to those fighting the current global "War on Terror." Creation can be absorbed in all its splendor here, and we can stand in awe of our Creator, while giving thanks for those who have secured our freedom.

Day 365 + 18: Forest floor on the trail

"Walk on a rainbow trail; walk on a trail of song, and all about you will be beauty. There is a way out of every dark mist, over a rainbow trail." - Robert Motherwell

Project 365: #365 + 18

The weather has seriously turned from summer to dark, dull and rainy overnight. We have even put off shutting down the pool in the hope that we can still swim, but all that is happening is that it has filled with leaves and dropped by about 20 degrees! Sniff! Anyhoo, despite the approaching gloom, there is still beauty about. The forest floor is alive with autumn activity. There is new fungal growth on all the fallen trees and branches. I love how creation continues in the circle of life, neverending and utilizing all available resources in true recycling!

Day 365 + 17: Monday blues

"Mondays are the potholes in the road of life." - Tom Wilson

Project 365: #365 + 17

This is how we felt about today...much easier to bury our noses in the blankets and hope Monday will go away! Today felt like a pothole, and obviously not just for me! Perhaps it is the change of season. Nevertheless, tomorrow is Tuesday, and the week will go on. We will pull ourselves together and appreciate each day for what it is and be thankful for the new beginning of each day!

Day 365 + 16: Blessing of the animals

"All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all."
Cecil F. Alexander (1848)

Project 365: #365 + 16

We had the Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis of Assisi with Grace Lutheran today, and what a lovely service it was. Lots of beloved pets, including dogs, puppies, a cat and a guinea pig! Of course, there was much excitement as Riley saw his besties, Ranger and Scout! Not sure that he understood the sanctity of being blessed, but nevertheless, blessed he was. I did not think I would manage the kitties as well. The kitty there did meow in unison through the hymn, and the birds in the trees tweeted merrily :)

"Prayer of Saint Francis for Animals:
God Our Heavenly Creator, You created the world to serve humanity's needs and to lead them to You. By our own fault we have lost the beautiful relationship which we once had with all your creation. Help us to see that by restoring our relationship with You we will also restore it with all Your creation. Give us the grace to see all animals as gifts from You and to treat them with respect for they are Your creation. We pray for all animals who are suffering as a result of our neglect. May the order You established be once again restored to the whole world. We ask this trusting in your love for the whole creation. Amen"

(Photo courtesy of the Grace Lutheran Mendham FB site)

Day 365 + 15: Marching under the stars

"You know, if I can survive marching band, I can survive anything." - Nellie McKay

Project 365: #365 + 15

This was our first experience of a marching band competition, which was awesome, except for the rain! If Nicole can survive playing the sousaphone in the marching band (especially in the cold and wet), she can definitely survive anything!! The performance of all the bands was spectacular, and it was amazing to watch the dedication and discipline within the bands. I am so grateful to her founding years at Collegiate Junior, and the dedicated staff throughout her school career for always encouraging and supporting her musical efforts.

Day 365 + 14: Yay, it's the weekend!

"Not for nothing is their motto TGIF - 'Thank God It's Friday.' They live for the weekends, when they can go do what they really want to do." - Richard Nelson Bolles

Project 365: #365 + 14

So excited that it is the weekend again, although I should not be wishing the time away. The weeks are so much of the same that it is nice to have a change from the routine on weekends. This photo is a throwback to a couple of weekends ago in San Diego...I would not mind enjoying sundowners with this vista...this would end a perfect day which began with the first Koeksister's tea after summer to celebrate a milestone birthday, catching up on all the summer news, and just enjoying the company of like-cultured friends! It is such a nice space to just be together with new friends sharing a common heritage, and an inherent understanding of each other and the ups and downs of moving from one's homeland. The day was completed with Good Company at church, where a nice homemade meal and fellowship was enjoyed by young and old, in the company of friends with common values, faith, and beliefs.