Thursday, October 24, 2013

The trail opened back up . . .


"The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail.
Travel too fast, and you miss all you are traveling for."
- Louis L'Amour

Just follow the light, to the beginning of the trail.


The early bird fisherman catches the fish, and a beautiful sunrise at the same time.


The beginning of the trail, where your husband energizes for the day's trailblazing.


It's been some time since I've been on this trail....construction...(they say it was flood control)...
I've missed the the light here.


And these trees . . . they remind me how small I am.



I found this ONE dragonfly, where I usually see dozens and dozens. The construction consisted of tearing down very old mature trees, marsh, bushes, homes for wildlife, the very spot the dragonflies would pose for me . . . they destroyed hundreds upon hundreds of feet of pines, oaks, the home of the King Fisher's, the place I usually could find fall color. They did this in the name of money for some rich dude who needed fill dirt, and they sucked the fun right out of my trail. I cried all the way back to my car.


Order up . . . bird + bokeh = lots of happy! 


This was still here. Do you remember the red iron bridge. . . they moved it over 100 feet but . . .  the bird feeder, AND my swing are missing!


But then, sigh, I found this on the other side of that wooden foot bridge. More beautiful light and bokeh.
The small bokeh in this image is original, and then I took a photo of more (just) bokeh and
added it on top the the flowers for more dreaminess.

And now for some random . . . 

1. This morning I made my coffee with our Keurig coffee maker . . . that was free.
My daughters friend won it at graduation and didn't want it and just gave it to her.
Well, she is not a coffee drinker and although you can make hot chocolate with it too, she decided
it wasn't something she wanted to take with her to college.

2. But . . . I made coffee in the Keurig with the adaptor that allows you to use your own coffee.
I did the math. . . An average 10 cup Keurig pack for about $12 costs 1.20 per cup.
My coffee, freshly ground as I need it, is $9.99/lb. and I can get about 37 cups of coffee in the one pound.
That makes the Keurig coffee cups 4.5 times more expensive.
And then for more fun I figured out that my coffee, drinking on average 2 cups per day would last me
3.7 times longer, costs me only $3.78/week vs $16.80/week. That means I could go to Starbuck's and order 2 specialty coffee's and still have money left over.

3. Remember the Tersa Sphinx caterpillars from last week, both of those big ones have made a little magic and pupated! Now we wait.


I put some soil in the bottom of the container with some leaf litter and shredded paper towels
and they made these cute little nests, for a lack of a better word.


This one I was able to lift with out disturbing it too much. As the time gets closer
(takes about 2-3 weeks) I will remove the paper towels and most of the dirt and put a stick
inside so that they have something to dry their wings on.

4. Today, I'm going to take the plunge and order all my supplies . . . for making wearable art jewelry using my photos. And then . . . get really busy sawing, cutting, hammering, riveting . . . yep it's gonna sound like
Santa's workshop around here.

5. I went to sleep last night and when I woke up it was morning! Well, what I mean is,
that I didn't wake up in between and slept all the way through. THAT doesn't happen very often, and I seriously can't remember the last time. I feel like a new person! 

TGIF a day early my friends, have a stellar weekend!
Love, Kim


linking with Little Things Thursday, Random Five, Friday Finds, Friday Photo Journal



42 comments:

Kim said...

I love the birdy bokeh. Well, I love them all! I so enjoy coming to see what's up and inspiring in your world. You have such a way with both word and image.

Connie Smiley said...

Kim, I'm sorry about all the changes, but you found some remarkable beauty anyway. Those early morning shots, and the dragonfly, and the bokeh... Gorgeous!

Raphaella said...

Beautiful Images!

Barbara said...

Ms. Kim you are one amazing Lady you know that, that first image is a Wow for sure. I just want to keep looking at it.
Funny you were talking about the Keurig, because my daughter loves the Tullys french Roast and it is expensive in the little tubs for the Keurig and she has that little adapter so tomorrow I got her a pound of the Tullys for it because she keeps forgetting to buy it. Along with some other goodies of course. I know I just don't know how they can charge so much for those little pods. That is why I have the Grind and Brew Cuisinart for my Starbuck coffee. Too expensive for those little pods. Sorry, I was talking about you being amazing. hehe and you are. Love your work Lady

Brea said...

Thank you for your encouraging comments on my blog, Kim. I love the bird with bokeh shot here! Wow! I could really get into nature photography. Looks like you are!

Barbara Lewis said...

I learned a lot from your post today. Besides the enjoyable walk in the woods and the sunrise, I learned about bokeh and that you're a helluva math wiz! I need a new camera. I hope Santa has good taste!

Silvina Soave said...

Una belleza toda la serie!!!
Abrazos.

Suburban Girl said...

I LOVE your morning photos. I am hiking tomorrow, you inspired me!

Brenda said...

Glad you got back on your trail - even with its changes. Gorgeous sunrise images!

Tamar SB said...

Holy sunrise batman!!

Inspired By June said...

I'm so sorry about your trail. I would cry too. Your images are beautiful, as usual. Starbucks has lost a lot of business since I got my Keurig - love it! I buy the 24 packs for about $15 direct from Keurig or Green Mountain coffee, so it's about 62cents a cup :) A good night's rest can make all the difference! Have a blessed week!

Victoria said...

LOVE these photos!! that first photo is my favorite :)

great blog,too!

Jeanne said...

Lovely post kim! I am sorry that the place thta you love has changed so much. progress is snot always good, but happens in spite of us. I love your shot of the yellow flowers. Just gorgeous!

tiarastantrums said...

you must have been so happy the trails finally opened! I'm with you - I NEVER sleep through the night. If I get 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep - I feel like a new person! {so sad}

SKCPhotos said...

Lovely images. Just love the bird shot. Sorry to hear about your trail and all the destruction. My mom has a keurig machine and I loved using it when we were visiting her.

Andy said...

Wow! What a wonderful group of photos. Nature is abound in them.

Hootin Anni said...

That's great...love the fact that at least someone is sleeping all night long. It's been so long for me I can't even remember when. LOL

Love the stages of the caterpillar...super.

Oh, and read your profile on your sidebar...I'm in Corpus...my son lives in Houston. Small world.

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh your construction news made me sad to there is nowhere I would rather be then in the bush surrounded by nature. Your photos are beautiful.
Good luck on the wearable art it sounds amazing. With your beautiful photos you should have amazing jewelery. B

Kathryn Dyche said...

Nothing beats a good nights sleep. My heart would break with all the construction and loss on favorite trail too but glad you were able to find some solace there despite the destruction. Have a great weekend.

Snap said...

Kim, so sorry about the destruction of your favorite spot. You still found some real beauty there -- the yellow flowers -- wow! Always fun to see how your butterflies are doing ... a real nature education when I visit! :)

Anonymous said...

Glad you could get back to your favorite trail to enjoy the view and take pictures. Even if it changed, there is still so much nature and beuty to take in.

Yeah for good coffee and have a great weekend.

Latane Barton said...

You have such beautiful pictures. Sorry that your trail has been all messed up but you will find new things to enjoy.

Unknown said...

Amazing.....simply amazing. Your pics, your post, your refreshing words.......
I truly feel a sense of peace walking the trail with you today!

Sherri B. said...

What beautiful photos and thoughts...I'm so sorry about your trail being ripped apart. :(

I cannot wait to see your jewelry!! It sounds beautiful. Please share photos! And as always, I'm amazed by your caterpillar images - how fascinating that they used the paper towels to make a nest.

Rose said...

Beautiful photos...love the next to last...the yellow flowers most of all. But that dragonfly one is great, too.

Roxi H said...

so sad about your trail... no swing? that is the worst! Can't wait to see your sphinx and thank God for a good night's sleep! Have a great weekend.

Karen said...

Beautiful shots of your trail walk! The bokeh in that lost shot is awesome!

Gail Dixon said...

You still managed to find some beautiful captures on the trail. The brown thrasher is a handsome bird, posing nicely for you. Have a great weekend!

Veronica Roth said...

Beautiful images Kim. It looks like you had a wonderful time on your trail but it is sad that progress changes beautiful areas. I wish it wasn't like that.

diane said...

That dragonfly shot is AMAZING!!!
And the flower/bokeh shot .... DANG!!!
Absolutely stunning work.
Looking forward to seeing your jewelry ... hope you post what you make.
Enjoy the weekend!
Diane

hula-la said...

Beautiful shots! Can't wait to see your wearable art. Aloha

Anne Payne said...

I'm so sorry about the changes but your images are absolutely gorgeous!!!

Barb said...

Your photos of sunrise are spectacular. Too bad the trail was so changed. Loved seeing the pupae . The yellow flowers are perfect.

Anonymous said...

I love your photographic vision, Kim. It is really finely tuned and your images tell stories in such a compelling way. I love your love and commitment to nature too. It's not something pretty to take pictures of to you, that's evident!

Sharon said...

Beautiful bokeh! My favorite photo is the magnificent tall trees. Lovely. Interesting about your Keurig. I didn't realize you could make your own coffee. Good idea!

Unknown said...

Such Beautiful Bokeh here my friend. I am looking forward to seeing your Jewelry.

Hugs~

Adrienne said...

Such beautiful shots - I love the dragonfly...I'm fascinated by the variety! And as flying insects go, they are very happy to linger an pose for the camera ;-) I believe nature will win, and your path will find it's way back ... overcoming what man destroyed. It would kill me to loos the space where I walk - I feel like I know all the bends in the path...so I can imagine how it makes you feel. I just know you'll continue to find joy there and watch as nature makes her strength known!

Kmcblackburn said...

No, no, no, NO WAY!!!!! That first shot??!!??? I'm gobsmacked!

Nancy said...

Well, not very happy to hear about the destruction on your trail, but somehow nature will reclaim it all in time.

Beautiful images and will be excited to see the moth. You are amazing. :)

Anonymous said...

That bokeh sure is dreamy!

Cathy said...

Oh I read was sleeping though the night! I want that. Your photos are amazing and I see you are a math wiz too! I love the fisherman. xo

4 Lettre Words said...

That pic of the yellow flower is a true masterpiece!

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