Weekly Photo Challenge: Up (Encore)

On 04/23/201304/23/2013 By Kat at travelgardeneatIn Gratitude, Running24 Comments

The fresh snow compelled me to post a second response to this week’s Photo Challenge. After a busy couple of weeks of travel for work and family commitments, I have been feeling woefully behind on all fronts. Leave it to my favorite furry friend to convince me that I had time to get out last evening and find some beauty, once again, in the enormous fluffy snowflakes that coated the branches and added a fresh layer of white to surfaces we had hoped would be bare by now. Looking up at the trees, the gray skies transformed into a blank canvas for the natural beauty of the snow-covered treetops.

Going for even a short run, even if slow, even if sprinkled with breaks to stretch or walk, I reminded myself to be grateful for the ability to run. The tragedies of recent weeks were forefront in my mind as I jogged along the quiet, tree-lined path, thinking of those affected by the Boston Marathon bombings, the fertilizer plant explosions, and so many other daily traumas that don’t make the headline news, that forever change people’s ability to participate in the activities they enjoy, with the people (and furry companions) they love. Getting out for a run clears my head, puts life’s demands in perspective, and leaves my four-legged friend with a grin that is full of unburdened, infectious joy that often only a dog can express.

Snow-covered treetops

Happy lab on a snowy walk

Snowy branches decorating the gray sky

Rain, snow or shine — always time for a walk or run

Each branch painted in snow

Reminding me to be grateful for the run!

While snow was still falling as yesterday drew to a close, this morning brought the promise that Spring would not forget us this year — reminding us that Hope is always around the corner even on the darkest of days, as the sun shines with brilliant blue skies to brighten moods and landscapes alike.

Looking up at the promise of spring from my doorstep!

Blue skies smiling at me . . . nothing but blue skies do I see . .

~ Irving Berlin’s “Blue Skies”

Ciao! ~ Kat

This post was in response to the Daily Post’s Weekly Photo Challenge. ”Up” was this week’s theme. Everyone is welcome to join in the Challenge; further details on how to participate and links to others’ responses are found here.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Up

On 04/21/201304/21/2013 By Kat at travelgardeneatIn Life16 Comments

Looking up at the birch trees as twilight settles in at the cabin on a clear, fall night . . . As I stare at the treetops, I cannot help but think that the trees will come to life – imagine a scene from “Lord of the Rings” as the ents emerge from the still tree forms. Some seem majestic, some seem old and broken, others appear to be coming into their own as they reach to the sky.

“I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in Summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.”

~ Joyce Kilmer, “Trees,” 1914

Have you taken the time to look up at the trees on a clear night as the stars come out to play?

Ciao! ~ Kat

Ailsa’s Weekly Travel Theme: Up

On 01/18/201301/18/2013 By Kat at travelgardeneatIn Travel20 Comments

A person cannot help but look up when standing at the base of the classic icon of Paris – the Eiffel Tower!

Join in Ailsa’s Weekly Travel Theme at Where’s My Backpack? with this week’s theme of “Up.” Details on how to participate and other responses to this week’s theme can be found here.

Ciao! ~ Kat