Nova Scotia

Arrived in French Village, Nova Scotia (south shore), yesterday. A serious road warrior the past couple days. Yesterday I was in 5 states and 2 countries in crazy blinding rain. Today I continued to deal with rain, but not as insane. When the rain let up, I jumped out and took photos. I'm thrilled that fog seems to be a Nova Scotia specialty (along with the rain, not so good). Rumor has it sun is in the forecast for tomorrow, and 70 degrees! Wow! Staying in a house overlooking St. Margaret's Bay that empties into the Atlantic. It was once the lighthouse keeper's house. I feel a deep connection to the sea here.

view from the former lightkeeper's house where I'm staying

New Brunswick coast, shortly before I got to Nova Scotia

quick shot in the rain, somewhere near Moncton Nova Scotia

St. Andrews, near the Bay of Fundy as one can see from the tides

near the Bay of Fundy

fog - there will be more!

I'm making a serious attempt to catch up on my blog today. Mostly because an artist friend, whom I love and respect, suggested that if I were going to have a blog I needed to post in it. Yes, right! So I'm rescuing my blog from its dormant phase. I had thoughts of starting a new blog, but since that's not happening, I'm plodding along with this one.
This week was a mix of sun and a stretch of dreary weather. Occasionally I capture some fantastic photos on those bleak gray days. Here are a couple from this week.

Mist on the Delaware River - in-between the rain showers

Smoky mist on the Pepacton Reservoir - surreal

A trip to my favorite place, Block Island, mid-October. Quiet time of year with most stores/restaurants/hotels closed down after a busy season.
I've been going to Block Island for years, but never tire of its beauty. It's usually just me, my bike, and my camera. And the sea with the salt air, the bluffs, the endless stretch of beach. It's all I need.
A challenge to photograph this small island again and again, but I always  seem to find something different. My happy place.

Solitude

The bluffs

sea crest

offshore wind farm - only one in the country, now up and running on the Block!

I have a thing for these beach fences.

I wrote this piece the end of October. Finally posting...

I rarely discuss anything deeply personal on my blog. Sometimes there must be exceptions. My mother, whom I loved with every ounce of my being, died on October 16th. I flew down to her home in Florida a couple weeks ago to say my final good-bye. Hardest thing I've ever done. She took my hand,  seemed to know she was leaving soon. Her last words to me were, "I guess this is our final good-bye." Although dementia had taken over, she said my name and yes, she knew me, if only for a moment. I broke down when I left the room. The finality was overwhelming. Loving her so much and knowing she was leaving forever was too much for my heart.
I wanted to stay with my mom in FL, but no one knew how long she'd hang on.  She had 'almost' left us a few times and then rallied. Her doctor said she'd probably live anywhere from a week to a month. She died less than two weeks after I left.
I went back to work after a week in Florida. My work is with small children as a therapist and they also need me. Tough call.
My mom was once my my best friend. When I knew her death was imminent, I went to Block Island in search of peace. It is a place I've visited countless times over the years. I would've called my mom when I arrived on the island as always I did in the past. She often seemed to live vicariously through my little adventures.
My mom loved the sea and gave me the gift of knowing and loving the ocean. Every year she took our family to a beach in Virginia for a vacation. I have memories of a lovely cottage surrounded by sand and endless hours swimming/playing in the sea. Wonderfully happy times. I remember being in the ocean with my mom. She would carry me in her arms when I was a small child way out beyond the breakers. No fear for her and she instilled that in me. I still often swim out beyond big waves with reckless abandon.
Like the sea, there is an ebb and flow to my grief. At times it comes crashing over me and I feel as if I'm drowning. I'm brought to my knees. Then there are times where it's a gentle flow and I know I'm going to be alright. I sense my mom is still with me, in a better place.
Today's blog is for my mom. I will miss her always.

“I thought of you and how you love this beauty,
And walking up the long beach all alone
I heard the waves breaking in measured thunder
As you and I once heard their monotone.
...

Around me were the echoing dunes, beyond me
The cold and sparkling silver of the sea --
We two will pass through death and ages lengthen
Before you hear that sound again with me.”
― Sara Teasdale

Block Island

Fall

“Summer's lease hath all too short a date.”  

― William Shakespeare, Shakespeare's Sonnets

First day of fall. Soon the colors. But first a few more summer photos. Not too many words today. I'll let the photos speak.

Summer fog and sunrise

Final curtain.  Last night of summer. Gorgeous yet bittersweet.

My work commute

View from my porch

Morning summer fog

Perhaps my favorite summer photo. This captures it for me. A spectacular summer!

Waiting for the moon.

Morning fog feeling somewhat surreal

This is where I spent most of my summer. It doesn't get much better than this. I am grateful.

It was pouring rain on my work commute, that kind of rain where you can't see anything and you know you better pull off the road. Which I did and caught this photo of the corn. Love this shot.

Summer 2016

My little weather station said it was 36 degrees this morning. Yikes! Summer is slipping away. I've put my blog aside for too long again. Time to fill in the missing gaps. Will attempt to capture some of the finer moments of the season, probably my best summer in years. Not sure why, but every day felt close to perfect.
I worked 3-4 days during the week and the rest of my time was spent at a friend's lake. Weather was somewhat tropical in nature, which made the lake wonderfully warm. Lots of swimming, sailing, paddling my kayak, rowing a gorgeous wooden rowboat, not to mention great friends to spend time with.  And those 'dock'tails along with late dinners while watching the sunset. Ah, summer!
More photos to follow in the next couple days.

Janet Marie on Swago Pond

Sunset afterglow, near Swago Pond

Sunset on Swago Pond. My summer happy place.

Barn across the street with summer flowers in bloom.

Cows across the street on a misty morning. Love my nearest neighbors!

Day's end on Swago Pond. Perfect.

Sunset, Delaware River, Callicoon NY

Wondering how to catch up with too much time away. I use my blog to document my photographs  so I feel like I need to go back to Maine. Which was in April. Never too late, I guess.
Maine is my favorite state and this was my second year in Rockport. Stayed at the same place, but saw the area in a different light. And this year it even snowed one day! Wow. Magical. Here are some pics...

Spring snow in Rockport on Penobscot Bay

sunset afterglow from my motel room in Rockport

Maine coastline - love the rocks.

More Maine coastline, obsessed with the Maine coastline.

Pemaquid Point, one of my favorite spots in the entire world!

Ah Pemaquid Point. A privilege to be on your rocks alone when in just a few months I know these rocks will be overrun with tourists.

More Pemaquid.

and more..