Green Again

Green Again, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

Photo: March 17

Little signs of green are showing, just on time for St. Patrick's Day. A day of rain brought the moss to life. And tiny shoots are beginning to poke through the just uncovered ground. I'm always on the lookout for signs of spring.

May 6/10: Nature Wins

May 6/10: Nature Wins, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Daily Shoot: Find a grid pattern somewhere-maybe a brick sidewalk or ceiling tiles-and make a photo of an interesting slice of it.

We people think we can conquer nature. We pave it, poison it, drill, dam and do all sorts of things to prove we are masters, but the forces of nature win (and sometimes lose as a result). It has been proven lately with the results of the volcano in Iceland which now controls air flights at its whim. In the Gulf of Mexico, the pressure of the underground oil has had devastating effects.

In a small way, nature is taking over my walkway. Little plants take hold wherever they can. I secretly delight in their tenacity hoping that man's naive notions that we can dominate the planet will change and we will start to try to live in harmony.

Day 234: Mossy Temple

Day 234: Mossy Temple, originally uploaded by susanvg.

This moss covered temple sits on my patio. The very damp summer has provided a thick covering, like a fancy hat. When I moved into my house over two decades ago, the temple greeted me. The former owner had created a very zen space. I admit to not spending a lot of time sitting out back. Somehow, there are always things to do, the wasps are whizzing around or the weather is not conducive. But I enjoy looking out as I eat my meals.

The local squirrels enjoy perching on this temple to eat the horse chestnuts they snatch from my neighbour's tree. They leave the dropped shells as offerings to the temple gods.